While mild to moderate drinking is not a problem for many adults, some cannot overcome their addictions. When alcohol controls a person’s life, they often need professional intervention. Many people do not realize there are stages to alcoholism. The further one progresses in the stages, the more challenging it becomes to seek sobriety.

What Are the 5 Stages of Alcoholism?

There are five stages of alcoholism, and each one progresses in severity. Experts state around 17 million Americans have alcohol use disorders. About 855,000 children ages 12 to 17 have the disorder. Alcoholism is a growing epidemic, and states are taking the initiative to offer drug and alcohol rehab options for people of all ages.

Stage One: Occasional Binge Drinking

The first stage of alcoholism is the experimental stage. People on this level experiment to learn how their bodies react to alcohol. Young adults are the most common age group in this stage. Binge drinking is five or more alcoholic beverages in two hours for men or four for women.

Stage Two: Increasing Drinking

Stage two follows the initial stage by increasing alcohol intake. While some people only drink at parties and social events, some in this stage will find themselves drinking alone or during the week. There is a much higher emotional attachment to regular alcohol use.

Stage Three: Problematic Drinking

Once a person keeps giving in to their drinking tendencies, they can develop problematic drinking. During this stage, people begin experiencing the negative impacts of excessive drinking, including relationship issues, changes in friends, and erratic behaviors.

Stage Four: Alcohol Dependence

There are two main aspects to alcoholism. Dependence and addiction are similar, but addiction becomes more challenging to overcome. During the fourth stage, people become attached to alcohol. They may still quit at this stage but enjoy drinking and want to indulge as often as possible. Most people in this stage find they have to drink more to get the same effects they did when starting to drink alcohol.

Stage Five: Addiction and Eventually Alcoholism

Once people become addicted to alcohol, they can quickly delve into alcoholism. At this stage, people no longer want to drink because they enjoy it. They drink because they have physical and mental needs. People in this stage crave alcohol and cannot go without it for long.

What Happens to Alcoholics?

Many people do not want to think about the negatives of excessive alcohol consumption, but they are real and must be addressed. People who regularly drink excessive amounts of alcohol will eventually suffer the following.

• Liver damage
• Brain damage
• Heart disease
• Mental health disorders, including the risk of suicide
• Malnutrition

Seek Professional Help

Most people cannot quit alcohol without professional intervention. Some alcoholics may find it dangerous to withdraw from alcohol without medical supervision because of the symptoms.

Before a person seeks help, they must realize they have a problem. If someone cannot admit they have a problem with alcohol, they will not seek help. Alcohol addiction knows no bounds, including gender, age, or social position. From the youngest to the oldest, there are alcoholics in almost all age groups.

Some people will need an intensive professional intervention that involves residential care. These interventions help people go through a medical detox, which can be undertaken safely and comfortably at an alcohol detox clinic, which help individuals to start the process of overcoming their alcoholism with a clear head.

If you or a loved one are living with alcoholism and in need of professional help, alcohol rehab clinics offer structured programs that include therapy and support to help individuals achieve long-term sobriety.