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Priorities shift to make drinking alcohol the No. 1 priority in the person’s life. However, for those suffering from an alcohol addiction, there is hope regardless of what stage of alcoholism you are currently in. Successful treatment for alcohol abuse and addiction typically combines medication, behavioral therapy, and an aftercare program.
Alcoholism emerges from alcohol abuse, when there’s a pattern of drinking despite negative consequences. Alcoholism and alcohol abuse are both categorized as alcohol use disorders—affecting people of all ages and stages of life. Typically, an individual reaches end-stage alcoholism after years of alcohol abuse. At this point, people who have spent years drinking may have developed numerous health and mental conditions in addition to their alcohol abuse. The individual may have isolated themselves, lost their job, or damaged major organs in the body.
Early Stage
Warning signs may include a desire to use alcohol to “fit in” or to appease curiosity. The severity of early-stage alcoholism varies widely among individuals but generally increases over time. It doesn’t start causing harm until it results in frequent intoxication or withdrawal symptoms. Alcoholism in its end stages can cause serious, even life-threatening health problems.
When they attempt to quit or cut back on their alcohol consumption, they will experience symptoms of withdrawal. Once someone is abusing alcohol to cope with their emotions, they are in the beginning stages of psychological dependency. This means that they are becoming dependent on alcohol to solve their emotional, social, and behavioral issues. sober house Many cultures, demographics, psychological factors, and life events shape who we are. But because of the science of alcohol’s effects on the body and mind, people with alcohol use disorder can have a variety of the same symptoms and health effects. This blog is for informational purposes only and should not be a substitute for medical advice.
What Are the Stages of Alcoholism? Identifying the Progression of Alcohol Use Disorder
The next stage of alcoholism begins when alcohol consumption becomes more frequent. These individuals may start to develop an emotional attachment to drinking. This more an individual turns to alcohol to “feel good”, the more at risk they are of developing an alcohol use disorder and potentially needing alcohol treatment. Our society generally accepts mild alcohol abuse, especially among adolescents and those going through hard times. Teens and young adults feel pressure to drink in excess in order to fit in. Adults who did not previously drink as much, may turn to alcohol after a traumatic event or while grieving.
What is Stage 7 alcoholism?
Stage 7: Crisis Stage of Dependency
The alcoholic is rarely without a drink, but thinks no one notices. This stage frequently results in alcohol-related deaths for users who do not enter treatment.
Medication, therapy, and comprehensive rehabilitation can all be employed via inpatient or outpatient addiction treatment. Additionally, support from family members and friends can increase recovery rates. This means that a person may actively avoid a problem that they know exists on some level. It is also common for people struggling with alcoholism to believe that there is nothing wrong with them and that their drinking habits are under control. This is often a defense response when those struggling with alcoholism are unable to accept or confront that they have a problem.
Treatment for End-Stage Alcoholism
Since many people with alcoholism endure psychological problems, individual or group therapy may help in overcoming addiction. Individuals in this stage may not be drinking every day or even every week. However, they still use alcohol frequently and can’t imagine a “good night out” without it. Little research on alcohol and alcohol addiction existed in the early 1900s. There were plenty of people who couldn’t control their drinking but doctors couldn’t explain why at the time. Many thought that drinking problems were the result of weak willpower or a lack of self-control.
When alcohol enters the bloodstream, one of the central impacts is slowing the rate of communication between nerve cells. The rate of communication returns to its typical levels once alcohol leaves the body. If a person drinks frequently or more heavily, the nerve cells in the brain adapt by reducing the number of places they can receive these messages. Early-stage alcoholism is the beginning of the person’s chronic use and pathway to abusing alcohol. In the middle stage of dependency, both drinking habits and problems continue to worsen.