They found people who drank the equivalent of about five to 10 drinks a week could shorten their lives by up to six months. And they warned that people who drink more than 18 drinks a week could lose four to five years of their lives. This in itself reduces life expectancy, as sufferers were up to 7 times more likely to die before the age of 75 [28]. This means that drink driving leaves you with a 16% reduction in life expectancy and risk of a fatal accident from drink driving [27]. Research also suggests that drinking at this level often can lead to weight gain, putting unnecessary strain on the heart and leading to heart failure [8].

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 how long do alcoholics live than the bottle. By the time they’ve reached the third and final stage of alcoholism, drinking has consumed their lives. Their alcohol withdrawal symptoms are so severe that they must drink continually to avoid them.

Treatment Options for Alcoholism

Even 24 hours after being drunk can slow your body’s ability to ward off infections. In the United States, Americans can expect to live to 78.6 years, while those with untreated end-stage alcoholism have an average life expectancy of 48 years. Alcohol use disorder kills 1 out of every 10 adults aged 20-64, making alcoholism more deadly than automobile crashes, opioid abuse and gun violence combined. Here in the United States, death rates linked to long-term alcohol abuse are on the rise. The Institute for Health Metrics, University of Washington, compiled an analysis of alcohol-related deaths in the U.S. between 2007 and 2017.

Treatment can help individuals understand the root causes of their addiction, develop coping strategies, and learn healthier ways to manage stress and emotions. Drinking in large quantities over a long period of time can damage the heart and lead to problems including stroke, high blood pressure, heart disease, arrhythmias, and cardiomyopathy. Drinking large quantities of alcohol can increase your risk for short-term and long-term health effects or illness. These effects can continue to harm your health over the course of your entire lifetime. There may be very little you can do to help someone with AUD until they are ready to get help, but you can stop letting someone’s drinking problem dominate your thoughts and your life.

Save Your Life. Get Help for Alcoholism.

Esther’s extensive knowledge in Crisis Intervention has helped her motivate many individuals suffering from substance abuse issues take the first steps towards healing. Sophia joined Hemet Valley Recovery Center & Sage Retreat in November 2017, with two years of experience in the field of addiction, helping others learn a new way of life through the recovery process. Active within the recovery community, Sophia serves as a valuable resource to patients in the program as they leave treatment to continue their journey to a successful recovery.

However, this and other related misnomers such as “functional alcoholic” are no longer used because of the potential stigma that can prevent someone from seeking help. We are here to provide assistance in locating an Ark Behavioral Health treatment center that may meet your treatment needs. You nor your loved one are under any obligation to commit to an Ark Behavioral Health treatment program when calling our helpline. Most importantly, they can damage a part of the brain called the “hippocampus.” This part of the brain plays a major role in memory.

How Long Do Alcoholics Live? (Alcoholic Life Expectancy)

Building a strong support system is essential for individuals in recovery from alcoholism. Support can come from various sources, including family, friends, support groups, and mental health professionals. Having a network of people who understand the challenges of alcoholism and provide encouragement can make a significant difference in maintaining sobriety and improving life expectancy.

People hospitalized with alcohol use disorder have an average life expectancy of 47–53 years (men) and 50–58 years (women) and die 24–28 years earlier than people in the general population. Without treatment, end-stage alcoholics are likely to suffer from a combination of symptoms including internal bleeding, spikes in their body temperature, swelling of the legs (edema), and jaundice (yellowing of the skin). Men often experience erectile dysfunction and testicular atrophy, while women can have painful swelling in one or both breasts. Death is usually caused by a combination of internal bleeding and a buildup of toxins within the body and can include seizures and/or cardiac arrest.

Medication-assisted treatment involves the use of medications to help manage cravings and withdrawal symptoms. Behavioral therapies, such as cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) and motivational interviewing, can help individuals develop healthier behaviors and coping strategies. Support groups, such as Alcoholics Anonymous (AA), provide a supportive community and a platform for sharing experiences and seeking guidance.

• And as tolerance builds, they’ll begin to drink more and more to achieve the same buzz or high they’re used to.
• Those in the end stage of alcoholism, or late or deteriorative stage, are consumed by their drinking.
• You will likely lose your job, you’ll have interactions with the police due to your binge drinking, and your relationships with your loved ones may be fractured.
• If you are an alcoholic or a person who regularly abuses alcohol it can severely decrease your life expectancy and longevity of living a healthy life.

Most alcoholics are diagnosed with liver disease between the age of 30 and 40 [13], giving an expectation of, at best, 52 years of age. Understanding the potential risks and consequences of alcoholism can serve as a motivation for individuals to seek treatment and make positive changes in their lives. The alcohol detox and rehab program at Inland Detox can help you move through recovery comfortably and in a safe environment, with the support of our highly trained staff.

Studies suggest that maintaining sobriety for 7 years minimum is the best way to minimise any permanent harm to a person’s physical health [17]. There were 525,000 incidents of violent crime where the offender was under the influence of alcohol in 2020 [23], which therefore has a direct link to fatal accidents and the expected life span of an alcoholic. Moderate drinkers (more than 7 drinks per week) are significantly more likely to suffer from a stroke than light drinkers [26]. People between the ages of 20 and 39 are the largest age group affected, as 13.5% of all deaths are alcohol-related [9]. For example, a person drinking between 2 and 3 pints of beer a night will likely die 5 years sooner than someone who sticks to the recommended government guidelines of 100g per week [10].