Four Stages of Alcoholism and Early Detection

The third stage of alcoholism is characterized by a person experiencing problems as a direct result of their drinking. “Problem drinker” is a term commonly used in today’s society to describe a person whose drinking has caused them emotional, physical, social, or financial issues. In order to be considered a binge drinker, men must consume 5 drinks every 2 hours while women must consume 4. However, many binge drinkers will exceed this amount substantially.

Everyone is affected differently by alcohol, and the ways in which alcohol interacts with the body and mind can vary from person to person. We provide Medication-Assisted Treatment to soothe withdrawal symptoms and curb cravings so you can focus on your recovery. If he decides to seek treatment and family therapy is offered, it is wise to join in because treatment can assist in healing the relationship.

Stage Two: Alcohol Abuse

They pick fights with family and friends and choose to drink despite negative consequences. Alcoholism is a progressive, five-stage disease that can be treated through professional medical attention. Treatment and recovery are possible during any of the stages of alcoholism.

• Effective addiction treatment providers will have addiction counselors, but they should also have mental health services as many people with alcoholism have co-occurring mental health conditions.
• Alcoholism emerges from alcohol abuse, when there’s a pattern of drinking despite negative consequences.
• The feeling of powerlessness is stifling as you watch someone you care about slowly deteriorate physically and mentally while they may even continue to refuse to admit their drinking is problematic.
• Cirrhosis of the liver, which is scarring, will occur and if it progresses too far, can only be solved with a liver transplant that can’t be guaranteed available.
• The test is free, confidential, and no personal information is needed to receive the result.

Friends and family members will begin losing patience, trust and understanding for the person’s substance use. A better bet is to use this time to develop a detailed action plan and identify strategies that will help them conquer their alcohol addiction. This might include examining the sort of lifestyle changes they’ll need to make or researching types of treatment and treatment facilities.

Stage 3: Severe Alcohol Abuse and Addiction

For those who need help and don’t want it,interventionmay be the only alternative. The most effective treatment for overcoming alcoholism involves a clinically-proven combination of behavioral therapy, medications, and attending support groups. This provides a safe and structured environment for people to address 5 stages of alcoholism all medical, emotional, and psychological aspects of their drinking for lifelong recovery. Reaching the late-stage of alcohol use disorder poses serious consequences to a person’s physical and mental wellbeing. Many people at this point become unable to maintain a job or function normally in their usual routine.

However, they’ll inevitably drink that much again not long after. Over time it becomes a cycle of binge drinking, blacking out, swearing to cut back, and then starting again. Early-stage alcoholism, or the prodromal phase, is when people begin binge drinking regularly and may even black out occasionally. This behavior may be a sign of experimentation with alcohol gone too far, especially in the case of adolescents or young adults.

The 3 Stages of Alcoholism

Individuals may waffle back and forth between wanting and not wanting to change. They may decide, for instance, that they’re going to seek treatment sometime in the next six months but won’t set a definite date. By the time people reach the contemplation stage, they’ve begun to recognize they have a drinking problem and may want to get help, but they’re often on the fence about it. However, certain food groups also have benefits when it comes to helping with the discomfort of withdrawal symptoms and detoxification.

However, people in this stage may find themselves eventually turning to alcohol as a coping mechanism from daily stresses and life traumas. Physical dependence, tolerance, cravings, and a general loss of control define someone experiencing alcoholism. These symptoms may simply be the result of alcohol abuse, especially in younger adults. It may be challenging to establish what constitutes excessive drinking and whether or not one is in the early stages of Alcohol Use Disorder . It varies from person to person, but there are certain similar symptoms and warning signals. Alcoholism is described as a psychological and physical dependence on alcohol that interferes with one’s everyday life.

Stage 2: Prodromal or Early Alcoholism

A great deal of time is spent in activities necessary to obtain alcohol, use alcohol, or recover from its effects. John C. Umhau, MD, MPH, CPE is board-certified in addiction medicine and preventative medicine. For over 20 years Dr. Umhau was a senior clinical investigator at the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism of the National Institutes of Health .