Stages of Alcohol Addiction

Many medical and addiction experts agree that alcoholism (alcohol addiction) is a disease; but it is still a matter of debate amongst others. The good folks at Alcoholics Anonymous (A.A.) say that alcoholism is "powerful, cunning and baffling" and that is a sentiment almost everyone can agree on. Those labels often apply because alcoholism does not follow a clearly-defined course for most people. Some people are addicted the first time they drink alcohol; others drink socially for years before losing control.

Alcoholism in the beginning stages often finds the drinker using alcohol regularly to self-medicate or to escape from negative feelings – anxiety, depression, etc.  They may find themselves thinking about drinking incessantly and are not interested in gatherings or restaurants where alcohol is not served.  In these early stages family members may not realize their loved one is alcoholic; almost surely the alcoholic is in denial about it. Increased tolerance is the next step to addiction; the drinker needs more and more liquor to achieve the effects a couple of drinks once produced. Some can drink a great deal and appear sober; they walk, talk and speak normally. As tolerance increases, however, there is usually a rapid decline in their ability to function normally.

As alcoholics move into middle- stage addiction very often the desire and need (cravings) are intense and difficult to ignore.  The alcoholic continues to consume even larger amounts and may begin drinking earlier in the day. Their old rules go out the window – while once they "drank after 5pm" they may now start at noon or earlier. There is little the alcoholic can do at this stage to control their drinking. Most, however, will try to control their drinking over and over again; if they are truly alcoholic they are doomed to fail.  Tolerance now decreases and they reach intoxication much more quickly.  If they do decrease the amount of alcohol consumed they may be subject to withdrawal symptoms.  Drinking more, getting drunk faster and starting earlier in the day greatly affects relationships and may cost the alcoholic their job.  Family members begin to recognize the problem and may speak to the addict, but often they are so deep in denial, not much is accomplished. It is not unusual for extreme hangovers, stomach problems and blackouts to be regular occurrences now.

Alcoholics in end-stage addiction are suffering dire consequences due to their obsession with drinking; alcohol comes before family, friends, work, church, character and everything else that once mattered.  At this stage, one can say the alcoholic is spiritually, morally and physically bankrupt. Due to loss of work and money spent on drinking, many are financially bankrupt as well.  Many will suffer from malnutrition because they eat almost nothing; what they do manage to eat they usually vomit out of their systems.  Alcohol affects each organ differently and is known to have major (often life-threatening) consequences on the liver. Many alcoholics die from cirrhosis of the live and liver failure.

Unless the alcoholic stops drinking, the only options left may be hospitalization, incarceration or death.  Drunk driving kills far too many people and the drunk driver may be incarcerated for long periods of time. Mental and physical deterioration (hallucinations, dementia and tremors as well many other things) can result in hospitalization.  Death can come in a number of ways: one can be killed while driving drunk; poor judgment can lead to alcoholics engaging in violence and they can die because their bodies just finally shut down.

Because alcohol is legal in the U.S.A., alcoholics are the largest group of "addicts" by far.  Legality and the fact that drinking is seen as acceptable both can lead to the increase of alcoholism.

How can recovery take place? 

Many millions of people around the globe achieve sobriety – it is not unusual to meet alcoholics who have not had a drop of liquor in 30 years or more. What's more these people are happy and productive; active alcoholics may not believe it is possible to be happy without drinking but millions have proven them wrong. Recovery is an ongoing process and usually is best achieved by group participation.  Many alcoholics recover by following the twelve steps of Alcoholics Anonymous.  Many others take part in treatment (in-patient or out-patient) programs which are offered virtually everywhere across this country and around the world.

What do you need to recover?

A desire to stop drinking – that's it. You don't have to understand alcoholism or even admit you are addicted – you may not be convinced you are. If your life is a mess (unmanageable) and you think drinking is the reason why, you may want to seriously consider stopping the insanity (the drinking). You CAN do it, millions of others have; take that first step --- ask for help and you will be on the road to recovery.