Alcoholism develops in three stages. This disease can take many years to develop into a full blown addiction. Alcoholism begins when the drinker’s physical and mental health become affected and ruled by alcohol. At this point they have gone from drinking to alcoholism.

In the early stages of alcoholism the drinker has started to drink for new reasons. They drink to change their mood or maybe to help daily stress or a problem. At this point friends and family don’t know he or she has become an alcoholic. Chances are neither does the drinker.

In the intermediate stage the drinker no longer needs a reason to drink. They may even fabricate reasons to drink. He or she is now drinking way over socially acceptable limits, until they reach a loss of control point or blackout. The drinker may have a DUI. Family and friends are now aware that there is a problem and the drinker gets angry when alcohol abuse is mentioned. The drinker thinks he or she can stop drinking anytime they want to. This is no longer the case. They will say “I will never drink again!” and sincerely mean it. They are shocked to find that when they stop, the cravings for alcohol are all but unbearable.

The advanced stages of alcoholism are many times devastation to the drinker and those around him or her. Friends and family have become despondent and disgusted with the destruction the drinker has brought upon themselves and others. There is irreversible damage to internal organs as the body and mind are destroyed by alcohol. Those who now try to get the drinker to stop drinking are wasting their time. The drinker is controlled by their alcoholism.

At this point it is going to take a catastrophic event to get the alcoholic to decide he or she really wants to stop drinking. At this advanced stage when the drinker makes a sincere attempt to stop drinking, he or she will find out that the addiction has completely taken hold, and there will be extreme withdrawal symptoms.

Addiction to alcohol is one of the hardest battles a person will face. While many alcoholics can beat their addictions, some cannot stop drinking no matter how hard they try. Alcohol is a powerful thing that is difficult to overcome, but remember that it can be done. Never stop reaching for a future that is free from alcohol and its problems.

Tags: Personal Development

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