What Stage of Alcoholic Am I?

“What Are the Stages of Alcoholism?”

There are three stages of alcoholism, each with signs and symptoms that can worsen as they evolve. It is also essential to remember that each person reacts differently to alcohol, meaning that some people can go straight from early-stage to late-stage alcoholism, skipping over the middle stage entirely.

Levels of Alcoholism: The Early Stages

It’s not easy to detect if you are in the early stages of alcoholism, as most signs and symptoms are physical and easily dismissed. However, even some physical signs can indicate a potentially growing problem.

One of the first signs of early alcoholism is when you turn to alcohol to find relief from your problems. In the same regard, coworkers often “grab a beer after work,” that end of the day relief comes from alcohol, instead of going home to put your feet up.

Further down the list are people who experience “blackouts.” When someone “blacks out,” they cannot remember things that happened or blocks of time are mentally missing. Blacking out is typically preceded by hiding or sneaking drinks, drinking more to feel the effects, and craving alcohol.

Levels of Alcoholism: The Middle Stages

Worsening levels of alcoholism are easier to spot but are also the most challenging time to reach someone who may be struggling. In this denial phase, most alcoholics dismiss middle-stage symptoms as “the price to pay to get through the day.”

By not admitting they have a drinking problem, alcoholics tend to view warnings as challenges or insulting their character. Defensive, irritated, or aggressive reactions to concerned loved ones are common in this stage.

Moreover, excessive drinking that increases in both volume and frequency are clear indicators of your progression of alcoholism. Mood swings and personality changes are also likely to occur in this stage, as alcohol addiction is beginning to rewire your brain chemistry.

Alcohol cravings will worsen, and you will find yourself willing to exert extra effort to drink more alcohol than before. The middle stages of alcoholism often produce withdrawal symptoms such as tremors and an inability to focus after not drinking for a while.

If you can successfully reach out to an alcoholic about their drinking problem, this stage is the opportune time to encourage alcohol addiction treatment.

Levels of Alcoholism: The Late Stages

In the most advanced alcoholism stages, withdrawal symptoms are impossible to ignore. Delirium tremens (DTs) are also referred to as “morning shakes.” The need to drink as soon as you wake up demonstrates an explicit bodily dependency on alcohol.

In this stage, an alcoholic has lost control of the situation. Relationships, employment, assets, and mental health have all been forsaken or destroyed due to alcoholism. The urge to drink has become an obsession, and addicts are likely to become desperate to scramble enough money together for a drink.

Though many addicts claim to be “functioning alcoholics,” what you don’t see of their life is dedicated to alcohol. By willpower alone, some people can keep their jobs or relationships. However, in most cases, they are hanging on by a frayed thread.

It is vital to remember that no one is beyond help. Even in the late alcoholism stages, treatment options, resources, and a rehab team are available to help you recover.