What Is End-Stage Alcoholism?

What Are the Symptoms of End-Stage Alcoholism?

If drinking has been a big part of your life for a long time, any of these symptoms could indicate late-stage alcoholism:³

• Yellowing skin (jaundice)
• Swollen legs or feet
• Fever
• Shaking
• Unexplained weight loss
• Digestive problems
• Bruising easily
• Lower alcohol tolerance
• Dementia⁴
• Low blood pressure
• Poor muscle coordination
• Tremor
• Memory issues
• Heart problems⁵
• Trouble breathing

These symptoms could indicate a variety of serious health conditions. Some of them can also affect people who don’t drink. However, drinking can increase your risk of both severe and mild health issues. The CDC explains that alcohol abuse weakens your immune system,⁵ “increasing the chances of getting sick.”

What Are the Health Effects of End-Stage Alcoholism?

Long-term, chronic alcohol abuse can cause many severe health problems. While some of these issues can be managed or cured, continuing to drink will make them worse. If your alcohol addiction leads to any of these diagnoses, your care plan should include treatment for AUD.

Cirrhosis

The liver is responsible for filtering blood,⁶ removing toxins like alcohol and drugs. Excessive drinking puts a strain on this organ. Over time, alcohol abuse causes liver disease:⁷ 

• Stage 1: Fatty Liver Disease is the accumulation of fat in the liver.
• Stage 2: Hepatitis includes inflammation of the liver cells. This disease is reversible with immediate treatment, including total abstinence from drinking. Without proper care, it can cause liver failure.
• Stage 3: Cirrhosis is permanent scarring of the liver. The National Institutes of Health (NIH) refer to this condition as “the end-stage of liver disease.”

With cirrhosis, scar tissue takes the place of normal liver cells.⁸ As a result, the liver can’t function correctly. Cirrhosis causes digestive issues⁹ and skin problems, and can even affect your mental health.

Wernicke-Korsakoff Syndrome

It can be hard to recognize Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome¹⁰ because it shares symptoms with other mental health issues. It often mimics early-onset dementia. But in fact, this condition is a combination of 2 different diagnoses:

• Wernicke’s encephalopathy is a severe vitamin B1 (thiamine) deficiency that damages certain regions of the brain. This condition can cause confusion, low blood pressure, and hypothermia. It can also interfere with vision and muscle control.
• Korsakoff syndrome also includes a B1 deficiency, but this disease almost always results from AUD. Its primary symptoms are amnesia and confusion. It can also cause tremors and vision problems.

With intensive medical care, Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome is somewhat treatable. However, experts at the NIH say that “improvement in memory function is slow and, usually, incomplete. Without treatment, these disorders can be disabling and life-threatening.”

Pancreatitis

Alcohol abuse can lead to acute or chronic pancreatitis.¹¹ This is a necro-inflammatory disease, meaning that it irritates and then destroys pancreatic tissue. Data shows that AUD causes up to 25% of all cases of pancreatitis.

This condition causes gastrointestinal symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, and the inability to eat. It can also cause jaundice. There are no widely accepted medications for this disease. Instead, treatment involves managing your most severe symptoms. For example, if you’re unable to eat, you might receive nutrients through an IV. 

Acute pancreatitis can resolve with proper care. Continuing to drink, however, can cause repeat attacks. Over time these generally lead to chronic pancreatitis, which is a much more serious condition. 

Alcoholic Cardiomyopathy

Drinking has a complex effect on heart health. Some research shows that alcohol abuse raises your risk of heart problems¹² including arrhythmia, heart attack, and congestive heart failure. Other studies report that drinking may protect against some common symptoms of heart disease.¹³ We need more data to understand the big picture. 

However, the data about alcoholic cardiomyopathy (ACM) is clear. This heart condition is always caused by alcohol abuse.¹⁴ In acute cases, drinking large amounts of alcohol inflames the heart tissue, which can cause arrhythmia. Chronic ACM can damage multiple major organs. This disease can mimic congestive heart failure, and so be difficult to diagnose. The primary treatment is abstinence from alcohol. 

