Although end-stage alcoholism kills many (by liver failure, drunk driving, etc.), many more die of alcohol-related secondary causes that may not be reflected in the statistics.
Most alcoholics will ignore the potential future consequences of continued drinking.
“Hitting bottom” is generally an emotional state brought about by the current accumulation of consequences, but it is instructive to list the potential hazards of continued use of alcohol.
Late-stage alcoholism includes:
- Hand tremors—especially after not drinking for several hours
- Nervousness, irritability, excitability
- Discomfort when eating—nausea and vomiting after eating
- Recurrent Diarrhea
- Abdominal pain—high likelihood of liver damage and/or pancreatitis
- Hypoglycemia or hyperglycemia
- Heart palpitations, anemia
- Blackouts, seizures, short-term memory loss
- Delirium tremens, hallucinations, insomnia and nightmares
Finally, there is “wet-brain syndrome,” which refers to either Wernicke Syndrome or Korsakoff Psychosis.