The Three Stages of Alcoholism
Posted: Wednesday, February 27, 2008
by Samantha James
There are three stages of alcoholism. Generally, alcoholism can take years to develop, unless the drinker is one of that rarer breed that develops an addiction to alcohol very soon after taking that first drink. Alcoholism begins when drinking starts affecting the physical and mental health of the drinker - they have crossed that invisible line from social drinking, to heavy drinking, then into alcoholism.
In the early stages of alcoholism the drinker has started to drink for new reasons. They drink to change their mood or maybe to help daily stress or a problem. At this point friends and family don't know he has become an alcoholic. Chances are neither does the drinker.
In the intermediate stage the drinker no longer needs a reason to drink. They may even fabricate reasons to drink. He or she is now drinking way over socially acceptable limits, until they reach a loss of control point or blackout. The drinker may have a DUI. Family and friends are now aware that there is a problem and the drinker gets angry when the alcohol abuse is mentioned. The drinker thinks he or she can stop drinking anytime they want to. This is no longer the case. They will say "I will never drink again!" and sincerely mean it. They are shocked to find that when they stop, the cravings for alcohol are all but unbearable.
The advanced stages of alcoholism include friends and family of the alcoholic being appalled at the self destruction the drinker is engaging in. There is damage to internal organs and the body and mind is slipping away. Anyone who tries to talk the drinker into quitting is wasting his time. These efforts are falling on deaf ears.
At this point it is more than likely going to take a catastrophic event to get the alcoholic to decide he or she really wants to stop drinking. At this advanced stage when the drinker makes a sincere attempt to stop drinking, he or she will find out that the addiction has completely taken hold, and there will be extreme withdrawal symptoms.
It is very difficult to overcome an addiction to alcohol. Many alcoholics are able to get well, and some no matter how hard they try just can't stop drinking. Alcohol is extremely powerful and too formidable for some, making this is a battle they won't be able to win. Regardless, it is all-important to never quit quitting.
If you have a drinking problem and you want the most effective and easiest method to stop now, visit us at:
http://HowIStoppedDrinking.org
In the intermediate stage the drinker no longer needs a reason to drink. They may even fabricate reasons to drink. He or she is now drinking way over socially acceptable limits, until they reach a loss of control point or blackout. The drinker may have a DUI. Family and friends are now aware that there is a problem and the drinker gets angry when the alcohol abuse is mentioned. The drinker thinks he or she can stop drinking anytime they want to. This is no longer the case. They will say "I will never drink again!" and sincerely mean it. They are shocked to find that when they stop, the cravings for alcohol are all but unbearable.
The advanced stages of alcoholism include friends and family of the alcoholic being appalled at the self destruction the drinker is engaging in. There is damage to internal organs and the body and mind is slipping away. Anyone who tries to talk the drinker into quitting is wasting his time. These efforts are falling on deaf ears.
At this point it is more than likely going to take a catastrophic event to get the alcoholic to decide he or she really wants to stop drinking. At this advanced stage when the drinker makes a sincere attempt to stop drinking, he or she will find out that the addiction has completely taken hold, and there will be extreme withdrawal symptoms.
It is very difficult to overcome an addiction to alcohol. Many alcoholics are able to get well, and some no matter how hard they try just can't stop drinking. Alcohol is extremely powerful and too formidable for some, making this is a battle they won't be able to win. Regardless, it is all-important to never quit quitting.
If you have a drinking problem and you want the most effective and easiest method to stop now, visit us at:
http://HowIStoppedDrinking.org
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Top-level comments on this article: (2 total)Good article!
My father is an alcoholic, probably in the process of entering early stage 3. He must have a beer almost everywhere he goes. He takes a cooler for even 20 minute trips, and insists on having open containers while driving. He is almost perpetually drunk, when not sleeping.It has severely harmed his job and drastically limited his income. He is also very irrational and oppressive, as well as negligent. He also blames all of the problems on everybody else in the household. Ironically, after I (21+) have had only one beer, he tells me I need to quit drinking; and he is already into double digits by this time. It's really sad what 8-12+ drinks a day (for just one person) will do to a family.
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