Alcohol-related dementia, also known as Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome, can lead to confusion, memory loss, and personality changes. Alcohol use disorder (AUD) is a serious condition that can have devastating effects on a person’s life, relationships, and health. At this stage, the effects of long-term alcohol use become apparent and more severe, affecting a person’s health and quality of life. Unfortunately, the life expectancy of someone in the end stages of alcoholism can be significantly shortened. This is due to the damage that excessive alcohol consumption can cause to vital organs such as the liver, heart, and brain. However, with proper medical attention and treatment, it’s possible to extend one’s lifespan and improve their quality of life.
Health conditions caused by end stage alcoholism can include fatigue, malnutrition, jaundice, heart failure, anemia, alcohol dementia, and cirrhosis. When the liver can no longer metabolize the alcohol quickly enough, it will send it back into the bloodstream. The disease will initially go through the early and middle stages before reaching the end stage. Early intervention helps reduce your risk of alcohol dependence and addiction. Overall, chronic-stage AUD not only deteriorates physical health but also erodes the fabric of social interactions, often leading to isolation and conflict within personal relationships.
Access to Treatment
- Medicines like acamprosate, disulfiram, and naltrexone are prescribed, monitored, and adjusted to deal with cravings and uplift the quality of life.
- However, if there are at least two of the DSM-5’s 11 factors for alcohol use disorder present within a year, a diagnosis may be warranted.
- As people begin to notice the drinking problem, the drinker is in denial.
- Relapse is a huge risk with alcohol use disorder and can undo the effort a person has put into their recovery.
- Typically, treatment will involve hospitalization to stabilize any ongoing medical conditions and a medically assisted detox to safely manage any severe withdrawal symptoms.
Depending on how bad their alcohol abuse has been or if medically-assisted alcohol detox will be needed for withdrawal symptoms, entering into a treatment center may be a necessary option. Professional medical staff can assist in the difficult process of withdrawal, making the transition into sobriety less daunting. The average life expectancy of an alcoholic can be significantly shorter than that of the general population. It varies depending on factors such as overall health, the severity of alcoholism, the presence of other health conditions, and access to treatment. However, end-stage alcoholism can lead to a significantly reduced life expectancy.
Seek Professional Help
A medically supervised detox can help alleviate the drinker’s condition when done early and control withdrawal symptoms. Early-stage alcoholics often lie about their drinking patterns and may tend to spike drinks with alcohol. More often than not, their productivity is affected and may breed poor performance at their workplace or in academics.
Early Stages of Alcoholism
A progressive disease, alcoholism has three stages terminating in end-stage alcoholism and potentially life-threatening complications. Today’s guide will outline how to take action and engage with alcohol addiction treatment before it’s too late. End-stage alcoholism can be treated, and someone can still achieve sobriety after reaching this stage.
Medically-Supervised Detoxification:
Without proper medical attention, end-stage alcoholism can be life-threatening. The timeline varies, but many people experience improvements in liver function, blood pressure, and mental clarity within weeks to months of quitting alcohol. Starting the journey to recovery may feel overwhelming, but with the right support and approach, it is entirely possible to overcome alcohol addiction and improve both longevity and quality of life. Effective treatment for alcoholism addresses both the physical and psychological aspects of addiction.
- Late-stage alcoholism requires a more intensive and comprehensive treatment approach than middle-stage alcoholism.
- By Buddy TBuddy T is a writer and founding member of the Online Al-Anon Outreach Committee with decades of experience writing about alcoholism.
- Your insurance plan may cover some or all of the cost of alcohol rehab.
- It is important to note that not everyone with alcohol addiction reaches this stage, as the progression of the disease can vary from person to person.
- During end-stage alcoholism, the body experiences severe damage to various organs, including the liver, brain, heart, and gastrointestinal system.
- While some of these issues can be managed or cured, continuing to drink will make them worse.
In this last stage of alcoholism, the individual often exhibits both physical and mental health issues. The damaged liver can cause other complications in the body since it is a vital organ. The liver is responsible for over 500 tasks to ensure the body is functioning as healthy as possible. Other long-term health risks of alcohol abuse, like heart problems and stroke, stem from chronic alcohol abuse in end-stage alcoholism.
Can Parents Lose Child Custody for Drug Use?
A condition called alcohol hallucinosis can occur, causing hallucinations that seem real. This can lead someone to act dangerously, such as attempting to fly by jumping off a high building or walking in traffic because they believe they are somewhere other than an active roadway. end stage alcoholism life expectancy of an alcoholic Nonetheless, an addition of behavior therapies and support groups could go a long way to help the recovering alcoholic maintain sobriety.
Chances are good you’ll find yourself constantly thinking about alcohol. You will experience the physical effects of alcoholism like weight gain or loss, stomach bloating, alcohol withdrawal headaches and shakiness, particularly when you’re craving a drink. End-stage alcoholism is the most dangerous and severe stage of alcoholism. During the middle stage of alcoholism, symptoms become apparent to friends and family members. You may start missing work or important social events because of drinking issues or hangovers. Yes, genetics can influence susceptibility to alcohol-related health issues, such as liver disease or addiction, which may impact life expectancy.
Within 5 minutes, you’ll receive an email with these details – free of charge. John C. Umhau, MD, MPH, CPE is board-certified in addiction medicine and preventative medicine. For over 20 years Dr. Umhau was a senior clinical investigator at the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism of the National Institutes of Health (NIH).
Alcohol addiction comes in various stages, from mild addiction to full-blown abuse. It can start with just having an occasional drink to consistently getting blackout drunk, producing devastating consequences that negatively impact the person’s life. The worst stage health-wise is end-stage alcoholism, which can be fatal if left untreated.
Leave a Reply