The Four Stages of Alcoholism

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Alcoholism Stages: The Emotional, Social, and Physical Consequences

Alcoholism is a progressive degenerative disease that includes the following four symptoms: craving, physical dependence, tolerance, and the loss of control.

Alcoholism is a complex topic that can be better understood when it is studied and assessed via the four alcoholism stages.

Alcoholism: The First Stage

In the first stage of alcoholism, drinking is no longer social but becomes a means of emotional escape from inhibitions, problems, inhibitions.  Stated differently, during the first stage of alcoholism, drinking is, in many instances, a psychological attempt to escape from reality. For instance, early in the disease an individual starts to depend on the mood-altering effects of alcohol.

Another observable characteristic of the first stage of alcoholism is that a slow and gradual increase in tolerance develops, meaning that more and more amounts of alcohol are needed for the individual to "get high" or to "feel the buzz."   For example, it is common for individuals in the first stage of alcoholism to start gulping one or two drinks before attending a social function and then to increase social drinking to 3 to 5 drinks per day.

Alcoholism: The Second Stage

In the second stage of alcoholism, the need to drink becomes more powerful. For example, it is common during this stage for the problem drinker to start to drink earlier in the day. 

As tolerance increases, furthermore, the individual drinks not because of psychological tension or stress relief, but because of his or her dependence on alcohol.  During this stage of the disease, even though the "loss of control" does not occur on a regular basis, it is, nevertheless, starting to become more noticeable by others such as relatives, family members, neighbors, friends, and co-workers.

Also during this stage of the disease, the individual may begin to feel more concerned and embarrassed about his or her drinking.  Often during this stage, problem drinkers are unsuccessful in their attempts to stop drinking. 

In this stage, physical symptoms such as hangovers, blackouts, hand tremors, and stomach problems increase.  Interestingly, instead of seeing their drinking as the root of the many problems and issues they experience, however, drinkers in this stage frequently start to blame others and things external to themselves for their difficulties.

Alcoholism: The Third Stage

In the third stage of alcoholism, the loss of control becomes more severe and more observable. This means that the individual is unable to drink in accordance with his or her intentions.  For example, once the individual takes the first drink, he or she commonly can no longer control further drinking behavior, in spite of the fact that the intent might have been to have just "one or two drinks."  It should be stressed that an important aspect of this stage of the illness is the following: the drinker often starts to experience more serious drinking problems as well as alcohol-related employment, relationship, financial, and legal problems.  

In the third stage of alcoholism, it is common for the drinker to start avoiding friends and family and to show a lack of interest in activities and events that once were fun or important.  Also typical during this stage are "eye-openers," that is, drinks that are taken whenever the problem drinker awakens.  Eye-openers are taken mainly to "calm the nerves," lessen a hangover, or to quiet the feelings of remorse the individual occasionally experiences after a period of time without consuming a drink. 

As the drinking increases the individual starts to neglect most things of importance, even necessities such as food, water, personal hygiene, shelter, and personal interaction.  And finally, during this stage, the drinker often makes half-hearted attempts at getting professional medical assistance. 

Alcoholism: The Fourth Stage

The fourth and last stage of alcoholism is characterized by a chronic loss of control.  In the earlier stages of the illness, the problem drinker may have been successful in maintaining a job.  Due to the fact that drinking druing this stage frequently starts earlier in the day and commonly continues throughout the day, however, few, if any, full-time jobs can be maintained under these conditions.  

In the earlier stages of the illness, the problem drinker had a choice whether he or she would take the first drink.  After taking the first drink, the drinker typically lost all control and would then continue drinking.  In the last stage of alcoholism, however, alcoholics no longer have a choice:  they need to drink in order to function on a daily basis.

During the fourth stage of alcoholism, benders are typical.  More to the point, in the fourth stage of alcoholism the alcoholic frequently gets helplessly drunk and may remain in this predicament for a number of days or weeks.  The unattainable goal for the drinker while engaging in his or her bender is to experience the "high" they he or she once experienced. 

