In college, you always joked that you were becoming an alcoholic. Studying at the University of Tampa, you found yourself immersed in the party scene. You still focused on your studies, hoping to become a nurse and one day a nurse practitioner. But there were definitely nights that you don’t fully remember, and days where you barely made it through class. Alcohol wasn’t really a problem though, at least not yet.
As you finished college, the stress of working rotations in the ER became too much. You turned back to drinking, which helped you calm your nerves after a long shift of illness, broken bones, and opioid overdoses. Before you knew it, you couldn’t sleep without alcohol, and all you could think about during your shifts was the next drink. Soon, you began drinking before work just to calm the shakes. Alcohol had become your whole life, and at this rate, your dreams of becoming a successful nurse practitioner were going down the drain.
Between 2017 and 2019, 24.2% of Pinellas County residents reported drinking excessively. At Tranquil Shores, we understand that alcohol use disorder can cross many different professions. Not only do we have approved PRN and IPN programs for medical professionals, but we also have many career-specific offerings for treatment, including military, business executives, and artists. Our dedicated staff will work with you so you have your electronic devices when you need to work. Our blog serves as a free tool for those wanting to learn more about alcohol and substance use. Today, we are discussing the stages of alcoholism, and how they progress.
What Are the Four Main Stages of Alcoholism?
Developing an alcohol use disorder is not an overnight process. There are four main stages of alcoholism: the pre-alcoholic stage, early-stage alcoholism, middle alcoholic stage, and end-stage alcoholism. As you can guess by the names, the stages are progressive. It is possible to only experience one or two stages before realizing alcohol may be a problem. However, many will be in end-stage alcoholism when they decide to seek help. There is no set time frame for each stage of alcoholism. Every person is different and will experience them at their own pace.
The Pre-Alcoholic Stage
The first drink is not a precursor to entering the pre-alcoholic stage, but it can be the start. There are correlations between those who develop an alcohol use disorder and the age at which they began drinking. The younger a person starts experimenting with alcohol, the more likely they are to have an unhealthy relationship with it. In the pre-alcoholic stage, the person typically will drink anything and everything, as they do not have specific tastes or preferences yet. Binge drinking is common in this stage as the person wants to try all flavors and types of alcohol.
Early-Stage Alcoholism
In early-stage alcoholism, drinking has become a coping mechanism. While the person may not drink all the time, they find themselves turning to alcohol to cope with stress, sadness, or anger. Those who have mental health conditions such as depression and anxiety are at a higher risk of furthering alcoholism in this stage. Some will start canceling plans or changing their schedule to accommodate their drinking patterns.
The Middle Alcoholic Stage
In the middle alcoholic stage, the person has reached a peak in their alcohol use disorder. The mental and social side effects will be noticeable, such as increases in depression and broken relationships. Job performance may also be decreasing, and financial stress can cause even more mental deterioration.
Alcohol at this point is a priority. It does not matter if there is a responsibility to complete, alcohol will come first. This could mean skipping paying bills to buy alcohol, neglecting children or household chores, avoiding all family and friend social situations, and missing work or important obligations. The person will experience withdrawal symptoms between drinking episodes, and will also experience cravings. They may also begin engaging in reckless behaviors including drinking and driving. Sometimes in this stage, the person goes through a “rock bottom” moment and reaches a point of wanting to change their current path with alcohol.
End-Stage Alcoholism
In end-stage alcoholism, the person is completely unable to control their drinking. At this point, the physical symptoms of alcoholism are present. Though this should be a concern, the person often will ignore symptoms to keep drinking. Long-term effects of alcohol can include:
- Liver disease, cirrhosis, fatty liver, and alcoholic hepatitis
- Acute pancreatitis
- Myopathy
- Cardiomyopathy
- Hypertension
- Heart Attacks
- Strokes
- Seizures
It is important to note that the sooner the person gets help for their drinking, the sooner the body can begin to heal itself. Not all damage is permanent, and there is a chance to reverse some of it if drinking discontinues. However, conditions such as cancer and cirrhosis are not usually able to be reversed, and symptoms can only be managed for the rest of the person’s life.
What Are Some Signs of Problem Drinking?
Signs of problem drinking will look different between the stages of alcoholism. Those in the pre-alcoholic stage may experience more blackouts and hangovers due to wanting to try all forms of alcohol. In the early and middle stages, signs of poor job performance, continuous canceled plans, and increased depression and anxiety may all be noticed. In the end-stage, signs that drinking has become a problem include seeing physical symptoms. The person may have experienced a heart attack, chest pain, yellowing of the skin and eyes, and stomach pains.
When Should Your Drinking Concern You?
Drinking alcohol at times does not indicate an alcohol use disorder. If you have experienced negative consequences from drinking, such as a DUI or unplanned sexual partner, it is time to reevaluate your relationship with alcohol. The key to remember is that every person is different. You may see experiencing a blackout as a sign to stop drinking altogether or limit the amount you drink. Others may see it as a learning experience of what not to do next time but continue binge drinking. All in all, if your alcohol use has caused negative situations or health problems, it may be time to seek help.
Get Treatment for Alcohol Use Disorder in Pinellas County
If you have been pondering about your alcohol use and wonder if it should be concerning, you are most likely already in a stage of alcoholism. Thankfully, there is help available to address alcohol use disorder no matter what stage you may be in. Alcoholism treatment is the best way for you to find the root causes of your drinking habits and how to cope with negative emotions. Damages that have been done to the body and mind do not have to be permanent, and seeking treatment is the first step to begin the journey of healing and recovery.
If you or someone you love is showing signs of any stage of alcoholism, don’t hesitate to reach out. Tranquil Shores is a full-spectrum addiction treatment facility that can help you find success in recovery from alcohol use disorder. At our facility, we keep our client-to-therapist ratio low, at 3:1. This ensures every person who walks through our doors receives the individual attention they need and deserve. No matter what stage of alcoholism you may be in, Tranquil Shores is ready to help you begin your new journey and rediscover your passions. Call us today at 727-391-7001 to schedule an appointment.
