Stages of Alcohol Dependence

Alcoholism Stage 1: Abstinence

If a person has attitudes and perceptions uniform with those that addicts generally exhibit, alcohol dependence can literally start before the drinking gets started.

Alcoholism Stage 2: First Usage

Stage two can include the experimental use of alcohol, irregular usage, or occasional binge alcohol consumption (i.e., one or two times a year). First usage of alcohol may not be a concern for the user or those people who are close to the user. Periodic drinking may create difficulties while the user is intoxicated or the next day, she or he hasn't got to the stage of dependence.

Alcoholism Stage 3: Significant Risk Usage

High risk describes an abundance of alcohol consumption, and poor choices made when intoxicated. At this stage, the pattern and frequency of alcohol abuse is high enough to be dangerous for the drinker and people around him or her.

Alcoholism Stage 4: Problematic Usage

Problematic usage of alcohol occurs when the adverse consequences of drinking becomes obvious. Physical health concerns become issues, including things like damaged liver function and/or STDs (sexual transmitted diseases).

Alcoholism Stage 5: Early Stage of Dependence

The early stage of alcohol addiction is characterized by noticeable problems. The user begins to miss work, starts arguments with family members and friends while under the influence. The alcoholic will elect to drink in spite of adverse consequences. At this point, alcohol rehab is highly effective.

Alcoholism Stage 6: Middle Stage of Dependency

During the middle stage of alcoholism, negative consequences begin to escalate. The user loses his or her job due to too many missed days at work.

Alcoholism Stage 7: Crisis Stage of Dependency

At this crisis point, everybody takes note of the consequences of alcoholism, including the alcoholic. Serious health concerns become issues. The alcoholic is seldom without a drink, but the drinker believes he or she is deceiving everyone. This stage routinely results in alcohol-related deaths for the individuals if they do not enter into alcohol rehab.