How Alcohol Abuse Progresses into Alcoholism

Alcohol abuse can lead into much more dangerous situations!

Alcoholism is not some disease that just appears over night. You don’t just wake up one day and all of a sudden you’re an alcoholic. Alcoholism begins with alcohol abuse and over time as drinking progresses from being a fun thing to do socially and on occasion to being a damaging situation that is out of control.

Alcohol Abuse – The Beginning Stage and Potential for Long Term Alcoholism

Early on, people may drink to calm their nerves in social situations. Drinking alcohol occasionally and during social situations such as at a party or while at a corporate dinner is not considered alcohol abuse, unless the drinking causes problems such as when an individual gets into trouble as a result of the drinking. These early stages of drinking alcohol as a means of relaxing when in social situations can progress into situations in which an individual will drink when stressed out, they may begin drinking alone every once in a while or they may even begin to drink regularly.

Early alcoholism is marked by an increase in tolerance as well as an increased desire to drink. In most cases, the alcoholism is not recognized right away by friends or family and this early stage of alcoholism is simply recognized as “social drinking” that has strayed outside the lines a bit. For the alcoholic, drinking makes things in life “feel” better and relieves stress. Alcoholics in the early stage of alcoholism may feel hungover or have withdrawal symptoms as a result of not drinking for a while.

The Middle Stage of Alcoholism – Far Past Alcohol Abuse

As alcoholism progresses a range of problems begin to occur as a result of the drinking. Physically, the alcoholic wakes up hungover quite often now and when drinking may blackout and forget what happened. Their hands or body may have tremors and feel shaky without the alcohol, and chronic physical problems such as heartburn, fatigue and various illness become present. For the alcoholic, all of the physical ailments are usually “brushed off” as being related to something other than the alcohol and the alcoholic will continue to drink.

Alcoholics in the middle stage of alcoholism have allowed their drinking to progress to a point in which there is no longer social acceptance with the amount of drinking that they do. Relationships suffer or become overly stressed as a result of the drinking and most alcoholic at this point also slack on their responsibilities with work, school or home family life. The alcoholic feels as though life is just “in the gutter” or “going downhill” and as a result usually turns to drinking more to escape or “deal with” reality. Unfortunately, it’s the drinking that has caused the problems in the first place.

Full Blown Alcoholism – Alcohol the Lethal Drug

In the late stage of alcoholism, there’s nothing more important than alcohol to the alcoholic. Alcohol is a lethal drug that causes organ damage and ultimately can result in death. Alcoholics in the late stage of alcoholism are consumed by the need to drink and their lives focus and revolve around getting the next drink. At this point, alcoholism is full blown and even if the alcoholic wants to stop, the withdrawal symptoms make it seem impossible. Alcoholics in the late stage of alcoholism need the help of qualified specialist at alcohol rehab centers in order to safely detox from alcohol and stop drinking.

Find an Alcohol Rehab Center for Alcoholism Treatment

Alcoholism is a scarey situation and detox is even scarier if you try to do it alone. There is good news though – alcohol rehab centers can provide a safe environment for detox from alcohol and will help alcoholics to begin the difficult journey to recovery. Whether you are in the very beginning stage of alcoholism or you or someone you know is suffering from the full blow stage of alcoholism and needs help to stop drinking and regain control of life, it is possible with the help of alcohol rehab centers and the qualified specialists that provide treatment and care for all stages of alcoholism.

It’s never too late to change the way you live your life. Small positive changes can result in very large and rewarding outcomes. Contact an alcohol rehab center and begin counseling and treatment for alcoholism or alcohol abuse today for a better tomorrow.