We publish material that is researched, cited, edited and reviewed by licensed medical professionals. The information we provide is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. It should not be used in place of the advice of your physician or physical characteristics of alcoholics other qualified healthcare providers. Cirrhosis of the liver
Our 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.

The goal of outpatient treatment is to provide therapy, education, and support in a flexible environment. The individual can stay in this stage for many years but eventually start showing more disordered behaviors. Once you quit drinking, your body can begin to recover from some of the damage or, at the very least, prevent it from getting worse. Chronic, long-term drinking can contribute to malnutrition by replacing foods needed for essential nutrients and by interfering with absorption, storage, or metabolism of the essential nutrients. This can also lead to anemia, when your red blood cell (RBC) count is lower than normal or there’s a problem with the hemoglobin protein inside those cells. To learn more about alcohol treatment options and search for quality care near you, please visit the NIAAA Alcohol Treatment Navigator.

Symptoms of End-Stage Alcoholism

Eventually, their tissue cells may become dependent on alcohol to function normally. A person with early-stage alcoholism may also exhibit a high tolerance to alcohol. Their tolerance may go unnoticed by everyone except the people they spend the most time with. Later, it can cause fatigue, bleeding and bruising, itchy skin, yellow discoloration of the skin and eyes and fluid accumulation in the abdomen known as ascites.

By the time a person reaches end-stage alcoholism, drinking has taken over their lives and has likely had a negative impact on relationships, work or school, finances, and overall health. If a person tries to quit drinking on their own during end-stage alcoholism, they may experience severe symptoms of withdrawal, including tremors and hallucinations. One of the most severe consequences of alcohol withdrawal is called delirium tremens (« the DTs »), which if left untreated, can be fatal. The damaged liver can cause other complications in the body since it is a vital organ.

Symptoms and Signs of Alcohol Addiction: Am I Addicted to Alcohol?

Those in the end stage of alcoholism, or late or deteriorative stage, are consumed by their drinking. Years of chronic alcohol consumption have ravaged their body and mind, and their lives revolve around little else other than the bottle. Alcohol has been found to be directly causally related to some diseases and conditions, such as mouth cancer in a person with a history of heavy chronic drinking. In the unfortunate event that a chronic drinker develops a serious health condition or disease, the treating physician can explain whether alcohol was a direct cause or a component cause. The attending physician can also explain how continued drinking will impact the specific condition(s) present. However, if a person has an attachment to drinking, such as relying on it to “have a good time,” they may develop problematic drinking habits and eventually develop an AUD.

how long does it take to develop physical signs of alcoholism