Understanding Alcoholism Through Its Four Stages

Alcoholism is a disease that requires medical attention to prevent its progression. It is a widespread complex disease in the US that remains inadequately understood. It has many complications particularly on health, emotional, psychological, social and economic aspects. The four basic alcoholism symptoms include yearning for the alcohol, physical dependence, increase in tolerance and the loss of control.

The Four Stages Of Alcoholism

Alcoholism can be better understood when the assessment of the alcoholism symptoms is done using the four alcoholism stages. There are certain references that merely identify three stages: these are increasing dependency, addiction, and the end stage or late stage of alcoholism. There are certain references too that present four stages based on the alcoholism symptoms manifested by the patient.

In the first stage, consuming of alcohol is used to address certain emotional predicament. The drinker wants to "get high" in order to escape stress, problems and inhibitions. It is used as a source of confidence to be able to socialize, talk and be comfortable with other people. The constancy of drinking can most certainly increase the tolerance for alcohol so that one is motivated to drink more for the same high that used to be attained for lesser quantity.

In the second stage, the need to drink is more frequent that it starts even in the mornings. The degree of tolerance has gone considerably higher. This means that one needs to consume a much higher dose in order to attain the "high". Losing control is not as frequent yet, but physical symptoms are becoming increasingly apparent such as blackouts, gastric uneasiness, hand tremors and hangovers.

The loss of control becomes more frequent in the third stage. The dependency is confirmed and the day cannot pass without drinking. Once sober, the alcoholic may feel embarrassment but these are all forgotten once drinking starts. Other problems start cropping up as one neglects personal health, studies or work, family and other social involvements.

The last stage is called the end stage which is characteristically the terminal stage when all hell breaks loose - failing health, damaged relationships, loss of job or failing grades in school, and loss of social life among other things.

One may ask why an alcoholic must sacrifice everything for booze. Imagine obsession for alcohol as a progressive disease. Think about the embarrassing moments and the bouts of related health problems like pancreatitis or liver cirrhosis. Alcoholism is a disease; one can only get it out of one's system with success through rehabilitation.

Joey Young is a writer on topics about http://alcoholicsymptoms.net/ and features of http://alcoholism-symptoms.org/

Source: http://articles.submityourarticle.com/understanding-alcoholism-through-its-four-stages-284695

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