Experts agree that alcoholism (alcohol addiction) is a chronic disease of the brain. Still, becoming addicted does not happen overnight. Alcoholism is a progressive disease that worsens over time.
While some people may enjoy an occasional alcoholic drink, others become dependent on alcohol after a while. As an ongoing pattern of increasing alcohol use develops, a person will experience an overall decline in their health and well-being.
The biggest danger with this pattern is that most people do not even realize what is happening. You may be enjoying drink after drink, night after night, and before you know it, you cannot start your day without a drink.
It is important to establish where you are in the timeline of alcoholism so that you can take the appropriate action or get immediate help.
The Four Stages of Alcoholism
There are four stages of alcoholism, each with red flags, signs, and effects. These stages start with casual drinking, which is often the most problematic. You may not think of casual drinking as being an issue because you do not understand how quickly this behaviour can turn into an inescapable alcohol dependency.
Pre-Alcoholic
Researcher Elvin Morton Jellinek devoted a significant part of his life to researching and understanding the progression of alcoholism. He created a framework that depicts the progression of the disease to make it easier for those affected and their families to identify when help is needed.
Jellinek outlined the binge drinking or casual drinking stage as the pre-alcoholic phase. You may drink with friends or go out on your own to a bar after a long day at work. While this may sound harmless, there are several red flags to watch out for.
For instance, if you drink only socially but more than you initially planned to, it is a sign that you may become dependent on alcohol. If you drink to get over a bad mood or find yourself justifying your drinking habits while socializing, it is another red flag.
Social drinking also does not come without consequences. You may find yourself sleeping less and eating more. You will likely suffer mood swings brought on by feelings of guilt over binge drinking. Also, if you spend too much money on alcohol, it could lead to financial distress.
Prodromal (Early Stage)
The second or prodromal phase of drinking refers to a period in which you drink more often than usual. At this point, you are likely drinking at home alone. You may feel even guiltier more often as you start drinking in secret, whether in the morning or late at night.
During the prodromal phase, you may experience memory lapses or blackouts. You may not remember how much alcohol you consumed or what you did afterward.
The prodromal stage comes with strained relationships and health problems (the beginning of liver disease and other illnesses). You will spend more money on alcohol, which means you will have even less finances to cover your monthly expenses.
Middle Stage
The middle stage of alcoholism is also the stage where you can no longer hide how much you drink. You will still try to drink in the early morning or late at night, but symptoms like tremors, sweating, and nausea will give this behaviour away.
If you are in this stage, you are likely lying about your drinking or trying unsuccessfully to stop. You will experience withdrawal symptoms if you do not drink for a day, and you will be unable to stop severe mood swings.
The middle stage is also where you will suffer even more health issues. Your prolonged drinking will now affect your heart and nervous system. You will notice more digestive issues, and your liver will become unhealthy.
End-Stage
If you neglect to seek help during the first three phases of alcoholism, you will rapidly descend into the last stage. When you are in end-stage alcoholism, your health will decline fast. You will lose complete control over your drinking habits and continue to drink throughout the day.
At this point, whenever you try to stop, you will experience serious withdrawal symptoms. When the tremors and hallucinations start, the seizures will not be far behind.
This is a terrifying situation to be in. Not only will you likely be completely isolated from your loved ones, but you will be at risk of liver cirrhosis and brain damage. When you experience hallucinations, it will exacerbate any mental health problems you may have, including anxiety and depression.
You will be at risk of getting cancer, suffering a heart attack, or developing pancreatitis. If you already have a serious medical condition, excessive drinking can worsen it to the point where death occurs.
All Is Not Lost
These are not doomsday scenarios. These stages depict what millions go through around the world. Fortunately, all is not lost. There is help for those who need and want it.
Whether you are in the pre-alcoholic stage or the end stage, you can still turn things around. There are several different treatments available for alcohol addiction. All you need to do is speak to a doctor or other medical professional so you can have your symptoms assessed.
Based on the outcome of this assessment, the doctor will guide you toward a treatment plan or program.
Get on the Road to Recovery With HARP
The highly qualified clinical team at HARP has years of experience in caring for those who find themselves in the process of becoming addicted to alcohol. They can help you whether you are in the pre-alcoholic stage or the end stage of alcoholism.
With a health and wellness team on site, you will receive holistic treatment for the physical and mental symptoms of alcohol abuse. You will stay connected to your loved ones throughout the treatment program. You will also be able to immerse yourself in the gorgeous natural surroundings of HARP facilities.
HARP allows you to turn things around, even when you think you no longer can.
Take our quiz today: “What stage of alcoholic am I?” and discover where you are in the alcoholism timeline. If your score indicates medium to severe alcohol use, email us and take the first step toward breaking free from alcohol addiction.
