subject: Figuring Out Alcohol Addiction Through Its Four Stages [print this page] Addiction to alcohol is a ailment that requires medical treatment to prevent its progression. It is a common complex disease in America that remains insufficiently understood. It has many risks particularly on health, emotional, psychological, social and economic aspects. The 4 basic symptoms of alcohol addiction include desire for the alcohol, physical dependence, increased tolerance and the loss of control.
The Four Phases Of Alcoholism
Alcoholism can be better understood when the evaluation of the alcoholism indications is done using the four alcoholism stages. There are actually certain references which simply identify three stages: these are increasing dependency, obsession, and the end stage or late stage of alcoholism. There are specific references too that present four stages based on the symptoms of alcoholism manifested by the affected individual.
In the first stage, ingesting of alcohol is utilized to address certain mental concern. The drinker wishes to "get high" in an effort to escape stress, problems and inhibitions. It is used as a method to obtain confidence to be able to socialize, talk and be comfortable with peers. The consistency of consumption of alcohol can most likely increase the tolerance for liquor so that one is motivated to drink more for the same high that was previously attained for lesser quantity.
During the second phase, the desire to drink is more constant that it begins even during the day. The degree of tolerance has gone considerably higher. Because of this one needs to consume a much higher dose in order to achieve the "high". Losing control is not as recurrent yet, but physical signs and symptoms are becoming significantly obvious such as blackouts, gastric uneasiness, hand tremors and hangovers.
The losing of control gets to be more frequent in the third stage. The dependency is confirmed and the day is unable to pass without drinking alcohol. Once sober, the alcoholic may feel humiliation but these are all forgotten once drinking begins. Other troubles start appearing as one neglects personal health, studies or work, family and various social involvements.
The final stage is referred to as the end stage that is usually the terminal stage when all hell breaks loose - failing health, broken relationships, loss of employment or failing grades in school, and loss of social life amongst other things.
One could ask why an alcoholic must compromise everything for alcohol. Imagine obsession for alcohol as a developing disease. Think about the humiliating moments and the bouts of related health issues like pancreatitis or liver cirrhosis. Alcohol dependency is a disease; one can only have it out of one's body with success through rehabilitation.
