Alcoholism Stages

Alcoholism is a disease that causes an individual to crave for alcohol, to be physically dependent on it, tolerance and loss of control. Like most diseases, there are also alcoholism stages. These stages usually take years to develop.

Moderate drinking of alcohol is okay but with the amount of frequency of drinking increasing, this can lead to the early stage. In this early alcoholism stage, drinking becomes a mean of emotional escape from inhibitions and problems. Drinkers use alcohol as a psychological attempt to escape from reality. This is characterized by a slow and gradual increase in tolerance of it.

At the second alcoholism stage, an individual strongly feels the need to drink. An individual will probably start drinking earlier in the day. Tolerance to alcohol also increases and the individual drinks because of his/her dependence and not because of stress relief.

Relatives, family members, neighbors, friends and co-workers starts noticing the drinking habit though loss of control to alcohol does not yet occur on a regular basis. At this stage, an individual will start feeling embarrassed and concerned about his/her drinking. However, they will be unsuccessful in attempting to quit. At this stage, an individual will start feeling an increase in hang over, black outs, hand tremors and stomach problems.

At the third alcoholism stage, the drinker will experience more severe and observable loss of control. They will be unable to drink in accordance with his/her drinking. At this stage, the drinker will start experiencing serious issues related to related employment, relationship, financial and legal problems. An individual will start avoiding friends and family and will show a lack of interest in activities and events that were once fun and important for him/her.

An individual will also start drinking every time he/she is awake. In addition, the consumption of alcohol is used to calm the nerves, lessen a hangover, or to quiet the feelings of remorse that the individual feels. He/she will also start to neglect important things, even necessities such as food, water, personal hygiene, shelter and personal interaction. Moreover, the drinker will often make half-hearted attempts to seek professional help.

The last of the alcoholism stages is characterized by chronic loss of control; the drinker will start having problems maintaining a job. At this stage, the drinker feels the need to drink to be able to function on a daily basis. Individuals frequently get drunk and will feel tremors every time they are forced to refrain from drinking. These tremors can sometimes even couple with hallucinations and will result to delirium tremors. At this stage, it is important that the drinker receive alcoholism treatment for this is potentially deadly. If you see these symptoms in people that are close to you, it is better to start looking for medical help.

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