During the middle phase of the Jellinek Curve, a person’s struggle with alcohol will have become evident to friends and family. Those around the person may have noticed specific physical changes like facial redness, weight changes, sluggishness, and stomach bloating that come from the abuse of alcohol. Other symptoms, such as missing work and increased irritability or forgetfulness, may be observed. Many may benefit from support groups if they seek help during this stage.
- The stages of alcoholism were first introduced by researcher, Elvin Morton Jellinek.
- During this stage, individuals may engage in social drinking or experiment with alcohol.
- Even more unfortunately, 178,000 people die in the U.S. each year from excessive alcohol use, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Stage 5 – Addiction to Alcohol
The most severe form of alcohol withdrawal is delirium tremens (DTs), characterized by altered mental status and severe autonomic hyperactivity that may lead to cardiovascular collapse. Only about 5 percent of patients with alcohol withdrawal progress to DTs, but about 5 percent of these patients die. Alcohol addiction is characterized by a physical and psychological need to drink. Drinkers leave the experimental stage when their alcohol consumption becomes more frequent. Instead of just drinking at parties once in a while, you may find yourself drinking every weekend. But when alcohol consumption gets out of control, you may find yourself on a dangerous path toward addiction.
Some Physical Signs and Symptoms of Alcohol Addiction
By this stage, the physical, emotional and social consequences of alcoholism are severe, and it’s crucial that you get immediate support. Though recovery is still possible, prolonged alcoholism can affect your health in the five stages of drinking long-term. In this initial phase, people might engage in social or binge drinking. It might appear harmless at first, but it’s at this stage where the foundation of an unhealthy relationship with alcohol might start.
Graduate School of Addiction Studies
Increased drinking begins when the occasional drink with friends becomes a regular activity for yourself. People in this stage may choose to drink as an excuse to get together with friends, to alleviate stress and boredom, or to combat sadness or loneliness. Seeking help may feel impossible, but it’s the best decision you can make for yourself.
I’m In Recovery
Even though the hangovers are more challenging to overcome, you still get the job done. However, if they knew how difficult it is for you to stop thinking about alcohol, they would be more concerned. In this stage, drinking alcohol has become the way to cope with all emotions. There is no such thing as not being “alcoholic enough.” There is no reason to wait until you feel like your drinking is bad enough to warrant treatment.
Stage #3: Problem drinking
- This is especially true for teens who attend parties where drinking is the primary activity.
- Thoughts of alcohol override everything else, leading to compulsions that satisfy the cravings and desire to drink.
- They may also benefit from behavioral therapy, such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and motivational interviewing (MI), to help them change their attitudes and behaviors related to alcohol use.
- Medication-assisted treatment (MAT) is a highly effective approach, utilizing FDA-approved medications to manage withdrawal symptoms, reduce cravings, and prevent relapse.
- Alcohol addiction, like many types of substance abuse, does not happen overnight.
- Our NASH cohort did not include patients with NAFLD, thus we would expect a mortality rate higher than Loomba’s NAFLD/NASH alone cohort.
But some people who drink face a risk of developing this chronic and progressive disease, which affects roughly 1 in every 8 Americans and contributes to about 88,000 deaths annually. Substance abuse or addiction is a complex disease of the brain and body that disrupts brain regions related to reward, motivation, learning, judgment, and memory. Some people know they have a problem, while others may not be aware. Facing the possibility of alcoholism can be overwhelming, and it feels much easier to act like you’re perfectly fine.
The Jellinek Curve
Alcohol recovery typically involves alcohol detox, medical supervision, therapy, and support groups. Expect withdrawal symptoms, lifestyle adjustments, and emotional challenges. With dedication and support, it’s possible to achieve sobriety and lead a fulfilling life free from alcohol dependence. If you or someone you know displays any of the signs above, you can get help before alcoholism develops or progresses. Don’t attempt to stop drinking on your own suddenly if you’ve been drinking heavily for a period of time.[8,9] You need professional management and supervision to safely stop drinking. In a comprehensive treatment program for alcoholism, you’ll gain coping skills to effectively stop drinking, be prescribed medications to manage AUD if needed, and build a healthier life in recovery.
A person with severe AUD will almost always experience symptoms of withdrawal when the alcohol in their body begins to wear off. This article explains the different stages of alcohol misuse and how to find support if a person needs it. Doctors and other health professionals are encouraged to talk to their patients about drinking at every appointment.[11] You’re not required to wait for your doctor to bring it up. You can make an appointment to talk specifically about alcohol and your need to quit. Your doctor can help you find a treatment program that’s right for you. Middle-stage alcoholics might deny their drinking problem or try to hide their alcohol use from others.
Enjoying the sensation of rapid onset drunkenness and drinking to seek inebriation as quickly as possible is dangerous and may indicate a deeper problem. Our mission is to provide patient-centered care that focuses on healing and recovery from addiction. This blog provides information, news, and uplifting content to help people in their recovery journey. Any stage of the Jellinek Curve is considered dangerous because the person is not consuming alcohol in moderation, which is the only safe way to drink. Moderate drinking means two drinks or fewer in a day for men or one drink or fewer in a day for women, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
After a long period of continuous heavy drinking, alcohol has contributed to the damage and deterioration of vital organs such as the liver, heart, kidneys, pancreas, and brain. Mental problems such as dementia or delirium tremens (DTs) occur, and they face an increased risk of developing cancer. Alcohol abusers often fail to realize the dangers of their drinking habits until they’ve moved into the middle stage of alcoholism. This stage of alcoholism starts when people experience an increasing tolerance to alcohol and raise their alcohol intake with greater frequency and quantity. Alcoholism is a chronic, often progressive disease involving excessive consumption of alcohol to the extent that it causes physical, mental, and social harm to an individual. Find support for yourself and other family members in a rehab family program.
