People in the end-stage of alcoholism are at high risk for serious and even life-threatening health problems. This includes issues such as liver cirrhosis, more severe withdrawal, polysubstance abuse, and suicide. As with many other diseases, alcoholism is a progressive disease with a beginning, middle, and end stage. Early treatment is critical, as the most severe symptoms of the later stages can result in life-threatening health conditions. Alcohol use disorder contributes to approximately 88,000 deaths a year in the US, as the third leading preventable cause of death. You may start out with a drink in the evening after a challenging day at the office or when socializing with friends.

With this tolerance build-up comes the intense withdrawal symptoms when a person is not drinking. These symptoms and problems usually only worsen over time, so it’s important to get help before it’s too late. Health conditions caused by end stage alcoholism can include fatigue, malnutrition, jaundice, heart failure, anemia, alcohol dementia, and cirrhosis. When the liver can no longer metabolize the alcohol quickly enough, it will send it back into the bloodstream. When this happens repeatedly, it causes the liver to harden. As a person with a high tolerance continues to drink heavily, their body adapts to the presence of alcohol.

What are the symptoms of alcohol use disorder?

These common health issues during late-stage alcoholism are often incurable and inevitable precursors to death. Alcoholism is a condition sober house that causes a number of negative effects on the body and mind. Every year, millions of people struggle with alcoholism and its effects.

At this point, the person will begin to behave in easy that have a negative impact on them and their health. It can also have a negative impact on their friends, family, and loved ones. People in the end-stage of alcoholism are at extreme risk to themselves and others.

Stage 1: Early-Stage Alcoholism

In Texas, 18.7% of adults (consistent with nation-wide results) reported binge drinking in the past 30 days or excessive use weekly. Binge drinking is defined as four or more drinks for a female and five or more for a male in two hours. Excessive or chronic use, for purposes of the study, was considered eight or more drinks for women and 15 or more for men. The line in which it passes from a harmless pastime to a life-threatening problem can sometimes be blurry. By examining behavior and possible signs of an alcohol use disorder, one can get a clearer picture if they have a problem, or to help a friend or loved one who may not see the signs in themselves.