| There are three stages of alcoholism. As many people | | | | are shocked to find that when they stop, the cravings |
| know, alcoholism can take years to develop. | | | | for alcohol are all but unbearable. |
| Alcoholism begins when drinking starts affecting the | | | | The advanced stages of alcoholism include friends and |
| physical and mental health of the drinker - they have | | | | family of the alcoholic being appalled at the self |
| crossed that invisible line into alcoholism. | | | | destruction the drinker is engaging in. There is damage |
| In the early stages of alcoholism the drinker has | | | | to internal organs, and the body and mind is slipping |
| started to drink for new reasons. They drink to change | | | | away. Anyone who tries to talk the drinker into quitting |
| their mood or maybe to help daily stress or a problem. | | | | is wasting his time. These efforts are falling on deaf |
| At this point friends and family don't know he or she | | | | ears. |
| has become an alcoholic. Chances are neither does | | | | At this point it is going to take a catastrophic event to |
| the drinker. | | | | get the alcoholic to decide he or she really wants to |
| In the intermediate stage the drinker no longer needs a | | | | stop drinking. At this advanced stage when the drinker |
| reason to drink. They may even fabricate reasons to | | | | makes a sincere attempt to stop drinking, he or she will |
| drink. He or she is now drinking way over socially | | | | find out that the addiction has completely taken hold, |
| acceptable limits, until they reach a loss of control point | | | | and there will be extreme withdrawal symptoms. |
| or blackout. The drinker may have a DUI. Family and | | | | It is very difficult to overcome an addiction to alcohol. |
| friends are now aware that there is a problem and the | | | | Many alcoholics are able to get well, and some no |
| drinker gets angry when alcohol abuse is mentioned. | | | | matter how hard they try just can't stop drinking. |
| The drinker thinks he or she can stop drinking anytime | | | | Alcohol is extremely powerful and too formidable for |
| they want to. This is no longer the case. They will say | | | | some, making this a battle they won't be able to win. |
| "I will never drink again!" and sincerely mean it. They | | | | Regardless, it is all-important to never quit quitting. |