The Different Stages Of Alcoholism
If you’re concerned that you may be an alcoholic, it can be helpful to understand what the different stages of alcoholism look like. What stage of alcoholism are you in? The following stages of alcoholism are broken into three categories: early, middle, and late stages of alcoholism. It’s important to know where you stand on the spectrum to get help before things get worse or spiral out of control. In the early stages of alcoholism, there are usually no physical signs or symptoms related to alcohol abuse, although psychological issues may become present as time goes on and more alcohol is consumed.
Stage #1: Occasional Abuse and Binge Drinking
The first stage of alcoholism is characterized by occasional abuse and binge drinking. This may not seem like a big deal at first, but it can quickly escalate into something more serious. Stage 1 alcoholics may be able to hold down a job and maintain a social life, but their drinking habits will start to cause problems. They may miss work or appointments due to hangovers, or they may drink in secret to avoid judgment from family and friends.
Stage #2: Increased Drinking
If you find that you’re drinking more alcohol than you used to, it could be a sign that you’re developing a problem. This is especially true if you find yourself drinking more often or in larger amounts. At this stage, you may not yet be addicted to alcohol, but your body is beginning to build up a tolerance. This means that you need to drink more to get the same effects as before. You may also start to experience withdrawal symptoms when you try to cut back on your drinking.
If you’re worried that you might be developing alcoholism, it’s important to talk to a doctor or other medical professional. They can help you assess your risk and make sure that you get the treatment you need.
Stage #3: Problem Drinking
If you’re a problem drinker, you may not think you have a drinking problem. After all, you can still function (somewhat) normally. But make no mistake—problem drinking is a serious issue. In this stage, your drinking starts to cause problems in your life. Maybe you miss work or school because of hangovers, or maybe you drink so much that it interferes with your job performance. You may start to experience legal problems, too, like getting arrested for drunk driving. You may try to cut back on your drinking, but find that you can’t. You may even tell yourself that you’ll only drink on weekends, but then find yourself drinking during the week as well.
If you find yourself in stage 3, try to seek help. If you can’t quit on your own, consider talking to a professional about alcoholism treatment options. Support groups and therapy can be effective for some people with alcoholism. For others, medication and/or monitoring by a healthcare professional may help ease alcohol cravings and keep them from drinking too much. You may also want to consider making changes in your life to reduce stress—stress is known to contribute to problem drinking.
Stage #4: Alcohol Dependence
Alcohol dependence is the fourth stage of alcoholism. At this stage, you have a physical and psychological dependence on alcohol. You may feel like you need to drink to function normally. Drinking becomes an obsession and takes over your life. You may start to experience withdrawal symptoms when you try to cut back or stop drinking altogether. These symptoms can include shaking, sweating, and hallucinations.
In stage four, your body has grown dependent on alcohol to function. While you may feel like you need to drink to function normally, drinking has actually stopped serving its original purpose of providing an enjoyable social experience. Drinking is now more likely done as a way to escape from problems or make it through your daily responsibilities.
It’s often paired with negative emotions like anxiety and depression, which are known as self-medicating behaviors. People at stage four can also develop tolerance, meaning that they need larger amounts of alcohol in order to achieve a state of intoxication. This means more money is spent on drinks and a higher risk of alcohol poisoning.
Stage #5: Addiction and Alcoholism
If you or someone you love is struggling with alcoholism, it’s important to understand the different stages of the disease. The fifth and final stage is addiction and alcoholism. This is when the individual is completely unable to control their drinking. They will continue to drink even if it means losing their job, their family, or their life. If you’re in this stage, please get help from a professional as soon as possible.
Treatment at Stage 5 alcoholism and addiction has a success rate of about 90%, so if you’re in recovery, make sure to practice your tools as often as possible to stay on track. An occasional slip-up is expected and won’t hurt you or derail your progress if you address it quickly.
Treatment for Alcohol Addiction
There are different types of treatment for alcohol addiction, and the best one for you will depend on the severity of your alcoholism. If you have a milder form of alcoholism, you may be able to quit on your own. But if you have a more severe form, you’ll likely need professional help.
This article was first published at https://www.freemanhouserecovery.com/alcohilism/