The Different Stages of Alcoholism

Understanding the Stages of Alcoholism: Why Early Recognition Is Crucial

Alcoholism is a progressive condition that can lead to significant physical, emotional, and relational difficulties. Many people don't realize they're dealing with alcoholism until it's in the later stages, making it much harder to address. Recognizing the early signs can save you from a lot of heartbreak and hardship.

In this post, we'll break down the stages of alcoholism so you can identify where you or a loved one might be on this continuum. Early intervention is key to overcoming alcoholism before it leads to more severe consequences.

Early Stage Alcoholism: The Warning Signs

In the early stages of alcoholism, you might not drink every day, but binge drinking becomes more frequent. This means that when you do drink, you often overdo it. You might not experience blackouts every time, but when you do, it's disorienting and embarrassing. Waking up with no memory of the previous night, checking your phone to see who you called or messaged, and feeling humiliated by your actions are all signs of early-stage alcoholism.

At this stage, you might start to gain a reputation as a big drinker. Some might see this as being the life of the party, but others around you may start to distance themselves because your drinking habits make them uncomfortable. You may not notice these subtle cues, but they are there.

Another common sign of early-stage alcoholism is lying about your drinking. You might not deny that you drink, but you minimize how much or how often you do. Deep down, you recognize that your drinking is excessive, even if you're not ready to admit it.

Most people in this stage don't consider themselves to have an alcohol problem because they're not drinking every day. However, the behaviors and consequences that come with binge drinking are significant red flags.

Middle Stage Alcoholism: Functional but Struggling

In the middle stages of alcoholism, you might still be functional in your daily life. You may hold down a job, attend school, or take care of your family. On the surface, everything might seem fine, but those closest to you are starting to notice that something is wrong. They might even bring it up, leading to defensiveness and avoidance on your part.

At this point, you may find yourself drinking most days. You start planning your life around alcohol, thinking obsessively about your next drink. Even if you try to maintain some control, like not drinking until a certain time of day, alcohol is becoming a central part of your life.

You might notice changes in your mood and physical appearance. Increased irritability, anxiety, and unhappiness are common as alcohol affects your brain chemistry. Physically, you might experience bloating, weight gain or loss, and facial redness—visible signs of a growing alcohol problem.

While you might still be getting by, your performance at work or home is slipping. You may start missing obligations or not performing at your best. The cracks are starting to show, and the excuses you make for these slip-ups are often tied to anything but your drinking.

One telling sign of middle-stage alcoholism is taking breaks from drinking to prove to yourself or others that you're not an alcoholic. While these sober periods might make you feel in control, they're actually a clinical sign of alcoholism. Recognizing the problem at this stage can prevent the more severe consequences that come with late-stage alcoholism.

Late Stage Alcoholism: When Alcohol Takes Over

By the late stage, alcohol has taken priority over most other aspects of your life. You might have quit your job or retired, but you're not pursuing any new activities. Relationships are deteriorating as friends and family distance themselves or cut ties altogether.

At this point, if you stop drinking, you experience physical withdrawal symptoms. Many people in this stage stop trying to minimize their drinking and may even resign themselves to the idea that they're going to drink themselves to death.

It's hard to reach people in late-stage alcoholism because they've often given up hope of recovery. However, it's never too late to seek help. Recognizing that the alcohol is the problem, not the people or situations around you, is crucial to making a change.

Take Action Now: Don't Wait for Rock Bottom

Alcoholism doesn't happen overnight; it progresses through stages and phases. It's never too late to make a change, but the sooner you recognize the problem, the easier it will be to address it. You don't have to wait until you've lost everything to stop drinking.

If you're struggling at any stage of alcoholism, now is the time to take action. Watch this video next for practical advice on how to make those changes and start your journey to recovery.

Amber Hollingsworth

The Real Reason You're Struggling to Get Sober

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