Cancer

The CDC puts it very simply: “The less alcohol you drink, the lower your risk for cancer.”¹⁵ Drinking increases everyone’s risk of mouth, throat, liver, and colon cancer, and women’s risk of breast cancer. Some data suggests it might also increase the risk of prostate, stomach, and pancreatic cancer. 

Quitting alcohol lowers your cancer risk,¹⁶ but not immediately. Data shows that it can take years or even decades for your risk to return to what it was before. If you already have cancer, drinking might also interfere with treatment. 

What Are the Treatments for End-Stage Alcoholism?

Late-stage alcoholism looks a little different for everyone. You could have one or many of the diseases that often appear in this phase of AUD. And for every illness, different people have different symptoms. Your exact diagnosis and recovery goals will determine your treatment plan.

It’s important to be realistic about your prognosis. With patience and commitment, some people can fully recover. However, that’s not an option for everyone. Some of these health issues are irreversible. Talk to the experts at your center to learn about your specific options. Whatever conditions you’re facing, addiction recovery is almost certainly an important part of treatment. 

Medical Detox

If you have a physical dependence on alcohol, it’s essential to start recovery with medical detox. Without the right medical care, alcohol withdrawal can be fatal.¹⁷

Detox programs can last anywhere from a few days to a couple of weeks. You’ll work with a team of doctors, nurses, and therapists during treatment. They may prescribe non-addictive medications to help with the physical and emotional symptoms of withdrawal. Many centers offer 24/7 care to help you navigate this difficult time.

Withdrawal is just the first step of addiction recovery. Most programs require patients to plan for longer-term treatment before they begin detox. Usually, that means signing up for a residential rehab program.

Residential Rehab

To recover from late-stage alcohol addiction, you’ll need a rehab program that offers medical care. Most people in this phase need to heal from both emotional and physical symptoms. In the right treatment center, you can work toward multiple goals at the same time.

Residential treatment usually lasts at least a few weeks to a month, but it can take longer. If you need more structured support after rehab, you’ll have several options for aftercare. For example, you could attend an intensive outpatient program (IOP) or move to a sober living home. 

When drinking is such a large part of your routine, it can take time to build a sober life you love. Initially, rehab might be your response to a medical emergency. But while you’re there, you’ll also get to practice new coping skills. During and after treatment, those skills will help you navigate a more sustainable lifestyle. 

Ongoing Medical Care

If you have a chronic medical condition due to alcohol abuse—like cirrhosis—you may need long-term medical treatment. This could include medications, regular doctor visits, or other medical interventions. 

For many of these conditions, doctors recommend permanent sobriety. Timothy Morgan, MD, explains that “Cessation of alcohol is necessary¹⁸ to treat alcoholic liver disease.” And even with total abstinence, you might experience some chronic symptoms. Before you leave rehab, talk to your care team and make a plan for your ongoing treatment.

Support Groups

In any stage of addiction and recovery, social support can help you heal from AUD.¹⁹ This is especially important for people with end-stage alcoholism. After many years of alcohol abuse, your addiction can take a toll on your relationships. Treatment might help you reconnect with loved ones or get to know new people. 

Some clients achieve this in family therapy. You can also use the 12-Step approach to addiction recovery. Many rehabs use this framework in all aspects of treatment, including talk therapy and other activities. You can also find free AA Meetings all over the world, and even online. If you find the 12 Steps helpful during treatment, you can keep going to meetings after you leave rehab.

Find Effective Treatment for Alcoholism

End-stage alcohol addiction can impact every part of your life. If you’re dealing with a combination of mental health problems, physical symptoms, and relationship issues, it can be hard to conceive of recovery. That’s where rehab comes in. 

Connect with a rehab for alcoholism to start planning a better future.

Frequently Asked Questions About End-Stage Alcoholism