The alcohol abuse stages can progress quickly, causing changes in the lives of individuals who struggle with the substance. Alcohol addiction affects a number of people across the United States on a daily basis, leading to life-altering changes in the person and the lives of those around them. According to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA), a survey conducted in 2021 yielded results stating approximately 29.5 million people in the United States aged 12 or older struggled with alcoholism.

The impacts on health and overall wellness caused by alcoholism can be severe and getting help as soon as possible is crucial to preventing these health complications.

Binge Drinking, Alcohol Use, and Alcoholism

The beginning alcohol abuse stages can include binge drinking, alcohol use, and lead to alcoholism. Binge drinking is when someone consumes a number of drinks containing alcohol in a short amount of time. For men, this number of drinks is about 5 and for women, the number is 4 drinks. Alcohol use is drinking alcohol socially.

Both of these behaviors can lead to alcoholism, which is when someone becomes dependent upon the substance in order to function normally on a daily basis. Using alcohol can build a tolerance, which results in needing more and more in order to feel the desired effects. This can lead to dependence on the substance, making it difficult to go without using it.

Early Alcohol Abuse

The first of the alcohol abuse stages is early alcohol abuse. This can include binge drinking, or drinking heavily during social drinking. This can lead to significant impairment in those who use this substance to feel intoxicated.

Continued alcohol abuse will result in tolerance and dependence. Even on occasion, drinking heavily can result in life-altering consequences. When someone drinks heavily, it can have an impact on liver function, heart rate, and blood pressure. It can lead to heavier use of alcohol, which can result in even further complications.

Mild Drinking

Increasing in moderation, mild drinking is the next in the alcohol abuse stages. Mild drinking occurs when the level of drinking and the number of drinking occurrences increases. A person can go from having a drink every couple of days or weeks, to drinking a higher quantity of alcohol more often.

As previously stated, the more a person drinks, the risk of developing a tolerance and dependence on the substance increases.

Increased or Problem Drinking

Problematic drinking can result once a tolerance or dependence has been developed. During the stages of alcohol abuse, the person is progressively becoming more dependent on the substance.

At the stage of problematic drinking, they could be having a hard time going without a drink on a daily basis. If they try to go without, they could be feeling or experiencing some uncomfortable and potentially severe detox or withdrawal symptoms associated with alcohol. These symptoms can include irritability, elevated heart rate, nausea, and vomiting among other symptoms.

Late Alcoholism or Alcohol Abuse

The last and most severe of the stages of alcohol abuse is late alcoholism. At this point, a person is drinking heavily and consistently despite the negative consequences associated with alcohol. They may have experienced job loss and chronic unemployment, loss of trust and family relationships or friendships, and potentially have had legal repercussions associated with their drinking.

The impacts on their health and overall well-being can be severe. Liver damage, heart damage, and damage to other vital organs may have begun. Receiving proper care and help as a person tries to end their addiction to alcohol is crucial at this point.

The symptoms associated with alcohol detox and withdrawal can be severe and lead to further health complications if not properly addressed and monitored.

Detox

Detoxing from alcohol is the first step to regaining control of their life in individuals who are struggling with this substance. Alcohol can affect the body the same way other drugs can, and can lead to health issues, and affect mental health. Having the proper care and medical assistance as someone goes through the process of alcohol detox is vital to ensuring safety and increasing success rates.

Often, when someone tries to stop using alcohol on their own, the symptoms of withdrawal can be severely uncomfortable and may seem impossible to endure. Oftentimes, people return to drinking as a means of alleviating the symptoms.

Proper detox and withdrawal, under the right medical supervision, can help a person to be as comfortable as possible, with minimal impacts on health and overall well-being. Having this comfort can make the transition to living without alcohol a lot easier.

