The majority of persons suffering from crippling alcoholism are unaware of the harm they are causing to themselves. It is the final step or end-stage of alcoholism for many people.
Alcoholism that is crippling is also known as high-functioning alcoholism. It’s a term that describes someone who can’t function because of their alcohol usage. Someone with severe alcoholism has been a long-term, heavy drinker whose body has been harmed by alcohol abuse.
A person suffering from crippling alcoholism spends the most of their time drinking. Malnutrition and co-occurring mental health disorders are among the mental and physical health difficulties.
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Crippling Alcoholism vs. Regular Alcoholism –
The amount of time a person has been a heavy drinker and the bad impacts their alcoholism has caused are the differences between debilitating and normal alcoholism.
Regular alcoholism is a dreadful condition, yet it is possible for a person’s body to recover and live a sober life.
It is conceivable for an alcoholic in their later stages to recover, but their bodies are unlikely to totally recover. Those suffering from cripplingalcoholism are significantly less likely to achieve long-term abstinence. There are several sorts of alcoholics, as well as alcoholic personalities and tolerances. The long-term health consequences are the same.
Consider the stages of alcohol use disorder (AUD) to understand the difference between debilitating and ordinary alcoholism:
Stage 1 –
People who are pre-alcoholics or who drink to relieve anxiety, feel better, or dull their emotional suffering. They use alcohol as a coping strategy, but they are still in control of their drinking.
Stage 2 –
Early alcoholics or persons who drink excessively and develop blackouts or other health problems as a result of their drinking. They think a lot about drinking, drink too much when they do, and lie to others about it.
Stage 3 –
Weight gain, face redness, bloating, and sluggishness are some of the physical indications of alcoholism that appear at this stage. This stage of alcoholism has been reached by many persons in 12-step programmes.
Stage 4 –
Alcoholics in their late stages or who have dedicated their entire lives to drinking. They’ve put their health, livelihoods, and loved ones on the line to drink. Stopping drinking causes hallucinations, DTs, and other significant consequences.
How Does it Feel to be a Crippling Alcoholic?
Late-stage alcoholics have a variety of health problems. Reaching this stage of alcoholism does not feel good or comfortable, but many people are unaware of how horrible they are feeling since they are intoxicated.
The following are some of the most typical challenges that a debilitating alcoholic faces:
- Shortness of breath
- Fatigue
- Swelling in the legs, ankles, and feet
- Weakness
- Loss of appetite
- Dizziness
- Fainting
- Weakened or irregular pulse
Some Physical Signs and Symptoms include-
- Weight gain or decrease that occurs quickly
- Slow or stumbling walk
- Inability to sleep or stay awake
- Unexplained bruises or marks
- Glazed or red eyes
- Cold, sweaty palms or shaking hands
- Puffy face, blushing, or paleness
- Nausea, vomiting, or excessive sweating
- Low or no energy
- Depressed or anxious
- Personal appearance or hygiene degradation
If you suspect a family member or loved one is suffering from alcoholism, understand that it will not “go away” on its own. Their brain is changing, and if they don’t get help, major long-term problems may result. “An estimated 88,000 individuals die from alcohol-related causes annually,” according to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, “making alcohol the third leading preventable cause of death in the United States.
Help & Treatment
Finding the right professional treatment for addicts and families who are suffering from the effects of addiction can be difficult. There are numerous treatment alternatives accessible, all of which offer high-quality programmes and knowledgeable staff. Despite the abundance of high-quality tools and assistance accessible to addicts and their loved ones, many people are confused by their options. It might be difficult to find the proper individuals to talk to and the right advice. For individuals who have reached the point of crippling alcoholism, recovery and sober living are more difficult, but it is doable. One may reach Tarzana Recovery Center and talk to professionals about the treatment and programs.
Medically supervised detox is the initial stage of treatment for severe alcoholism. This aids the individual in overcoming their physical dependence on alcohol and guarantees that they begin the recovery process in the best possible physical condition.
Even if you or a loved one has reached the point of crippling alcoholism, remember that recovery is possible and that there are advantages to living a sober life. Getting sober, despite the harm done to a late-stage alcoholic’s body, extends the person’s life beyond what they would have lived if they continued to drink heavily.
