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An honest assessment with a professional can provide a clear understanding of your relationship with alcohol and its impact on your life. From the first drink of alcohol, as use grows from experimenting to more frequent consumption, a person enters stage 2 of alcoholism. There are many reasons why someone decides to take their first drink. It could be as simple as a family dinner where wine is being served as a special occasion moment.
At this crisis point, everyone is aware of the effects of alcoholism—including the alcoholic. The alcoholic is rarely without a https://ecosoberhouse.com/ drink, but thinks no one notices. This stage frequently results in alcohol-related deaths for users who do not enter treatment.
What is Alcoholism (Alcohol Use Disorder)?
They may not drink every day, but they drink frequently, and most social activities and nights out involve drinking. When a person regularly drinks alcohol to excess, their body and mind start to physically and psychologically adjust, leaving them open to the progression of AUD. In this first stage, a person may drink as an activity that helps them relax, sleep, or feel more comfortable stages of alcoholism in social situations. Because drinking is a very common part of American adult activities, the pre-alcoholic stage can be very difficult to spot. This stage includes individuals who drink regularly and may start to experience consequences because of their drinking habits. It is a transitional stage that highlights the instigation of substance misuse rather than just substance use.
Maybe the kids come across some beers in a basement refrigerator and curiosity takes over when parents are busy elsewhere. Sometimes, someone may feel out of place at a teen party if they don’t drink like others or a friend pressures them to join in the fun. Family therapy can also be beneficial in addressing the impact of the individual’s drinking on their loved ones. Alcoholism is a disease that can take over a person’s life and leave them feeling hopeless.
What Are the Three Stages of Alcoholism?
They pick fights with family and friends and choose to drink despite negative consequences. The severity of early-stage alcoholism varies widely among individuals but generally increases over time. It doesn’t start causing harm until it results in frequent intoxication or withdrawal symptoms. In the early phases of alcohol abuse, a person may experiment with different types of drinking and use alcohol in various forms. This could include binge drinking, social drinking, and trying new kinds of alcohol.
It is essential to know that seeking help at this stage can help reverse some of the alcohol-related medical problems and can even prevent them from becoming worse. If you reach this stage of alcoholism, you’ll need a comprehensive addiction treatment program to start recovering. Substance abuse and alcohol use disorder are both complicated and complex diseases, and seeking help for either should not be seen as a weakness. Currently, stage models of the development of substance use disorders are not consistent with the formal diagnostic criteria used to identify these disorders. The all-consuming disease alters the brain and changes a person’s ability to make healthy lifestyle choices.
Helpful Resources for Families and Loved Ones
Late-stage alcoholism requires a more intensive and comprehensive treatment approach than middle-stage alcoholism. Treatment may include medical detoxification and inpatient rehabilitation, where the individual can receive 24/7 support and care. In terms of diagnostic criteria, individuals may display 7 or more symptoms of alcohol use disorder. Some people may experience all 11 symptoms of the condition during this stage, making it imperative for them to get professional treatment for alcoholism.
- This is especially true for teens who attend parties where drinking is the primary activity.
- Alcohol use disorder is a chronic and progressive condition that causes a significant impact on a person’s ability to function in their daily lives.
- At the end of the day, the person with addiction has to be willing to accept help.
However, not only can an emotional dependence occur, but alcohol is also physically addictive, making quitting a whole lot more difficult. What’s more, your loved ones may not even realize that your drinking is increasing, and you’ll likely be in denial of the issue, as well. Medication, therapy, and comprehensive rehabilitation can all be employed via inpatient or outpatient addiction treatment.