Symptoms of End Stage Alcoholism

Alcoholism is a serious and potentially fatal disease, despite some attitudes that it is nothing more than a chosen behavior. While an alcoholic can quit drinking during the first two stages of alcoholism, during the critical third or end stage he must be under a physician's supervision to stop drinking safely. Specific symptoms of end stage alcoholism vary for each individual but tend to follow a general pattern.

Impact on Lifestyle

By the time an alcoholic reaches the end stage of the disease, she has allowed alcohol consumption to overtake everything else in her life. Finances and family relationships have deteriorated. She may be dealing with an arrest or other legal problems. Continuing to ignore or deny the physical and emotional symptoms of end stage alcoholism can result in death---if not from the physical damage of long-term alcohol abuse, then from an alcohol overdose, a car accident or suicide.

Physical Signs

An end stage alcoholic shows clear evidence of physical damage. Liver function is impaired, and the organ can no longer filter blood correctly. The liver damage will lead to small, spiderlike vein hemorrhaging on the alcoholic's skin; dry, flaky skin; and noticeable swelling in his face, hands, feet and belly.

Mental Signs

Impaired brain function will be evident. The alcoholic will become confused; have an increase in sleepiness; lose the ability to remember recent information such as names, places and dates; or forget familiar numbers such as her own address, phone number, social security number or driver's license number.

Medical Assessment

At this advanced stage of alcoholism, the alcoholic must undergo medical tests to determine the extent of the physical damage. If over 90 percent of his liver is damaged, a transplant is necessary, on condition that a doctor determines this to be a viable option. If the physical damage has progressed far enough, the alcoholic's condition is terminal.

End Stage Care

Alcoholics tend to avoid physicians. They don't want to quit drinking, and they know that healthcare professionals will recognize the alcoholism behind their symptoms. However, by the end stage of the disease, professional medical attention is a necessary way of life. It is extremely important for an end stage alcoholic to be under a doctor's care or in the hospital before she attempts to quit drinking. Sadly, some of the physical changes are irreversible at this stage, and a lifetime of poor health will ensure.