Long-term alcohol abuse can lead to dangerous damage called alcoholic liver disease. Alcoholic liver disease usually occurs after years of drinking too much. The longer you’ve abused alcohol, and the more alcohol you’ve consumed, the greater likelihood you will develop liver disease. Alcohol may cause swelling and inflammation in your liver, or something called hepatitis. Over time, this can lead to scarring and cirrhosis of the liver, which is the final phase of alcoholic liver disease.

• Research shows that long-term alcohol abuse can have lasting impacts on the brain.
• Medical detox clinics keep patients physically safe, prescribing any medication necessary to avoid potentially life-threatening symptoms.
• This is because they only feel the negative effects of alcohol when they stop drinking.
• Those signs include slurring words, loss of balance and poor physical coordination.

Make the most of our vast knowledge of addiction treatment and our proven ability to change lives. Take the first step towards a new, better life by giving us a call today. Moving Mountains takes a whole-person approach to recovery by offering a continuum of care, clinically proven treatments, and holistic healing. We work closely with you to identify your unique needs, facilitate individualized treatments, and help you establish a foundation upon which your recovery–and the rest of your life–can grow. Our compassionate, friendly staff is available 24-hours a day to take your call and help you begin your recovery journey. While alcohol abuse has become normalized in today’s society, frequent abuse of this substance can lead to lasting physical, psychological,….

A Progressive Disease

The most important part of treatment is to stop drinking alcohol completely. If you don’t have liver cirrhosis yet, your liver can actually heal itself, that is, if you stop drinking alcohol. You may need an alcohol rehabilitation program or counseling to break free from alcohol.

Financial and legal stresses aren’t uncommon in the final stage either. If a person attempts to stop drinking, they will experience severe withdrawal symptoms like hallucinations and tremors. Quitting without help can be potentially fatal, as a person may experience delirium tremens (DT) – which is even more severe symptoms. After all this, a person may still deny they have a problem. Lisa joins our clinical team as our Family Services Coordinator. She brings with her over 25 years of experience and knowledge surrounding substance abuse, the disease of addiction, and the impact of this illness on patients, families and the community.

Stage 4: Alcoholism Reaches ‘End Stage’

Cirrhosis is a chronic, irreversible disease that gradually affects the liver. It can only be cured with a liver transplant, which most heavy alcohol users will not be eligible for9. Symptoms include depression, excessive consumption, and extreme pain during withdrawal. A https://stylevanity.com/2023/07/top-5-questions-to-ask-yourself-when-choosing-sober-house.html person can exhibit many different alcoholism signs, ranging from mild to severe. If they show a significant dependency, they may have end-stage alcoholism. As alcoholism progresses, the cells in the body become more and more resistant to the short-term effects of alcohol.

If you know someone who drinks regularly and has these symptoms, call a treatment provider to discuss treatment options. End-stage alcoholism is thought to increase people’s risk of heart disease, liver damage, and certain cancers. Withdrawal from alcohol at this stage of alcoholism can be life-threatening, and people who engage in risky behaviors while drinking are more likely to be injured or die in an accident. By the time someone reaches the late stages of alcoholism, they’re likely to struggle with heart problems. Most people have high blood pressure, damage to their heart muscle, and angina.

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They may also experience strong cravings for alcohol and increased tolerance. Professional treatment works during any stage of alcoholism, even late-stage alcoholism. While early intervention is always recommended, sometimes individuals are not ready to accept treatment until they reach rock bottom. All of these conditions don’t even scratch the surface of the damage alcohol causes to someone’s body.

Alcoholism is a chronic disease that progresses through early, middle and late stages. In 2019, it affected 14.5 millionAmericans aged 12 and older, or 5.3% of the population. Informed by her personal journey to recovery and support of loved ones in sobriety, Jessica’s empathetic and authentic approach resonates deeply with the Addiction Help community. Has been an expert in addiction medicine for more than 15 years. In addition to managing a successful family medical practice, Dr. Hoffman is board certified in addiction medicine by the American Osteopathic Academy of Addiction Medicine (AOAAM). Dr. Hoffman has successfully treated hundreds of patients battling addiction.