What are the stages of alcohol use disorder?
Alcohol use that turns into a use disorder develops in stages.

At-risk stage

This is when you drink socially or drink to relieve stress or to feel better. You may start to develop a tolerance for alcohol.

Early alcohol use disorder

In this stage, you have progressed to blackouts, drinking alone or in secret, and thinking about alcohol a lot.

Mid-stage alcohol use disorder

Your alcohol use is now out of control and causes problems with daily life (work, family, financial, physical and mental health). Organ damage can be seen on lab tests and scans.
End-stage alcohol use disorder: Drinking is now the main focus of your life, to the exclusion of food, intimacy, health and happiness. Despair, complications of organ damage and death are now close.