Dr Barbara Nawrot Updated: November 20, 2025, 12:00 Table of Contents
The final stage of alcoholism is a moment when the body and psyche of the individual are already extremely depleted. At this stage, addiction is not just about reaching for alcohol – it's a disease that encompasses every aspect of life, leading to serious damage to internal organs, mental problems, and gradual loss of strength. Symptoms before an alcoholic's death can be difficult to bear both for the patient themselves and for their loved ones. Knowledge about what the final stage of alcoholism looks like can help in understanding the seriousness of the problem and make it clear how important it is to start treatment as early as possible. It's worth remembering that even in a very advanced stage of the disease, help must be sought – professional support gives a chance to improve quality of life and stop the process of body deterioration.The final phase of alcoholism – what sets it apart?
The final stage of alcohol disease is defined as the chronic phase. This is the moment when addiction completely takes control over the life of the addicted person. Alcohol becomes the only and most important goal – all other needs, relationships, or responsibilities take a back seat. This is accompanied by progressive moral, mental, and physical degradation. The alcoholic loses control over their behavior, neglects appearance, professional and family obligations. The body undergoes poisoning, and cognitive processes weaken – dementia, memory problems, and emotional disorders appear. This phase is a borderline point – without treatment, it leads to complete exhaustion of the body and ultimately to death. Read also: Phases and stages of alcoholism – when will you fall into addiction?Final stage of alcoholism – symptoms
The final phase of alcoholism is a time when the body and psyche of the addicted person are already extremely depleted. The effects of years of drinking are visible at almost every level of functioning – from external appearance, through physical condition, to mental and emotional state.- Body exhaustion – patients are often emaciated, lose appetite, and their body has no strength for regeneration. General weakness and hygiene neglect become visible.
- Consciousness and memory disorders – dementia appears, orientation problems and short-term memory lapses. The alcoholic has difficulty with logical thinking and attention concentration.
- Symptoms of coexisting diseases – at this stage, health consequences are particularly intensified: liver cirrhosis, alcoholic epilepsy, heart failure, and other multi-organ complications that can lead to sudden death.
- Mental problems – the addicted person experiences aggression, violent mood swings, delusions, or hallucinations. Full-blown alcoholic psychoses may also occur, which additionally deepen the suffering of the patient and their loved ones.
Symptoms before an alcoholic's death
In the last days of an addicted person's life, symptoms of alcohol disease can become exceptionally severe. The body, exhausted by years of drinking, stops functioning properly, and organs gradually fail.- Extreme weakness – the patient has no strength to perform even basic activities. Most of the time is spent in bed, and daily activity becomes impossible.
- Signs of liver failure – typical are: jaundice (yellowing of skin and eyes), limb edema, and ascites, meaning fluid accumulation in the abdominal cavity.
- Internal bleeding – advanced liver cirrhosis leads to rupture of esophageal varices or bleeding from the digestive tract. Such complications can be the direct cause of death.
- Breathing and heart disorders – the weakened body is unable to maintain proper vital functions, shortness of breath, heart palpitations, and irregular breathing appear.
- Loss of consciousness and neurological symptoms – frequent fainting, convulsions, or symptoms of hepatic encephalopathy indicate serious damage to the nervous system.
Agonal state of an alcoholic – what does an alcoholic's death look like?
The agonal state is the final phase of life, in which the body gradually loses the ability to maintain basic functions. In an alcoholic whose body is already extremely exhausted by years of drinking, this process has a particularly dramatic course. It is visible primarily in breathing disorders – breathing becomes wheezing, irregular, and interrupted by long pauses. This is accompanied by irregular heart function, which beats slower and weaker. The patient loses consciousness, and their body stops responding to external stimuli: touch, light, or voice. Gradually, there is a loss of all vital functions. Blood cannot oxygenate tissues, so the skin becomes cold and bluish. Finally, the ultimate cessation of breathing and heart function occurs – the moment of death. For loved ones, observing the agonal state is an exceptionally difficult experience. However, it's worth knowing that this process is a natural conclusion of the disease in its most depleting stage, which can be avoided.Can this process be stopped?
Although the picture of the final stage of alcoholism is dramatic, this does not mean that every story must end in death. The only effective way to avoid the most severe symptoms is to start treatment before the disease enters the chronic phase. The faster the alcoholic comes under the care of specialists, the greater their chances of returning to health. Professional therapy – both medical and psychological – allows stopping the development of addiction. Supported by appropriate medications and therapeutic support, it can restore mental balance and improve the body's condition. Even in an advanced stage of alcoholism, improving quality of life is possible. However, this requires full involvement of the patient and their loved ones, as well as seeking help from centers specializing in addiction treatment.:::cta Need help fighting addiction? Our specialists are ready to help you. Call or schedule an online consultation. Call: 880 808 880 | Schedule appointment :::
