Stages of Alcoholism

About Early, Middle and End Alcoholism Stages

The stages of alcoholism are normally broken up into three main stages of alcoholism. The first being the early stage, which is also known as the adaptive stage or alcoholism, then the middle stage and, lastly, is the end stage of alcoholism.
The first stage of alcoholism basically consists of the use of alcohol in the form of relaxation and treatment for any emotional or physically demanding or stressful situations.
In many cases, the individual in the early stages of alcoholism are basically thinking of getting that first drink in them in order to help do away with any stress they may have.
Many people indeed experience this and many individuals may never leave this rather moderate stage.
However, for those who begin to feel the need to either get drunk to feel relaxed or have to drink larger and larger amounts in order to keep up with their body’s natural adaptation to more and more alcohol consumption, they may find themselves consuming more and more as each day progresses and as their body begins to require a certain blood alcohol level without the individual really even being aware that they may very well have a problem with alcohol not to mention even showing physical symptoms of alcoholism or being in any of the stages of alcoholism.
As individuals enter into the other stages of alcoholism, they begin to have a much more intense urge to consume alcohol and in larger amounts. This is usually where the middle stage of alcoholism begins.
It is no longer a couple of beers after work anymore, it becomes larger amounts, maybe even a six-pack or more, or harder liquors in order to keep the ‘buzz’ going.
Around this stage, individuals may realize that they may have a problem with alcohol as they now realize how much they have been drinking in a matter of days and may be showing a few physical symptoms such as lower immune system of even nausea, or aches that may last for days as the individual’s is losing their conscious ability to stop drinking before getting drunk or even ill.
As the years progress and alcoholism is left untreated, so do the stages of alcoholism. As the individual who is experiencing alcoholism continues to think about and consume alcohol throughout the day, their work is being affected as well as their physical health, even drinking alcohol while pregnant in some cases.
In addition to heavy drinking, many will even be inclined smoke more often which can only add to the negative effects of heavy alcohol consumption.
The third of the stages of alcoholism gradually moves into the end stage where, if left untreated, becomes a very harmful addiction.
By this time, many of your friends and lived ones around you realize that you may have a drinking problem and it is no longer able to be hidden.
The individual in the end stages of alcoholism will normally begin to experience harmful, even irreversible, problems with their body’s normal functioning.
Some of the problems that one may experience in the end stages of alcoholism include cirrhosis of the liver, nerve damage, mental issues such as depression and anxiety, low immune system which will add more illnesses, brain damage, and eventually heart failure or strokes which are a majority of the deaths caused by alcoholism.
For more information on the stages of alcoholism or alcoholism, addiction treatment & recovery options available, we have provided many resources listed throughout AlcoholAddictionRecovery.org in addition we recommend speaking to your medical professional or even a counselor if you do not feel comfortable speaking with a doctor.
The important thing is that you seek treatment before alcoholism & addiction becomes much worse for the individual and all of their family and loved ones around them.

Pregnancy and Substance Abuse