Researchers discovered a 35 percent increase in fatalities linked to alcohol during that decade, while the overall national death rate rose by 24 percent. No matter the stage of the disease, if you or someone you love is struggling with alcohol addiction, seek professional help to achieve the benefits of quitting alcohol and learn how to live a healthier life. Once detox is complete, alcoholics can begin tackling problematic behaviors related to their addiction and learn how to live sober again. Because alcoholism is a chronic disease and alcohol relapse is common, persistence is a necessity — but success is achievable.

  • During the entire study, registered alcohol consumption per capita was highest in Denmark and lowest in Sweden (Fig.​(Fig.7).7).
  • Alcoholism is known to have a negative impact on an individual’s overall health, including their lifespan.
  • Firstly, alcohol abuse can lead to liver disease, such as alcoholic hepatitis and cirrhosis, which can be life-threatening.
  • Registered total alcohol consumption in litres pure alcohol per capita in Denmark, Finland and Sweden from 1987 to 2006.
  • It’s not often talked about, but left untreated, alcohol use disorder can be a fatal disease.
  • Within her holistic practice of balance in mind, body, and spirit, she teaches the practice of meditation as a powerful way to discover, express, and heal the inner self.

When you consume large amounts of alcohol, it causes disruptions in the brain specifically with the communication pathways, often resulting in changes in mood and behaviors. If you drink enough alcohol, it could affect your coordination and ability to think clearly. Registered total alcohol consumption in litres pure alcohol per capita in Denmark, Finland and Sweden from 1987 to 2006. The contemplative stage ends with the decision how long do alcoholics live to make a change, yet further steps such as preparation, action, and later maintenance and likely relapse are usually needed before the addiction is controlled. For example, if your loved one passes out in the yard and you carefully help them into the house and into bed, only you feel the pain. The focus then becomes what you did (moved them) rather than what they did (drinking so much that they passed out outside).

Alcohol’s Effects on Aging

Medically-supervised detox followed by an inpatient treatment program can increase the likelihood of successful recovery and help people regain control. For more information on the stages of alcoholism for functioning alcoholics, contact us today. Alcoholism is a complex and chronic disease that significantly impacts the long-term health outcomes and life expectancy of affected individuals.

She also serves as the Alumni and Volunteer Liaison, guiding those in recovery to continue embracing their strength, hope and wisdom as they reintegrate into society. Symptoms can include digestive issues, jaundice, and brain and nervous system problems such as fainting and numbness in the extremities. In conclusion, the lifestyle factors of an alcoholic can have a significant impact on their overall health and lifespan. While everyone may experience this progression differently, there are four common stages people go through when becoming a functional alcoholic.

Stage #1: Occasional Alcohol Use And Binge Drinking

Life expectancy in people with AUD was lowest in Denmark and highest in Sweden (Table ​(Table2,2, Figs ​Figs33 and ​and4).4). In all three countries, life expectancy was longer for women than men, both for people with AUD and the general population (Table ​(Table2).2). People with AUD have among the highest all-cause mortality of all people who receive treatment for mental disorders (2, 3). A meta-analysis that included 81 observational studies from many countries showed that people with AUD have three-fold higher mortality in men and four-fold higher mortality in women than the general population (4). In all people who have AUD, mortality is relatively higher in women, younger people and people in treatment for addiction (4).

  • A number of cancers are also linked to long-term alcohol abuse, including head and neck cancer, breast cancer, colorectal cancer and liver cancer.
  • Regular heavy drinking causes sustained high blood pressure, leading to heart disease [8], with an increased chance of suffering from a heart attack or stroke.
  • This leads to a dangerous amount of swelling of the blood vessels in the pancreas that can disrupt proper digestion.
  • Equally, reducing alcohol intake can increase a person’s average life expectancy as there will be a decreased risk of fatal accidents occurring [6].