You Can Stop Drinking Now

There are really three stages of alcoholism. As many people know, alcoholism can take years to develop. Alcoholism begins when drinking starts affecting the physical and mental health of the drinker - they have crossed that invisible line into alcoholism.

In the early stages of alcoholism the drinker has started to drink for new reasons. They drink to change their mood or maybe to help daily stress or a problem. At this point friends and family don’t know he or she has become an alcoholic. Chances are neither does the drinker.

In the intermediate stage the drinker no longer needs a reason to drink. They may even fabricate reasons to drink. He or she is now drinking way over socially acceptable limits, until they reach a loss of control point or blackout. The drinker may have a DUI. Family and friends are now aware that there is a problem and the drinker gets angry when the alcohol abuse is mentioned. The drinker thinks he or she can stop drinking anytime they want to. This is no longer the case. They will say “I will never drink again!” and sincerely mean it. They are shocked to find that when they stop, the cravings for alcohol are all but unbearable.

The advanced stages of alcoholism include friends and family of the alcoholic being distressed at the self destruction the drinker is engaging in. There is damage to internal organs and the body and mind is slipping away. Anyone who tries to talk the drinker into quitting is wasting his time. These efforts are falling on deaf ears. At this point it is going to take a catastrophic event to get the alcoholic to decide he or she really wants to stop drinking. At this advanced stage when the drinker makes a sincere attempt to stop drinking, he or she will find out that the addiction has completely taken hold, and there will be extreme withdrawal symptoms.

It is very difficult to overcome an addiction to alcohol. Many alcoholics are able to get well, and some, no matter how hard they try, just can’t stop drinking. Alcohol is extremely powerful and too formidable for some, making this is a battle they won’t be able to win.  Regardless, it is all-important to never quit quitting. – Eric K.