Alcoholism Stage 1: Abstinence
If a person has attitudes and perceptions consistent with those that addicts traditionally display, alcohol dependence can actually start before the alcohol consumption commences.
Alcoholism Stage 2: Initial Usage
Stage two can include the experimental use of alcohol, irregular use, or periodic binge alcohol consumption (i.e., one or two times a year). First use of alcohol may not be a problem for the user or those people who are close to the user. Occasional alcohol consumption may well provoke difficulties while the user is drunk or the following day, he or she hasn’t reached the stage of addiction.
Alcoholism Stage 3: High Risk Use
Significant risk describes an abundance of alcohol consumption, and poor choices made when intoxicated. At this stage, the pattern and regularity of alcohol abuse is high enough to be hazardous for the drinker and those around them.
Alcoholism Stage 4: Problematic Use
When the harmful consequences of alcohol consumption becomes obvious, problematic use of alcohol occurs. Physical health concerns become issues, including things like impaired liver function and/or STDs (sexual transmitted diseases). DUI (driving drunk) charges may well occur, and/or other legal issues connected with drinking to excess and making poor choices. Family and friends notice there is a problem.
Alcoholism Stage 5: Early Stage of Dependence
The early stage of alcohol addiction is characterized by noticeable problems. At this point, alcohol rehab is most effective.
Alcoholism Stage 6: Middle Stage of Dependency
During the middle stage of alcoholism, negative consequences begin to escalate. The user loses his or her job due to a lot of skipped days at work. Alcohol-induced fights end relationships. The consequences of the harmful consequences of alcoholism become irreversible.
Alcoholism Stage 7: Crisis Stage of Dependency
At this crisis point, everybody is aware of the effects of alcohol addiction, including the alcoholic. Serious physical health concerns become issues. The alcoholic is seldom without a drink, but the user believes he or she is fooling everyone. This stage frequently leads to alcohol-related deaths for the users if they do not enter into alcohol rehab.