Call 888-647-0579 to speak with an alcohol or drug abuse counselor.

Who Answers?

Understanding the Stages of Alcoholism

There are many beliefs as to how alcoholism sets in, with a growing number of people accepting that this is a disease.

There are multiple stages of alcoholism, all of which can be pinpointed if a person is facing an addiction.

While it is not always easy to determine if somebody is addicted to alcohol, there are four stages to be aware of:

Early stage. This is marked by an increased tolerance and physical changes, which are mostly hidden. During this stage, the brain becomes more tolerant to alcohol, meaning that the person must consume more to achieve the desired result.
Middle stage. It can be difficult to determine the line between the early and middle stage, but there are some characteristics to be aware of.The pleasure associated with drinking during the early stage is now being replaced by consumption meant to deal with issues caused by prior drinking or other life issues, such as job related stress.
Late stage. Also referred to as the deteriorative stage, this is when the negative effects on the mind and body are evident, as physical symptoms make their way to the forefront.Somebody who reaches this stage is faced with a variety of physical and psychological problems, due largely to the fact that vital organs have been damaged.

When a person begins hiding their drinking it is clear a problem has developed.

Treatment. While quitting alcohol can be accomplished at any stage, many never consider this until they enter the late stage of alcoholism. This is when they, as well as those around them, may realize that professional help is necessary.

While some people attempt to quit alcohol cold turkey, those who have reached the late stage of alcoholism will have a better chance of success by checking into a rehab facility. With professional help, it is easier to overcome an addiction and avoid future trouble (such as a relapse).

When somebody finds him or herself in the third stage of alcoholism, it is important that the next step be the acceptance of rehab. Without rehabilitation, there is a good chance that the problem will continue for many years to come, causing harm along the way.

If you understand the stages of alcoholism, it is easier to decide if you or a loved one is dealing with this disease. Furthermore, it makes it easier to decide on an acceptable treatment schedule that can yield results.

More Treatment & Detox Articles

10 easy steps to safe drinking

With the holiday festivities in full gear, many people will most likely become victims or causalities of careless drinking. No one can claim that drinking too much alcohol is good for your health – especially as you get older. For some people, careless drinking has put them in a situation where they have been advised….

Binge drinking a continuing problem among underage Oregonians

A year ago, a booze-fueled spring break trip was all the news when two Portland State University basketball players got into a drunken brawl in Mexico. That donnybrook drew lots of attention because athletes were involved. But it was otherwise unremarkable: Studies show that, while students don’t necessarily drink more on spring break, those who….

Risky Drinkers Less Likely to Take Good Care of Themselves & Seek Medical Care

Kaiser Permanente Study Finds Heavier Drinkers Have Worse Health Care Habits Women and men who engage in frequent heavy drinking report significantly worse health-related practices, according to a Kaiser Permanente Center for Health Research study in the journal Addiction Research & Theory. For the study, researchers surveyed 7,884 members of the Kaiser Permanente Northwest integrated….

Book Explores World of High-Functioning Alcoholics

A new book provides insights into the lives of so-called “high-functioning alcoholics” and the special challenges faced by those who need treatment but lack the impetus of hitting rock-bottom, the New York Times reported May 4.Sarah Allen Benton, author of “Understanding the High-Functioning Alcoholic,” offers herself as an example: she holds a Master’s degree from….

Church fights for alcoholics centre

Highland Council plans to slash inverness Beechwood House funding by £200,000 next year Church leaders yesterday joined the fight to keep open the only 24-hour centre for alcoholics in Inverness. Inverness Presbytery is calling on the agencies involved in Beechwood House to work together to allow it to continue. It came as a Highlands and….