January 30, 2025

How Long Does It Take to Get Addicted to Alcohol? What You Need to Know

How long does it take to get addicted to alcohol? Here you can learn more about the signs and stages of the alcohol cycle and how to get help.

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Maile Keech

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Last Update on January 30, 2025

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How long does it take to get addicted to alcohol?

The timeline can be different for everyone, but it’s determined by how often you drink, your environment, and even your genes.

Alcohol addiction can creep up on you without you even realizing it.

Knowing how alcohol affects your body and your brain will help you understand the risks and prevent addiction.

Understanding the Nature of Alcohol Addiction

Alcohol’s addictive nature is in how it affects the brain, making you feel relaxed and happy.

Over time, frequent use rewires your brain chemistry, and your drinking becomes dependent and compulsive.1

This is when the risks become serious for your emotional and physical health.2

Factors That Affect How Quickly a Person Can Become an Alcoholic

This is one of the most common questions: “How long does it take to get addicted to alcohol?”

Well, the road to alcohol addiction is different for everyone.

Your age, genes, physical health and how often you drink all impact how fast dependence develops for you.3

These factors determine how alcohol affects your body and how fast the cycle of addiction takes hold.

Alcohol Addiction Timeline

Alcohol addiction progresses in stages, based on drinking habits and personal factors like genetics and health.

Occasional drinking can turn into regular use, dependency, and full-blown addiction as your body and mind get used to alcohol over time.

Here is a timeline of each stage and the habits and changes that go along with them:

Stage and Drinking Habits/ Behavior ChangesHealth Risks
Occasional Use or Early Stage: Social or casual drinking with no significant behavior changes; habits may form.Minimal, but tolerance may subtly increase.
Increased use or Middle Stage: More frequent drinking, often to manage stress; reliance on alcohol to enhance mood.Increased tolerance and early signs of emotional reliance.
Problematic use or Late Middle Use: Regular and escalating consumption; interference with daily responsibilities and relationships.Emerging health issues like fatigue and emotional instability.
Dependence or Late Stage: Frequent use that feels necessary for functioning; withdrawal symptoms when not drinking.Significant physical and emotional health decline.
Alcohol Addiction or End Stage: Constant, compulsive drinking; complete loss of control over alcohol use.Severe health risks, including organ damage.

Symptoms of Addiction

Knowing the physical, psychological, and behavioral signs can help you or your loved one get help before it gets worse.

Physical Symptoms:

  • Hangovers or withdrawal symptoms like nausea or shaking
  • Increased tolerance (needing more to get the same effect)
  • Weight or appearance changes like flushed skin or glassy eyes
  • Sleep problems or fatigue
  • Health issues like high blood pressure or liver damage

 

Psychological Symptoms:

  • Cravings for alcohol at odd hours
  • Mood swings, irritability, or depression and anxiety
  • Difficulty concentrating or memory lapses
  • Drinking to cope with stress or emotions
  • Denial about how much you drink or the consequences

 

Behavioral Symptoms:

  • Drinking in secret or lying about drinking
  • Neglecting work, school, or home responsibilities
  • Social withdrawal or hanging out with heavy drinkers
  • Risky behavior like drunk driving or binge drinking
  • Can’t stop drinking despite trying to quit

 

Knowing the signs of the alcohol cycle can make all the difference. If these sound like you, getting help is the first step to recovery.

Key Terms to Know:

Get to know the terms “alcoholism,” “alcohol addiction,” and “alcohol dependence.” While often used interchangeably, they mean different things. Alcoholism is a severe form of alcohol use disorder, addiction is compulsive drinking, and dependence is physical reliance on alcohol.

How Long Does It Take to Overcome Alcohol Addiction?

The recovery time for alcohol addiction varies for everyone, depending on their level of addiction, support, and health.

Recovery isn’t a one-size-fits-all solution, but understanding the stages can be helpful:

  • Detox: In this phase, your body gets rid of the alcohol, and you’ll often experience withdrawal symptoms. Medical supervision during this stage is recommended for your safety. This can take a few days to a week.
  • Withdrawal: Symptoms may include physical and emotional symptoms like nausea, tremors, anxiety, or insomnia. Severe cases can include hallucinations or seizures. Withdrawal can start within hours, peak at 24-72 hours, and stop in 1-2 weeks.
  • Early Recovery: This is the first 1-3 months. During this period, you’ll focus on stabilization, addressing your cravings, and starting therapy or support groups.
  • Maintaining Recovery: Implementing long-term strategies and coping mechanisms and rebuilding your life without alcohol can take months or even years.
  • Relapse Prevention: This is a life-long commitment to sobriety through therapy, peer support, and self-care to maintain your progress.

Treatment Options for Alcohol Addiction

Treatment for alcohol addiction includes therapy, medication, and support groups.

Cornerstone Healing Center can provide you with tailored substance abuse treatment programs like our Residential Rehab and Partial Hospitalization Program and online options such as our Virtual IOP.

Our programs offer you structured care to help you get sober for the long term.󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

Frequently Asked Questions

The timeline varies for everyone. Your age, genetics, physical health, and how frequently you drink all play a role in how quickly dependence develops. Alcohol’s addictive nature is in its effect on the brain, providing a relaxing and pleasing effect. Over time, frequent use rewires your brain chemistry, and your drinking becomes dependent and compulsive.

Alcohol addiction, also known as alcohol use disorder (AUD), isn’t actually measured by how much you drink but by patterns in your behavior and your dependence on alcohol. However, evaluating the frequency, quantity, not being able to stop, having a high tolerance, cravings, and negative consequences can all help you identify whether your alcohol use has morphed into addiction.

Most people who become alcoholics start drinking in their teens or early 20s. Research shows that those who have started drinking before 15 are 4 times more likely to become dependent on alcohol later in their lives than those who started drinking at 21 or older. 4

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Key Takeaways

There’s Hope for Lasting Recovery

Recovery from alcohol addiction takes time, understanding, and support.

Knowing how to recognize the signs and seeking help early makes all the difference.

With compassionate care and resources like Cornerstone’s programs, recovery and a healthier future are within reach.

Get in touch with us today to start your recovery journey.

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Author & Reviewers

lionel estrada lisac clinical director
CLINICAL DIRECTOR & REVIEWER

Lionel is the Clinical Director of Cornerstone’s Scottsdale treatment facilities. He has had over 4 years at Cornerstone. He is personally in recovery and passionate about helping others overcome substance abuse and mental health challenges; he is trained as an EMDR, adopting a trauma-informed approach to treat the underlying issues.

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