Author: Gary Jackson

The Three Stages of Alcoholism: Early, Middle, & End-Stage Alcoholism

Although the exact cause of alcohol use disorder is unknown, there are certain factors that may increase your risk for developing this disease. The information on this site should not be used as a substitute for professional medical care or advice. Contact a health care provider if you have questions about your health. The Dietary Guidelines for Americans say that adults of legal drinking age should either not drink or drink in moderation.

It is determined largely by, first, the value that the person places on drugs and, second, the person’s expected chances of being able to get the desired benefits from their use. This view can be applied to explain the reasons why people decide to drink. We publish material that is researched, cited, edited and reviewed by licensed medical professionals. The information we provide is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. It should not be used in place of the advice of your physician or other qualified healthcare providers.

How To Have A Difficult Conversation About Addiction With Your Loved One

Someone might dread the tossing and turning that comes with insomnia. In doing so, alcohol becomes a pre-emptive armor against perceived threats of pain or judgment. Alcohol detox isn’t easy and not everyone can do it on their own.

Before you realize it, you can find yourself in a full-blown abusive relationship. Remember, it’s not your responsibility to “cure” their AUD. You just happen to love someone who is probably going to need professional treatment to get healthy again. Substance use disorder is a primary, chronic, and progressive disease that sometimes can be fatal. No matter your background or expertise, your loved one will likely need outside help.

Health Check Tools

In front of the mess was my 1-year-old cat, looking at me sheepishly. Get the help you need from a therapist near you–a FREE service from Psychology Today.

• Relentless, the little troublemaker would paw and paw and paw until a small opening let him crack open the cabinet door.
• Motivation is generally described as the force that drives us to pursue a goal.
• It doesn’t reach a certain level and remain there for very long; it continues to get worse until the person with an alcohol problem seeks help.
• It’s common for someone with AUD to try to blame their drinking on circumstances or others around them, including those who are closest to them.
• If your loved one is truly dependent on alcohol, they are going to drink no matter what you do or say.

It also puts you at risk of becoming violent or being the victim of violence. If you have questions about whether it is safe for you to drink, talk with your health care provider. Which is what AA and the 12 steps are selling — “Step over to the sunny side of the street where I live — it’s much better here.” To resist the lure of alcohol, willpower alone is often not sufficient. I had to find and get rid of the empty cat food can to solve my cat’s trash can raids. But there’s another side to this coin—the avoidance of pain.

Why Do People Drink?

If your pattern of drinking results in repeated significant distress and problems functioning in your daily life, you likely have alcohol use disorder. However, even a mild disorder can escalate and lead to serious problems, so early treatment is important. Your outlook will depend on your ability to stop drinking. Many people who seek treatment are able to overcome the addiction. A strong support system is helpful for making a complete recovery.

We often only see troubled behavior, like the cat getting into the trash at night or the drinkers who continue to drink despite doctors’ warnings, partners’ ultimatums, or loved ones’ pleas. We don’t realize that there is often an earnest desire for joy or relief behind each pour. When most people drink to their tolerance level, they exhibit signs of intoxication. Those signs include slurring words, loss of balance and poor physical coordination. Early-stage alcoholism is the beginning of the person’s chronic use and pathway to abusing alcohol. Because denial is common, you may feel like you don’t have a problem with drinking.

Tolerance and Cell Resistance to Alcohol

If your loved one is truly dependent on alcohol, they are going to drink no matter what you do or say. See your doctor if you begin to engage in behaviors that are signs of alcohol use disorder or if you think that you may have a problem with alcohol. You should also consider attending a local AA meeting or participating in a self-help program such as Women for Sobriety. You can prevent alcohol use disorder by limiting your alcohol intake. According to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, women shouldn’t drink more than one drink per day, and men shouldn’t drink more than two drinks per day.

• A support group such as Al-Anon Family Groups may also be a helpful source of support when you have someone in your life with a drinking problem.
• About a month ago, my cat suddenly became interested in our under-the-sink trash can.
• In this last stage of alcoholism, the individual often exhibits both physical and mental health issues.
• When someone reaches a crisis point, sometimes that’s when they finally admit they have a problem and begin to reach out for help.
• The safest course of action is to seek treatment in a professional environment that is catered to the individual needs, preferably with holistic treatment.
• Your liver is responsible for removing toxins from your blood.