Getting Healthy With Ocean Hills Recovery

Struggling with alcohol is a life-changing experience for those who are experiencing it. Addiction to alcohol can lead to health complications, changes in behavior and mood, and broken relationships with family and friends. Recovery from alcohol addiction is possible. If you or a loved one are struggling, Ocean Hills Recovery in Orange County, California, can help. Our team of trained professional staff can help you through the beginning stages of your journey to recovery.

About the author:

Greg Doss, CATCI

Greg opened his home and heart to alcoholics and addicts in 2003. He is a Certified Addictions Treatment Counselor (CATCI). Starting in 2009 Greg has fostered the growth of Ocean Hills Recovery into one of the most respected and effective treatment centers in the area and has been working with people with addictions since March of 2001. Greg believes in a holistic approach to recovery. His focus is on drug alcohol addiction treatment with a combination of 12 Step work, therapy and counseling, and the rejuvenation of the body through healthful eating and exercise. He has designed his program to foster a family-like atmosphere and believes that people in recovery are just beginning their lives. He encourages the people he works with to learn to enjoy life in sobriety. Greg is married to Nicole; they have two adorable sons together and an energetic yellow Labrador Retriever.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does drug and alcohol rehab last?

The length of your stay at drug and alcohol rehab will vary for each person attending rehab and from treatment center to treatment center. Most inpatient programs are at least 30 days long; however, some programs may incorporate a shorter inpatient stay with a more extended outpatient stay. The best rehab centers will provide a more custom treatment plan for each person that takes into account the individual’s needs before determining the length of treatment. Ocean Hills Recovery offers a variety of options for addiction treatment. A typical stay at our inpatient drug and alcohol rehab programs last between 30 to 45 days.

Do I need inpatient or outpatient treatment?

Outpatient is an excellent option for people who are unable to take time away from work or their families while receiving addiction treatment. Inpatient treatment is an excellent option for people who can be away from their work or families for at least several weeks for treatment. We recommend that you contact a reliable treatment center, like Ocean Hills Recovery, for a complete assessment before you decide whether inpatient or outpatient treatment for addiction is best for you.

Should I get addiction treatment locally or away?

The answer to whether you should go away or stay local for addiction treatment is very individual. Many people need to get away from their everyday life for them to fully submerge themselves in their addiction recovery process. For these individuals, going to an out of state treatment center is the best option to be able to commit fully and concentrate on their recovery. For others, this is not an option because of work or family obligations.

What do I do if I don’t have insurance for drug rehab?

There are options for drug rehab, even if you don’t have insurance. When you decide to get help, the best thing to do is to find a treatment philosophy that you believe may help and contact them for assistance. Rehab professionals can help you determine if you have insurance coverage for addiction treatment, and what options are best for you. Many drug rehabs accept insurance but also have private pay, or financing options available. Contact our rehab admissions specialist today, and we can help you navigate insurance questions, payment options, and treatment plans.

How to find a drug and alcohol rehabilitation center?

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration website is a great place to start when you are looking for a drug and alcohol rehabilitation center. We recommend that you make a list of a few different centers to contact and speak with them to get a feel for their programs, therapies, and staff and find the center that you feel most comfortable with. Have a list of questions that you can ask each center to help you through the process. One of the most important questions to ask is if the rehab holds accreditation by CARF. Having a state license is no longer enough to ensure that a rehab center is reputable. If the rehab holds CARF accreditation, they have had to meet a more strict set of guidelines and procedures.

Do I need detox before addiction treatment?

Many people require detox to help manage withdrawal from alcohol and other drugs. There are several factors that we take into consideration to determine if you will need detox before addiction treatment. Our admissions professionals work with each person to obtain a thorough history of substance use and other medical conditions to help make the appropriate recommendations for care. You must give accurate information so that we can keep you as comfortable as possible if you are experiencing withdrawal symptoms. However, detox is only the first step in addiction recovery. For long-lasting addiction recovery, a person must deal with the underlying issues that lead to substance use in the first place. Contact us today for a confidential assessment.

What Are the Stages of Alcohol Abuse?