Stages of Alcoholism

Three Stages of Alcoholism Inherent to the Disease

Alcoholism is a disease characterized by cravings, loss of control, physical dependence and a need for increasing amounts of alcohol to feel the same intoxicating effects.

An increase in tolerance to alcohol usually develops in the "pre-alcoholic" stage of the disease.

Typically, during this initial phase, a person seeks out alcohol in social situations.

Someone who is likely to become an alcoholic will begin to feel some kind of mental relief from drinking in a social atmosphere.

Psychological dependence may develop when this person begins to need to drink in order to do something… such as face a difficult task, have a good time or unwind at the end of the day.

Soon the drinker may exhibit other warming signs of alcoholism. For instance, he or she may experience blackouts or memory lapses when drinking.

The individual may begin to drink alone before going out to parties, gulp drinks and feel some guilt about his or her alcohol consumption.

Among the stages of alcoholism, the "crucial" phase is one in which drinkers lose control of their drinking. Life becomes alcohol centered, and family life and friendships deteriorate.

The first alcohol-related hospitalization is likely and, at this stage, the alcoholic has developed a physical dependence on the drug. His or her body needs the neurochemical reaction produced by alcohol to function.

The final stage of alcoholism is the "chronic" stage in which drinking begins earlier in the day and drunkenness is usually a daily state.

In this phase, the alcoholic may turn to drinking in places outside his or her peer group, such as bars in other neighborhoods. The alcoholic may notice a loss of tolerance to alcohol and may develop tremors and other drug-related symptoms.

Alcoholism at any stage can be treated. Yet, the sooner a person is able to acknowledge the need for help with alcohol dependence, the better his or her chances are for recovery.

Related Information

More on the stages of alcoholism on our main alcoholism stages page

Alcoholism home page