In the second or third stages of alcoholism the drinker's hands may have trembled slightly on mornings after getting drunk the previous night.  In the fourth and last stage of alcoholism, conversely, alcoholics get "the shakes" whenever they attempt or are forced to refrain from drinking. 

These tremors are an indication of a serious nervous disorder that now affects the drinker's entire body.  When "the shakes" are combined with hallucinations, furthermore, the result is known as "the DTs" or delirium tremens. The DTs are a potentially deadly kind of alcoholism withdrawal that almost always takes place unless the alcoholic receives immediate alcoholism treatment.  It may come as no surprise that after an attack of the DTs, more than a few alcoholics promise to never drink again.  Sadly, most of them do not and cannot fulfill their promise.  Consequently, they more often than not return to drinking and the alcoholic drinking patterns and behaviors start all over again.

The Four Stages of Alcoholism:  Conclusion

From the information discussed above, it can be concluded that the four stages of alcoholism paint a bleak picture for individuals who are alcohol addicted.  Perhaps learning about the destructive and damaging outcomes and the unhealthy nature of alcoholism may not make a much of an impact on most individuals who are already chronically alcohol dependent. 

It is hoped, however, that by exposing the facts about alcohol dependency and about the stages of alcoholism to our youth BEFORE they start consuming alcohol in an abuse and irresponsible manner will prevent many of our teenagers from experiencing the drinking problems and the unhealthy and devastating realities suffered by most alcoholics.

Feedback From Visitors and Friends 

Thank you for visiting my "Alcoholism Stages" lens. Feel free to post a quick hello and share some of your thoughts and stories about alcoholism and alcohol abuse.

Thanks,

denman4

karen550 wrote...

This is a wonderful lens. I wished it was around about 11 years ago. Hopefully it can change someone's life. Thank you so much for sharing.

ReplyPosted June 10, 2009

xboxemotz wrote...

GREAT INFO!!!!!!!!!! Hope this helps alot of people understand more and helps alot of people deal with it. Great job!

ReplyPosted May 17, 2009

mikeitloffe wrote...

Very important information. Thanks for sharing. 5 stars fav from me.

ReplyPosted May 16, 2009

stevie10772 wrote...

I truly appreciate this lens - more than you know. Although there is no doubt as to the alcoholism in my family's lives, I have often wondered about the hand tremors that I have watched. I have suspected it was withdrawal, but wondered if it was Parkinsons'. Your article has validated that which I already knew. The suspect is 76, and has been drinking to drunkenness every night for several decades. I get scared just thinking about what stage is going on now.

Thank you for this highly informative lens. It truly helps.

ReplyPosted February 25, 2009

Chy_03 wrote...

Really great information here! Been an active individual myself at extending the hand in the recovery world, I hope if you get a chance you can stop by the Sober Sources Network or visit my lens!

Keep up the good work, this info needs to be out there!
Chy

ReplyPosted February 18, 2009

 
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Alcoholism and other Alcohol-Related Quick Facts 

Did you know...

"Research shows that alcoholism tends to run in families. If there has ever been a serious drinking problem in your family, you are at high risk of having a regular drinking pattern turn into an uncontrollable addiction before you realize it. If you do have a family history of excessive drinking, it's advisable to minimize your social drinking."

"Alcohol use interacts with conditions such as depression and stress to contribute to suicide, the third leading cause of death among people between the ages of 14 and 25. In one U.S. study, 37 percent of eighth grade females who drank heavily reported attempting suicide, compared with 11 percent who did not drink."

"According to substance abuse research scientists, even at low doses, alcohol significantly impairs the judgment and coordination required to operate machinery or drive a vehicle safely. Research findings like these reinforce the following message: if you drink, don't drive."

