What is Alcohol Addiction?
Pre-Alcoholic Stage
This stage occurs in the time very early on before alcohol problems develop. Drinking hasn’t become a frequent occurrence, nor has it started causing problems. Drinking habits are more casual, but there is an underlying chance for it to become a larger issue.
A person engages in drinking thinking it’s harmless. The alcohol interacts with the chemicals in the brain, promoting relaxation and/or excitability. When drinking makes a person feel this euphoria, it’s easy for them to rely on alcohol to help ease anxiety or tensions from the day.
When alcohol becomes the coping mechanism for any type of mental health relief, problems with addiction may be on the horizon.
Signs to Watch For in the Pre-Alcoholic Stage
At this point, any issues are still masked. It can be very difficult for the drink or people on the outside to detect a probelm. The pre-alcoholic stage is similar to social drinking and can look innocent enough. Things to be mindful of include:
Using alcohol as a coping mechanism.
Adding alcohol to normal drinks.
Mixing stronger drinks.
Planning social engagements around the consumption of alcohol.
Early-Stage Alcoholism
The early stage of alcoholism is where binge drinking begins. Excessive drinking and blackout periods are not uncommon. This can frequently be seen when people are using alcohol to deal with stress and emotions or with adolescents who are new to drinking and don’t know control or their limits.
If you know someone who “needs alcohol to have a good time,” they would fall into this category. The use of alcohol is often written off as relaxing after a hard day, spending time with friends, or a routine part of a social outing.
Signs of Early-Stage Alcoholism
Drinking habits during this stage are laughed off or easily excusable in the eyes of the drinker. These habits can quickly become a slippery slope. Watch for binge drinking, memory loss, problems controlling their behavior, and empty promises to correct the behavior (or difficulty doing so).
Middle Alcoholic Phase
If it hasn’t been noticeable already, the middle alcoholic phase is where the drinking problem becomes more apparent. The person will downplay and mask their behavior, often lying to themself. Drinking will likely cause problems in many areas of life, including personal relationships, work, and leisure activities.
Additional signs include:
Irritability
Skin changes
Bloating
Shakiness
Memory fogginess
Needing a drink at inappropriate times
End-Stage Alcoholism
When a person reaches the end stage of alcohol addiction, there will be evident long-term effects. Drinking takes place throughout the day, most days. Drinking also has taken priority over other important life responsibilities.
Financial troubles, marital troubles, and career consequences are likely. In some instances, people may become functioning alcoholics, meaning they can still maintain some semblance of a normal life while heavily drinking.
Treatment at Any Stage
No matter what stage a person is in, there can be serious side effects of alcohol use. Addiction is a disease and not something to be taken lightly. Saying “I’m going to quit” isn’t as easily done when it comes down to it. Once the drinking ball gets rolling, it can be hard to stop it from snowballing.
Treatment is usually a longer-term commitment to get on a healthier path. There are rehab options, support groups, and therapy services. If you or someone you know is facing alcohol addiction, it’s important to get help as soon as possible. Contact us today to learn more.