Only about 5 percent of patients with alcohol withdrawal progress to DTs, but about 5 percent of these patients die. Once stabilized, the goal is to transition from detox, to treatment, to maintenance (practicing sober living by changing your life), to transcendence—the final step in the path to recovery. At this point, it’s obvious to those close to you that you’re struggling. You might miss work, forget to pick up the kids, become irritable, and notice physical signs of alcohol abuse (facial redness, weight gain or loss, sluggishness, stomach bloating). The late stage also links to the progression of alcohol-related diseases and damage. In time, the person will become visibly afflicted, even when they are not drunk.

Finding Detox and Treatment

Whether you or a loved one is beginning this journey or seeking the next step, it’s important to understand the stages of alcohol rehabilitation and how they work together to support long-term sobriety. Recovery is possible, and with determination, support, and a focus on personal growth, individuals can achieve and maintain a fulfilling, sober life. During the first 1-4 weeks of recovery, managing PAWS is critical to prevent relapse, as the discomfort of lingering withdrawal symptoms can tempt individuals to return to alcohol use. Healthcare providers are vital in identifying and treating PAWS with evidence-based interventions. Adjustments in lifestyle and continuous support can aid individuals during this vulnerable phase.

Alcohol Recovery Stages Weeks 2 and 3

Many in the addiction arena, however, argue that alcohol addiction is a chronic disease that never completely goes away. They believe that the risk of relapse always remains and that the disease requires lifelong treatment. At this point, people are committed to change and are preparing to take action within the next several days or weeks. Although they are still drinking, they’ve likely begun telling friends and family members about their plan to change their behavior — but they may still feel some ambivalence about their choice.

With excessive alcohol consumption, this important organ can’t metabolize Vitamin D, which could develop into a deficiency. Some common signs and symptoms of cirrhosis include fatigue, itchy skin, weight loss, nausea, yellow eyes and skin, abdominal pain and swelling or bruising. Tolerance tends to sneak up on people when they’re developing an alcohol addiction. When two beers don’t produce a good buzz anymore, a person may start drinking an entire six-pack in one sitting. It’s common for people with an alcohol use disorder to switch from beer to wine to hard liquor because it is a more cost-effective way to get drunk.

What Happens During Detox

This stage is uncomfortable, mentally and physically taxing, and even painful at times. The action stage can last anywhere from 3 to 18 months, and there is a high risk of relapse during this time. They are rationalizing, denying, and hiding their abusive behavior, although they are currently experiencing the negative impact of their addiction. The number one expert recommendation for making progress in recovery is to consistently engage with a treatment program and recovery community.

Prolonged abstinence along with healthy eating and exercise during this stage can also allow people to begin recovery from liver damage. At the preparation stage, alcoholics have decided to make a change, and they are planning to take meaningful steps toward Halfway house recovery in the near future. Contemplation can be an uncomfortable process, and feelings of guilt, shame, hopelessness and desperation are common as people reach this crossroads in their addiction journey. During this stage, people are experiencing the negative impacts of their alcohol addiction, but they have no intention of changing their behavior.

It is during this phase that individuals may start to question their drinking habits and the impact it has on their lives. Health experts increasingly recognize “gray area drinking“—a space between moderate consumption and severe alcohol use disorder. In this middle ground, you might not meet the clinical criteria for addiction, but your relationship with alcohol is causing subtle problems in your health, relationships, or daily functioning. By the time you reach the third stage of AUD, symptoms are more obvious to you and those around you. Your drinking is affecting your ability to take care of responsibilities at work and home and getting in the way of day-to-day life.

Cori’s goal is to ensure all patient’s needs are met in https://ecosoberhouse.com/article/sober-curious-what-it-means-and-its-benefits/ an accurate and timely manner. She is a Certified Recovery Residence Administrator with The Florida Certification Board and licensed Notary Public in the state of Florida. In the US alone, over 140,000 people die from excessive alcohol use – 380 deaths per day.

• Recovery from alcoholism is all about codifying your new skills into habits.
• At Greater Boston Addiction Centers, we know that the decision to seek help for alcohol addiction isn’t easy—but it’s one of the most important choices you’ll ever make.
• Avoiding high-risk situations, building a structured daily routine, and finding new hobbies strengthen long-term recovery.
• Always seek the advice of a physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.

While a lot of people will try to get sober for family members, to keep their job or other external motivators, that doesn’t work in the long run. Work with a support team to make sure that you are staying focused on moving forward and not dwelling in the past or repeating unhealthy behaviors. You can even find rehabilitation centers that have an organic and/or vegan menu to help their patients heal better.

The Importance of Alcohol Recovery

Adaptability to life’s challenges without alcohol fosters emotional resilience. Sobriety is a lifelong journey, but with consistency and purpose, it becomes a sustainable, rewarding lifestyle. Opioid detox is a physically and emotionally grueling process with symptoms like muscle pain, nausea, anxiety, and insomnia, but with the right support, recovery is possible. It’s important to remember that different individuals respond differently to various therapeutic approaches.

Individuals may experience a range of emotions, including denial, shame, guilt, and fear. However, it is essential to confront these feelings and understand that alcohol has become a problem in their lives. The next few months are pretty similar alcohol recovery stages, though you will now have time to look at other areas of your life.

The tools that you learn to use now will help you throughout your recovery. These stages were developed by the National Institute on Drug Abuse as a resource on individual drug counseling for healthcare providers, but it is also a useful model for recovery from alcohol addiction. Cirrhosis of the liverOur liver filters out harmful substances, cleans our blood, stores energy and aids in digestion. Too much alcohol can be toxic to liver cells, causing dehydration and permanent scarring—which ultimately affects the blood flow.

• Understanding the stages of alcoholism, from early to end-stage, is crucial in order to recognize the signs and symptoms, seek appropriate interventions, and provide necessary support.
• However, it is likely that you will still have some emotional issues to deal with.
• The next stage, maintenance and relapse prevention, focuses on sustaining sobriety and establishing a support network for ongoing recovery.
• Choosing to seek treatment is the only way to safely and effectively begin your journey to recovery.
• The late stage (or “chronic” stage) is when alcohol abuse completely takes over and a person feels a total loss of control over their drinking.

In 2020, opioid-related deaths only surpassed alcohol deaths by seven percent. These numbers place alcohol as the third-leading preventable cause of death in the country. Acupuncture, yoga and a healthy diet are just a few things that can help you to create a lifelong habit of health and wellness that doesn’t cause you to reach for the bottle when things go awry.