It is difficult to provide an exact timeframe as it can range from months to years. As a person with a high tolerance continues to drink heavily, their body adapts to the presence of alcohol. After ongoing heavy use, the body may develop a physical dependence. A person with a dependence may go through withdrawal symptoms without a certain level of alcohol in their body. When the normally high level of alcohol in a person’s body begins to drop, they may feel physically ill. They may only feel well when they maintain a consistent level of alcohol in their bloodstream.

Although many people are tempted to make other major life changes during this stage of recovery, such as changing jobs, experts recommend focusing energy on stopping drinking for at least the first year. Although death is inevitable, the drinker might have a chance of a better life once they decide to quit drinking and seek medical attention. Drinking starts early, gets them through the day, and most certainly, ends the day.

In Which Stage of Alcoholism Does the Drinker Face Serious Health Problems?

Alcohol withdrawal is the most dangerous form of withdrawal, and it is important to seek medical help during detox. A medically-assisted detox will help you stay as safe and comfortable as possible, giving you the best chance of success and making the entire experience more comfortable. Alcohol can cause depression and anxiety or enhance them if they are already present. While this might not seem connected to end-stage alcoholism initially, depression can lead to suicidal thoughts, especially as it worsens. These thoughts can eventually cause someone to take action, leading to a successful suicide attempt.

After stopping drinking, which is the first step in any treatment of ALD, an assessment will be made as to the extent of the damage and the overall state of the body. Most people will not experience https://ecosoberhouse.com/article/cognitive-behavioral-therapy-cbt-for-addiction-and-substance-abuse/ symptoms in the early stages of ALD. Some may experience mild pain in the upper right side of the abdomen. Though rare, liver cancer can develop from the damage that occurs with cirrhosis.

What Happens to the Body During End-Stage Alcoholism?

End-stage alcoholism is the final stage of alcoholism, when serious mental health and medical issues are beginning to appear. Kari began working as a professional in the chemical dependency field in 2015, in the roles of Behavioral Technician, House Lead, and then a Substance Abuse Counselor. Kari has been affiliated with Hemet Valley Recovery Center since 2020, and currently serves as a Chemical Dependency Counselor and Case Manager for the Acute Detoxification and Partial Hospitalization programs. She is currently working on her degree in Psychology to better serve the growing number of co-occurring needs of those suffering from the disease of addiction, as well as experiencing mental health issues.

• Detox programs can last anywhere from a few days to a couple of weeks.
• The damaged liver can cause other complications in the body since it is a vital organ.
• It can cause the liver to gain fat and become inflamed; this leads to liver damage.
• While the early stages may have no symptoms, later stages can cause symptoms such as fatigue, swelling in the hands and legs, jaundice, loss of appetite, and weakness.
• End-stage alcohol addiction can impact every part of your life.

You can also find free AA Meetings all over the world, and even online. If you find the 12 Steps helpful during treatment, you can keep going to meetings after you leave rehab. Residential treatment usually lasts at least a few weeks to a month, but it can take longer. If you need more structured support after rehab, you’ll have several options for aftercare. For example, you could attend an intensive outpatient program (IOP) or move to a sober living home.

Seeking Help and Hope for End-Stage Alcoholism

The heart is being damaged by alcohol while the alcoholic is still drinking. If the alcoholic happens to stop drinking for any extended period, the autonomic nervous system causes the person’s heart rate to skyrocket. Since the heart is already likely in poor condition, there is a significantly increased chance of a myocardial infarction or heart attack.

Because alcohol places a significant strain on the liver, people who suffer from alcohol use disorder often suffer from serious and even deadly liver diseases such as liver cancer and cirrhosis of the liver. This is because long-term alcohol abuse damages the liver, and an estimated one out of every two Americans who have liver disease or end-stage liver failure are either active or recovering alcoholics. Alcohol use disorder, or AUD, is one of the most common mental health issues1 in the U.S. Before you can develop late-stage alcoholism, you’ll show much earlier signs of AUD.

Stage 1: Early-Stage Alcoholism

The psychological component of addiction does not refer to the effects alcohol has on one’s mental state, such as disordered thinking. Rather, it refers to how the person’s thoughts and actions become how long do alcoholics live geared toward obtaining alcohol and consuming it, even to the exclusion of important responsibilities. Cravings and withdrawal symptoms, such as anxiety and nausea, might surface when not drinking.