Alcoholism affects every part of a person’s life. Without treatment, people with alcoholism are at risk of severe damage to their physical health, emotional well-being, relationships, and safety.

People must get treatment as soon as possible to avoid life-threatening complications of alcoholism. Being able to recognize the symptoms of alcoholism can help you or your loved one get treatment as early as possible.

Alcoholism happens in four progressive stages. We will examine the four stages of alcoholism so that you will be more likely to recognize it in yourself or someone you love.

The Pre-Alcoholic Stage

The earliest stage of alcoholism can be very hard to recognize, even in your own behaviors. This stage is the beginning of problematic drinking. Usually, someone in the pre-alcoholic stage will begin drinking socially. After some time, they may begin to drink to relieve stress.

Drinking to numb or dull emotions or pain is called self-medication. When people in the pre-alcoholic stage start to self-medicate, it can turn into one of their main coping mechanisms. When they face challenges or strong emotions, they drink. When this happens more frequently, a person may begin to slowly develop tolerance–needing more alcohol to feel the desired effects.

These behaviors are usually not noticeable to others or may not seem to be worth paying attention to. However, for some, it is the beginning of a more complicated and dangerous problem.

Early-Stage Alcoholism

The main symptom of this stage is increased tolerance. A person in this stage may notice they need to drink more to get the same “buzz”. They may spend a lot of time talking or thinking about drinking. They may drink alone or have a hard time deciding not to drink.

During early-stage alcoholism, people may have episodes of binge drinking and may experience blackouts from drinking too much.

Middle-Stage Alcoholism

At this stage, people have developed a high tolerance for alcohol and may need to drink a lot to feel its effects. They may appear to be sober after drinking. People begin to have physical symptoms related to their drinking, including:

Weight gain or loss
Feeling sluggish
Skin changes
Shakiness
Red or puffy face
Sweating
Bloating

Others may notice and be concerned about their unhealthy drinking behaviors. Drinking becomes the person’s priority. They may begin to isolate themselves or only spend time with other people who drink heavily.

People with middle-stage alcoholism may drink alone and at work, and they may have frequent hangovers. Because of the amount of alcohol it takes for them to feel any effects, people with middle-stage alcoholism often pass out when drinking.

At this stage, a person meets the criteria for diagnosis of an Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD).

End-Stage Alcoholism

This is the most severe stage of alcoholism. People with end-stage alcoholism drink constantly because their body is dependent on it. If they stop drinking or drink less, they are likely to experience withdrawal symptoms like shakiness, sweating, nausea, insomnia, and anxiety. Some people in alcohol withdrawal experience dangerous symptoms like hallucinations and seizures.

People with end-stage alcoholism can not work, care for others, or meet their own needs. They may neglect their hygiene and are at risk of serious legal, medical, and personal consequences. People in this stage may feel depressed, paranoid, and lonely. They are at high risk of losing relationships, becoming homeless, being the victim of a crime, or being seriously injured during an accident due to their drinking.

Without treatment, people with alcoholism are at increased risk of developing serious health complications, including:

Brain damage
Cirrhosis
Alcoholic hepatitis
Liver disease or failure
Pancreatitis
Cancer
Pneumonia
Esophageal damage
Heart failure

People with end-stage alcoholism need medical intervention and alcoholism treatment as quickly as possible.

Treatment for Alcoholism

Without treatment, alcoholism can progress and become life-threatening. Getting the treatment and support they need can give people with alcoholism a chance to overcome the condition and live a healthy, sober life.

Alcoholism treatment happens in stages. First, many people attend a medically supervised detox program. During detox, people are monitored and treated for uncomfortable withdrawal symptoms. They are given medications and other forms of treatment that keep them safe during the detox process.

Next, people complete treatment. They participate in programs that use a combination of evidence-based and holistic treatments that may support healing. These include:

Individual therapy
Group therapy
Family therapy
Medications
Medical and mental health treatment
Education
Holistic therapies–art, music, nutrition, exercise, meditation, and other healing treatments

After completing treatment, people with alcoholism must develop an aftercare plan that can help them stay active in recovery and committed to sobriety for life. People may continue to attend therapy, join a support group or alumni network, or participate in 12-step treatment.

The sooner you recognize the signs of alcoholism, the sooner you can get the treatment you need to overcome it.

Learn More About Recognizing the Stages of Alcoholism at Addiction Intervention

At Addiction Intervention, we believe that anyone can overcome alcoholism if they have the right treatment and support. Our specialists will work to verify your insurance and connect you with the addiction treatment programs and professionals you need to support you on your journey toward recovery.

Don’t wait another day to get the treatment or alcohol intervention that you need. Contact the specialists at Addiction Intervention today.