According to the World Health Organisation, there are approximately 2.6 million deaths each year associated with alcohol consumption, which is 4.7% of the overall deaths.
Alcohol use disorder is a disorder that is characterised by a pattern of toxic alcohol use that causes a person difficulty stopping drinking. It is composed of alcohol-related conditions such as alcoholism, alcohol abuse, alcohol addiction, and alcohol dependence.
AUD is something that develops slowly, and it turns out different for each person. The symptoms can go from mild to severe, depending on what stage of alcoholism you are in.
It is important to be aware and knowledgeable about the signs and symptoms that can be visible during each stage to know what to do and prevent further damage in the long run.
In this blog, we will talk about the stages of alcohol addiction and the signs and symptoms that can come with each stage.
The Stages of Alcohol Addiction
The progression of alcoholism is divided into five stages. The five stages include:
Pre-Alcoholic Stage
During the pre-alcoholic stage, the number one symptom is the development of alcohol tolerance. Given that this stage is the earliest one, it is hard to notice when a person is going through it, even the one who is developing a tolerance for alcohol. During this stage, the person may engage in:
Social Drinking
Social drinking in this stage is normal because the person is just starting to experience the different kinds of alcohol and how it affects them personally. They will learn about what they like and dislike or how they will tolerate alcohol just for the sake of fitting in.
Binge Drinking
Binge drinking is also something that will be experienced during this stage because they will be overwhelmed by the short-term happiness that they gain from the effects of alcohol. They also usually engage in binge drinking because they do not want to face their own emotions, and alcohol is an efficient coping mechanism for them to avoid their emotions.
Early Stage of Alcoholism
During the early stage of alcoholism, people will experience an increase in their alcohol tolerance. The person becomes more dependent on the presence of alcohol in their system.
Increased Drinking
In this stage, the person will experience trouble limiting their alcohol consumption and have a hard time saying no to alcohol. They will often find themselves skipping events that do not have alcohol, even drinking alone, or having a hard time deciding not to drink.
Middle Stage of Alcohol Misuse
The middle stage of alcohol misuse is when drinking alcohol causes interference in day-to-day life. The person in this stage usually experiences a much higher tolerance to alcohol, evident physical symptoms, and more evident drinking behaviours.
Serious Problem Drinking
During this stage, the person is on the path toward alcohol abuse. They might develop behaviours such as being frequently hungover, making alcohol the priority over anything else, needing to drink more to achieve the same effect, and so on.
Alcohol Dependence
The alcohol dependence during this stage has come to a point where there are visible symptoms such as weight gain or loss, stomach bloating, shaking, sweating, facial redness and puffiness, and several more. It is relatively harder for the person to function without a gnawing feeling or urge to have alcohol in their system.
End-Stage Alcoholism
End-stage alcoholism is known to be the most severe among the 5 stages of alcoholism. In this stage, the alcohol use will be to the extent that it could become life-threatening as well as the deterioration of the physical health.
Fully Developed Severe Alcohol Use Disorder
During this stage, the person has progressed into alcohol abuse and alcoholism. The substance has taken over their life to the point that they cannot keep a job or lose relationships with friends, family, and loved ones because of lying and sometimes violent behaviours. This is also the stage where they would experience developing medical problems such as cirrhosis, cancer, pneumonia, brain damage, heart failure, tuberculosis, and several more.
Recovery Stage
The transition from consistent substance use to detox and eventually onto treatment happens during the recovery stage. During this stage, the person struggling with being addicted to alcohol will learn how to navigate a sober life and eventually achieve long-term sobriety.
How To Recognise Signs and Symptoms of Alcohol Misuse
People have different experiences as they struggle with alcohol dependency. However, there are several warning signs and symptoms that you can look out for to spot alcohol misuse, such as:
- Drinking to the point where the person blacks out or experiences short-term memory loss
- Showing extreme mood swings or visible signs of irritability
- Acting as if they were hungover if they do not have alcohol in their system.
- Isolating and distancing themselves from friends, family, and loved ones.
- Ending up choosing drinking over every other obligation.
What To Do If You Are Worried About Your Alcohol Consumption
The first step is always acceptance. Realising that you already have a problem is essential to pursue getting help about your alcohol consumption. The best place to start is probably to consult a GP regarding your condition. If your GP or doctor has suggested that you curb your drinking, The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism has some tips regarding how to curb your drinking. Here are the steps that you can follow:
- Write down the reasons you need to minimise your drinking.
- Set a limit on how much you will allow yourself to drink.
- Keep track of your alcohol consumption.
- Do not have any source of alcohol near you.
- Drink slowly and never drink on an empty stomach.
- Choose and plan out alcohol-free days.
- Do not give in to peer pressure. Learn to say no politely.
- Make yourself busy.
- Seek guidance and support.
- Do not let yourself give in to temptation.
- Remember to be persistent even amidst setbacks.
How Alcohol Rehab and Addiction Treatment Can Help
Alcohol rehab and addiction treatment are the key to building a new foundation away from the shackles of chronic alcohol use.
People often find themselves using alcohol as a coping mechanism for problems and emotions that they are trying to avoid, which means it will be hard to detach from it because the body will have grown accustomed to its presence inside our system.
For any rehab program for being addicted or dependent on alcohol, the collective endgame is long-term recovery and, eventually, sobriety. During the program, the patient will be able to learn and experience several things, such as being held accountable towards recovery, education about the disorder, and the extent of how it can affect all aspects of our lives. Patients will also engage in counselling and other activities to express and slowly debunk the things that have caused them to develop this condition.
Where To Get Help for Alcohol Addiction
There are several places in which you can explore possible treatment options for alcohol addiction. It may seem overwhelming considering the number of available options, especially if it is your first time to find a treatment provider that is the best for you.
It is important to be sure of what you want and need before you start your search. Now that almost everything is online, searching for centres near you to help you stop or control alcohol use could be done easier. You can also ask your GP for a list of licensed centres in your area to narrow down your search. It is also beneficial to ask for the opinions of your family and friends or someone you know who has already gone through alcohol use disorder treatment.
The National Institute of Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism also has a website that explains how you can choose between the different treatment programs. The website also offers advice and tips about getting support for you or a loved one.
Let us guide you through recognising the symptoms and finding the path to recovery. Contact Liberty Home Clinic today.
