The Three Stages of Alcoholism

Feb. 9, 2015 - PRLog -- Warning signs of alcoholism can be difficult to recognize in the early stages of alcohol addiction. What begins like a harmless flirtation may or may not turn into a full-blown drinking problem. And although it’s impossible to tell, looking back some may feel like they could have stopped in time, with or without alcohol and drug rehabilitation.

As alcoholics know all too well—not to mention family and friends—it’s a progressive disease for which complete abstinence is the only solution, and the most difficult. Once the problem drinker crosses the “invisible line,” there’s no going back to the casual days of drinking in moderation. Knowing this, entering alcohol detox followed by a program at an alcohol treatment center would be ideal, the sooner the better.

In Alcoholics Anonymous, the “big book” is the definitive publication on what AA is, the 12 steps and how they stay sober together. It describes three stages of alcoholism:

The moderate drinker: This is the person who can take it or easily leave it—especially if they have good enough reason, such as being late to work or another important engagement once or twice, thanks to late night out of indulgence. They start drinking on weekdays, ignoring the promise they made not to; they may have gotten a little sloppy at work, started drinking earlier in the day or even gotten behind the wheel after one too many drinks at the bar. This kind of behavior could lead to something worse, but more often it serves as a wake up call to quit the drinking and the bad behavior.

The heavy drinker: At this point, the drinker may start to show signs of addiction to alcohol, without necessarily crossing that line. Their behavior is erratic, belligerent or even angry. Everyday drinking—alone or with others—becomes the norm. Social situations seem to revolve only around drinking, and if not, they’re happy to bring their own booze, no matter how inappropriate. Worried family and friends without the proper tools are hesitant to approach the person about entering treatment in alcohol rehab, for fear of a backlash or driving the person away. And the longer this all goes on, the more likely the person will cross that line, unable to go back and reverse the damage.

Even though they’ve created sufficient cause for concern for their life and well-being, not to mention the lives of the people close to them, the heavy drinker can still give it up for a good reason without spending time in alcohol rehab—threats to their health, a newborn baby, the prospect of losing their job, etc.

The real alcoholic: Binge drinking and blackouts. Broken hearts, resentment, confusion, threats of divorce, denial, no-shows at family events. Alcohol rehab. More hostility and eventually a DUI could be in the near future. Another rehab center. Another DUI.

Family and friends ask, “when will you learn? Can’t you see drinking is ruining your life?!” And the next thing you know, the alcoholic stops all communication, only to show up now and then to ask for money or with empty claims that they’re ready this time for alcohol detox and a rehabilitation center.

There’s hardly ever a time when the alcoholic is without booze in their system, to the point where they have to maintain a certain level just to feel “normal.” It’s a vicious, self-created circle of desperation and hopelessness, with a fair bit of ego, just enough for the one in trouble with alcohol to say, “I can take it or leave it.” with as much earnestness as they had when it all started. Depending on how far their addiction has led them, the odds are overwhelmingly not in their favor without alcohol treatment and rehabilitation.

In AA, they say there are three outcomes for the full-blown alcoholic on their way to hitting bottom: jails, institutions or death. And while these possibilities may seem outlandish, there is plenty of help for the alcoholic, and tons of hope.

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