"Recent research demonstrates that the drugs most likely to produce effective results when treating alcohol withdrawal symptoms are the benzodiazepines: the shorter-acting benzodiazepines such as Serax and Ativan or the longer-acting benzodiazepines like Valium and Librium."

"According to state and federal incarceration statistics, alcohol is a factor in nearly half of the accidental deaths, suicides, and murders in the United States. Question. How many of these deaths could have been prevented with quality alcohol counseling or with alcoholism treatment?"

"According to a growing group of substance abuse experts, behavioral and biological explanations of drug abuse need to be given equal weight and integrated with each other if a deeper understanding of the root causes of drug addiction are to be found and more effective treatments are to be developed."

"Recently in some states, another type of "driving under the influence" has been identified, namely, driving under the combined influence of alcohol and other drugs. Interestingly, the drugs contributing to the impaired condition do not need to be illegal. That is, these "other drugs" can be legal prescriptions or even over-the-counter remedies and treatments."

"U.S. alcohol abuse research scientists have discovered that people who stop using other drugs (such as marijuana, Oxycontin, or heroin) at the same time they quit drinking alcohol, might experience excessive withdrawal problems. These individuals, consequently, should see a doctor before they quit their addictive habits."

"When a person consumes a heavy amount of alcohol over a short period of time, or use is continuous over a number of days or weeks, this is called intensive use, bingeing, or binge drinking."

"Once a person quits drinking and after the alcohol withdrawal symptoms go away, it is important for the individual to join a treatment or sobriety program such as Alcoholics Anonymous to help him or her maintain sobriety."

"Families with drug and alcohol problems commonly have high levels of tension and stress. High-stress family environments are a risk factor for early and dangerous alcohol abuse and substance use, as well as for physical and mental health problems."

"According to U.S. alcoholism research, when women experience symptoms of depression, they are at increased risk for subsequent alcohol dependence."

"One of the more serious consequences of the increase in drinking among elementary school children is the that it has a substantial effect on cognitive development at this young age. In a word, students who use alcohol remember significantly less of their academic work than those who do not use alcohol."

"If you suspect that a person has alcohol poisoning or is overdosing on alcohol, get immediate medical assistance (by calling 911), even if the person is underage."

"According to a 2007 Science Daily report, boys are more likely to belong to the higher-risk group of thrill seekers, while girls are more likely to belong to the lowest level of risky drinking, the experimenters."

"It is important to note that alcohol overdose doesn't only occur from any one heavy drinking incident, but may also occur from a constant infusion of alcohol in the blood stream."

"To help prevent alcohol abuse in children, it's a good idea to begin discussing alcohol use and abuse with kids at an early age and to continue openly communicating about it as they grow older."

"A definition of alcoholism: Alcoholism is a degenerative disease that includes the following symptoms: craving, tolerance, physical dependence, and loss of control."

"If you are convicted of drunk driving, your auto insurance premiums can double, and in some states, even triple. You may want to shop around because some companies specialize in high-risk policies."

"Those who are alcohol dependent feel a need to drink consistently in order to feel normal, or to avoid uncomfortable withdrawal symptoms. Alcohol dependence can be physical, psychological, or both."

"In the United States, depression is a common cause of alcoholism as the depressed person seeks a way out of their problems or a relief from insomnia. Unfortunately, alcohol is itself a depressant, so the problem is only compounded."

"An alcohol or drug user in withdrawal becomes highly motivated to get and take more alcohol or drugs, because this relieves their feelings of sickness. As one might suspect, an alcoholic who experiences such an host of negative symptoms even once, will be highly motivated to remain drunk so as to avoid ever having to experience them again."

"It is important to note that alcohol overdose doesn't only occur from any one heavy drinking incident, but may also occur from a constant infusion of alcohol in the blood stream."

"When a person chooses to use alcohol for enjoyment, particularly to enhance a mood or social occasion, this is defined as recreational alcohol use."

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by denman4

Hi everyone.  My online name is denman and I work full-time developing informational and educational websites. 


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