Alcoholism Stages: Why Does Alcoholism Get Worse?

In the first stage of alcoholism, people exhibit occasional instances of abuse and binge drinking. People in this stage are often testing their limits with drinking and may overdrink from time to time. Young adults, particularly students in high school and college, are likely to occasionally abuse alcohol and experiment with the substance. People in this stage of drinking typically can quit drinking by simply deciding to do so.

The second stage of alcoholism concerns the frequency of your drinking. Increased drinking that goes beyond drinking occasionally at parties indicates that your drinking habits have progressed. You may now find yourself drinking more regularly, such as every weekend or even throughout the week. What was once a social activity at parties is now a regular habit that is used to put yourself in a good emotional state.

Becoming a regular drinker like this puts you at risk for developing a dependency on alcohol, followed by alcoholism. Formal treatment for an alcohol use disorder is not likely to be necessary at this stage, though a firm commitment to reduce your drinking will be.

The third stage of alcoholism, problem drinking, develops out of a consistent and regular pattern of abusing alcohol. Problem drinkers are still not necessarily alcoholics, and many people in this stage are still able to quit drinking on their own. People struggling with problem drinking are probably facing negative consequences as a result of their drinking habits. They may encounter problems with their relationships, problems at work or school, and mental and physical health consequences.  

Problem drinking is also a risky stage to be in as it puts you at high risk of becoming dependent on alcohol. Because dependence has not necessarily developed, as many as 70 percent of problem drinkers can quit drinking without seeking medical attention, counseling, or participating in support groups.

The fourth stage of alcoholism is alcohol dependence. Following a sustained pattern of problem drinking, your body is likely to develop a tolerance to alcohol, meaning you must consume it in greater quantities to achieve the same desired effects as before. Additionally, you have lost control over how much alcohol you consume and continue to drink despite the negative consequences you experience.

By this stage, dependence on alcohol indicates a need for formal treatment. It can be physically dangerous to detox on your own or quit cold turkey. Medically assisted detox can ensure your safety as your body adjusts to alcohol gradually leaving your system.

The fifth and final stage of alcoholism is addiction. By the time of addiction, you have developed both a physical and psychological dependence on alcohol. You crave alcohol at all times and often can’t function until you have some. Severe and dangerous withdrawal symptoms, such as nausea, vomiting, and seizures, are likely to take place if you try to reduce your alcohol intake.

By the time you have developed an alcohol addiction, you must seek medical attention to detox safely and get you on the right path to recovery. In addition to medical attention to monitor your withdrawal symptoms, you will need to participate in personal therapy to address the psychological impacts of addiction. Through therapy, you will learn vital coping skills for helping you maintain a life free from alcohol use following treatment.