If you or someone you love has developed alcoholism, you may feel very hopeless about trying to change this situation. Sadly, many people will go through this process in their life and will need help to overcome these issues. As a result, you should educate yourself in order to fully understand the stages of alcoholism and how they could potentially impact your life. Doing so can give you the best chance to fully understand the nature of this problem and help yourself and others overcome addiction. Additionally, by enrolling in a rehab facility, you can walk away from any stage of this disease healthy and happy. Read on to learn more about the stages of alcoholism and how you can get help.
The Complete Stages of Alcoholism Examined
Alcoholism is like any other disease. It has a beginning, middle, and end. Unfortunately, those who reach the last stage of alcoholism may be at a point where their life is threatened. That being said, there is always hope if a person is willing to quit. As a result, it is critical to understand the stages of alcoholism in order to get help in the treatment process.
- Early-Stage – Those in the earliest stages of alcoholism are at the point where stopping their addiction would be the easiest. Though drinking has become a daily habit, people at this stage have adapted to it and are likely well adjusted. Their body is starting to change, particularly their liver, which is starting to break down alcohol more quickly. Unfortunately, they will experience high levels of damage as a result of their drinking habits.
- Middle-Stage – During this period of alcoholism, a person’s dependency has increased, and they no longer drink just for fun. Their body has become dependent on alcohol, and they need it, physically, to avoid withdrawal. Many people at this stage cannot control their drinking behaviors in any way and may end up losing jobs or experiencing other personal difficulties as a result.
- End-Stage – People in this stage are starting to deteriorate physically. They not only lie about alcohol and center their life around it but may start experiencing health problems. Their liver is probably about to give out, but their kidney may also be heavily damaged. Early death may be the result here.
Although people in end-stage alcoholism may see no point in quitting, stopping now can give them the best chance of recovery. A liver transplant could help to add years to their lives, as well. As a result, it is never too late to consider alcohol rehab, no matter what stages of alcoholism a person has walked through in their life.
Help is Possible
Even if you are at the last stages of alcoholism, rehab can help you recover. That’s because this treatment assesses your physical, emotional, and spiritual health to walk you back from the brink of disaster. Even those with serious health issues can benefit from rehab in order to develop a healthy lifestyle without alcohol.
For example, those in end-stage addiction can get partial hospitalization to manage any dangerous health conditions. Just as importantly, they can utilize high-quality dietary changes to stay healthy longer and avoid the dangers of bodily degradation. They can even set you up with organ transplants outside their facility.
Change Your Life Today
Please call 866.262.0531 to contact us at Crestview Recovery. We can help you overcome addiction, no matter what stage of alcoholism you are in. We can also provide dual-diagnosis, trauma therapy, and an extended care program that can help you beat this disease. Verify your insurance now, and you can get started on the path towards recovery.
Since 2016, Dr. Merle Williamson, a graduate of Oregon Health Sciences University, has been the Medical Director at Crestview Recovery, bringing a rich background in addiction medicine from his time at Hazelden Treatment Center. He oversees outpatient drug and alcohol treatments, providing medical care, setting policies, detox protocols, and quality assurance measures. Before specializing in addiction medicine, he spent 25 years in anesthesiology, serving as Chair of Hospital Pharmacy and Therapeutics Committee and Chief of Anesthesia at Kaiser Permanente. This experience gives him a unique perspective on treating prescription drug addiction.
