Stages of Alcoholism
There is a time period before things get really bad. Sometimes it isn’t brief. The beginning stages of alcoholism can be brief. The late stages of alcoholism can be fleeting because the need for help becomes so obvious there isn’t time left to suffer. In between, there is the middle stage of alcoholism where things have progressed from maybe to probably, bordering on definitely that there is a problem with alcohol present.
When the middle stage develops, chemical dependency has taken hold. Many changes in personality, physical condition, and life circumstances are already starting to change. However, life is still somewhat functional. “High functioning alcoholism” is what might be applied to the middle stage of alcoholism.
Though appearances might be kept, in addition to jobs, relationships, and other life responsibilities, life on the inside of an alcoholic is worsening.
Indications That Alcoholism Is Progressing Towards Late Stages of Development
- You have a need for alcohol: It isn’t that you want to drink all the time, but that you need to. In order to get started with your day and shake off the shakes, you have to have a drink. You make sure that alcohol is available everywhere that you are, hiding bottles and sneaking drinks when you can.
- You’re already aware there’s an issue: You might not yet be reserved to the reality that your alcoholism is completely out of your control. In order to try and contest that, you suffer through brief periods of abstinence, to prove to yourself you can do it. Once you start drinking again, you’re right back to the problems where you started.
- Few things are as important as drinking: Nobody understands you, nothing really matters, and you don’t care anyway. This makes it easier for you to choose drinking over anything else in your life, and you’re okay with that.
- You feel pretty terrible about that: Maybe you aren’t as okay with that as you have to be. Pretending to be okay with the fact that alcohol is completely taking over your life is easier than trying to deal with the deep and debilitating feelings of guilt, shame, resentment, regret, and remorse you keep experiencing.
- You’re not the only one who has noticed: Friends, family members, bosses, co-workers, and the strangers at the bar you’ve been hanging out and drinking with have all said something. What’s everyone’s problem anyway? They don’t have one, but if you’ve identified with any or all of these descriptions, you have a problem with alcohol.
Recovery from alcoholism is possible. Your path to recovery starts right now. Call Lakehouse Recovery Center today for information on our residential treatment programs and twelve month after care. 877.762.3707.