The Three Stages of Alcoholism: Early, Middle, & End-Stage Alcoholism

Children may no longer be able to rely on the adult with AUD, which can place undue pressures on them. They might also be at risk for other forms of physical and emotional violence. Part of the reason alcohol addiction is so prevalent in the United States is due to how long do alcoholics live its wide availability and affordability compared to other substances, in addition to the fact that it can be purchased legally. If you’re living with someone who has AUD, it’s important to understand what’s behind the addiction to alcohol and to learn how to cope.

  • Generally, comprehensive treatment for AUD also includes medical detox, group, and family therapies.
  • To analyse mortality and life expectancy in people with alcohol use disorder in Denmark, Finland and Sweden.
  • Antiviral drugs can prevent additional liver damage due to viral hepatitis.
  • Symptoms include weight loss, fatigue, muscle cramps, easy bruising, and jaundice.

While the abstinence stage of withdrawal causes mostly physical symptoms, post-acute withdrawal is very psychological and emotional. During this stage, most people focus their energy on coping with cravings and resisting the urge to drink. So far, there’s no consensus on the medical definition of recovery in alcohol treatment literature. American Addiction Centers (AAC) is committed to delivering original, truthful, accurate, unbiased, and medically current information.

How Do Lifestyle Factors Of An Alcoholic Influence Average Lifespan?

This can lead to a serious neurological disorder known as “wet brain syndrome”—better known in the medical community as Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome. Some of the genes that affect the risk for alcoholism have been identified, and they include genes related to alcohol metabolism such as ADH1B and ALDH2. These genes have the strongest known effects on the risk for alcoholism. Additionally, alcoholics may experience disturbed sleep patterns, which can lead to fatigue and other health problems. This can lead to malnutrition and a weakened immune system, which can increase the risk of developing a range of health problems.

how long can an alcoholic live

In social situations, they may be unable to stop drinking when others do and find that they can’t handle as much as they previously could without becoming drunk. Blackout episodes, where the individual does not remember what they’ve said or done while drinking, may occur. During end-stage alcoholism, a person may struggle with involuntary https://ecosoberhouse.com/article/alcohol-and-aging-does-alcohol-make-you-look-older/ rapid eye movement (nystagmus) or weakness and paralysis of the eye muscles due to thiamin (vitamin B1) deficiency. This deficiency can also cause dementia if not treated immediately. Research has shown that long-term alcohol misuse can have a lasting impact on the brain, although some areas may recover with abstinence.

How Long Does Alcohol Stay In Urine?

Medical factors play a crucial role in determining how long alcoholics live. Alcoholism can lead to various physical and mental health issues, including liver disease, cardiovascular disease, cancer, and mental health disorders such as depression and anxiety. These health conditions can significantly impact an alcoholic’s life expectancy [2]. At this point, an individual may develop a serious disease, such as cirrhosis of the liver. As individuals continually consume alcohol, their liver produces scar tissue instead of new healthy tissue. Over time, the scar tissue in the liver prevents the necessary flow of blood.

They may appear red in the face or look bloated and generally unwell. The alcoholic probably isn’t sleeping or eating well at this point and may not be keeping up with personal hygiene. So, what—exactly—is a “wet brain?” According to the National Organization for Rare Disorders, Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome is really two different disorders.