The Stages of Alcoholism: 3 & 4
In the third and fourth stages of alcoholism, the individual becomes more and more physically dependent upon the substance to function. Drinking habits become more obvious to family and friends, and it’s clear that the drinker’s life is taking a negative turn.
The Third Stage of Alcoholism: The drinker’s loss of control has become more pronounced and noticeable to outside viewers. Often the individual cannot manage the quantity or speed with which he consumes alcohol after the first taste. Serious problems in the drinker’s social life, relationships and work experience are piling up. It’s common for drinking to occur as soon as a new day starts in order to calm the symptoms of a hangover and to muffle feelings of remorse. Drinking has taken the place of other necessities, such as food and shelter. The drinker may at this point make small attempts to seek help, but doesn’t follow through.
The Fourth Stage of Alcoholism: In the fourth stage, it is highly unlikely that the drinker can be a “functioning alcoholic”, meaning he has little chance at maintaining a job or relationships. Drinking is no longer a choice; the withdrawals from not drinking are so severe that the individual has to drink in order to make it through the day. Long, drawn-out binges are frequent, where the individual is helplessly drunk for days or weeks. He is constantly on the hunt for that initial high he received from his first drink, but can never achieve the same feeling. During this stage, alcoholics experience delirium tremens, or the shakes, which is a serious condition of the nervous system that has potentially deadly consequences.
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