End Stages of Alcoholism: Causes, Symptoms, & Treatment

Alcohol use disorder, colloquially known as alcoholism, doesn’t happen overnight—there are distinct stages of this mental health condition that correspond with our relationship to alcohol and our body and minds’ need for this drug as we become addicted. After years of heavy drinking, it’s possible to get to the end stages of alcoholism, a time when the consequences of years or decades of abusing alcohol start to come to fruition. Sadly, alcohol contributes to an estimated 88,000 deaths in the United States each year, but it doesn’t have to be like this, no matter which stage of alcoholism you find yourself or a loved one in at the moment. Across Florida, WhiteSands Treatment’s network of alcohol rehab facilities can help people gain the tools and knowledge they need to detox the body from alcohol and overcome the chains of alcohol addiction once and for all. Let’s explore how alcoholism progresses and how a top alcohol rehab like WhiteSands can help.

What Happens in End-Stage Alcoholism?

Also known as late-stage alcoholism, the end stages of alcoholism are marked by the final part of alcohol addiction – a time when the physical and mental health consequences of alcohol abuse catch up to us. Verywell Mind says there are several possible symptoms of end-stage alcoholism, including:

• Liver problems, such as cirrhosis or jaundice
• Fluid retention
• Organ damage, including pancreatitis and heart failure
• Alcohol dementia (Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome)

The liver, in particular, takes a beating from prolonged and frequent exposure to alcohol, which is why liver damage or failure is common in those who suffer from alcohol use disorder. More than 40,000 Americans die from cirrhosis each year.

But alcohol also causes damage throughout the rest of the body, including the pancreas, brain, and eyes, as well as greatly increasing the chances of someone developing cancers of the mouth, throat, esophagus, colon, and breasts.

What Is the Final Stage in the Development of Alcoholism?

There are four widely understood stages of how alcoholism actually develops, including the end stages of alcoholism. According to Priory, the four alcoholism stages are:

• Pre-Alcoholic: This could look harmless, but someone’s social or binge drinking can lead to an unhealthy bond with drinking for social reasons or to escape stress. During this stage, someone might drink excessively during social events but try to explain it away, or occasionally drink too much and experience hangovers.

• Early Stages: In this next stage, someone will start to drink more often, possibly experiencing “blackouts” or lapses in memory if they drink too much. They might also drink alone or in secret, and they’re gradually becoming more reliant on alcohol to get through daily life.

• Middle Stage: Now, alcohol is a problem that people around you can start to see. You might experience withdrawal symptoms like shaking or tremors if you aren’t drinking. You’re likely beginning to not deal with daily responsibilities or meet the demands of your personal life, and you probably are drinking every day or quite frequently.

• End-Stage Alcoholism: At this point, you drink out of necessity to avoid withdrawal symptoms, even though you might suffer from the knowledge that you’re reliant on drinking. Physically and mentally, your alcohol abuse is catching up to you, with health effects, emotional struggles, and long-term health problems ahead if you don’t get help.

What Is the Average Lifespan of a Functioning Alcoholic?

Years and decades of heavy drinking can take a toll on the body, so it’s maybe not all that surprising to hear that people with alcohol use disorder have a much shorter average lifespan than normal. A 2014 study of people in Denmark, Finland, and Sweden with alcohol use disorder examined how things went for patients who were admitted to a hospital and diagnosed with this condition between 1987 to 2006. According to the study, the average life expectancy was decades shorter than normal (24 to 28 years) compared to those in the general population. In general, people with alcohol use disorder were found to have a higher mortality rate from all causes of death, diseases, medical conditions, and suicide, pointing to just how widespread the damage is from untreated alcoholism over many years.

What Happens to Alcoholics as They Age?

The National Institute on Aging says it’s clear that alcohol consumption affects us differently as we age, and that includes those who are suffering from alcoholism. Take, for example, the fact that health issues or the medications we take might react to alcohol and require us to quit drinking. Often, older people feel the effects of alcohol even more, making them more likely to suffer from accidents, falls, or crashes.

Over long periods, drinking can greatly increase the chances that we’ll develop certain kinds of cancer or brain damage. At the same time, alcohol can make some health conditions even worse, including struggles with blood pressure or strokes, memory, or mood disorders like depression or anxiety. Drinking can also make older people seem forgetful or confused, which can be confused for symptoms of something else, including dementia.

Another risk is that people can become more likely to become addicted to alcohol as they age, often in response to emotional triggers like the loss of a spouse or loved one, declining physical health, or feeling more isolated as our social networks change and decrease.

Get Help Before the End Stages of Alcoholism at WhiteSands Treatment

There’s no sugarcoating it: The end stages of alcoholism aren’t pretty. After years or decades of alcohol abuse, our bodies can suffer from a wide range of physical and mental damage, including cancer, organ failure, behavioral health challenges, and so much more. But this outcome isn’t inevitable, and it’s crucial to realize that help is available, no matter what stage of alcoholism we’re in.

In Florida, WhiteSands Treatment has a network of top alcohol detox and rehab facilities staffed by experts who know what it takes to help people overcome addiction to alcohol and learn how to have a better life without drinking. We offer a full range of addiction treatment programs, including medical detox, inpatient and outpatient alcohol rehab, and aftercare support services, that can help people at any stage of alcohol use disorder. If you or a loved one is displaying the most common signs of alcoholism, don’t wait — get help today, and we can help you achieve the better future you deserve. Call us at 877-855-3470 to learn more about how we can support you on your journey to recovery.

External Sources

• Verywell Mind – End-Stage Alcoholism
• Priory – The Steps to Addiction
• National Library of Medicine – Mortality and Life Expectancy of People with Alcohol Use Disorder in Denmark, Finland and Sweden
• National Institue on Aging – Facts About Aging and Alcohol

 

If you or a loved one needs help with abuse and/or treatment, please call the WhiteSands Treatment at (877) 855-3470. Our addiction specialists can assess your recovery needs and help you get the addiction treatment that provides the best chance for your long-term recovery.