Alcoholism is a chronic disease that affects millions of people around the world. It is characterized by the compulsive and uncontrolled consumption of alcohol, despite the negative consequences that this may have on the person's life. Throughout this article, we will explore the four phases of alcoholism and how they affect the person who suffers from it.
Phase 1: Occasional use
In the first phase of alcoholism, the person begins to consume alcohol occasionally and socially. It can be at meetings with friends, celebrations or special events. At this stage, alcohol consumption does not represent a serious problem and the person can control their consumption habits.
Symptoms:
- Moderate alcohol consumption in social situations.
- Ability to stop or moderate the amount of alcohol consumed.
- Does not experience significant negative consequences due to alcohol consumption.
In this phase , the person may not be aware of the risks associated with excessive alcohol consumption. You may believe that you have control over your consumption and that you are not at risk of developing an alcohol problem.
Phase 2: Alcohol Abuse
The second phase of alcoholism is characterized by excessive and repetitive consumption of alcohol. The person begins to drink more regularly and in larger quantities. Alcohol consumption begins to affect your daily life and your interpersonal relationships.
Symptoms:
- Frequent consumption of alcohol, even alone.
- Difficulty limiting the amount of alcohol consumed.
- Problems at work, family, or health begin to arise due to alcohol consumption.
At this stage, The person may experience episodes of drunkenness, memory loss, alcohol-related health problems, and interpersonal conflicts. Despite these problems, the person may deny that they have a problem with alcohol and justify their consumption.
Phase 3: Alcohol dependence
In the third phase of alcoholism, person develops a physical and psychological dependence on alcohol. Alcohol consumption becomes a necessity for the person, who experiences withdrawal symptoms when they try to reduce or stop their consumption.
Symptoms:
- Urgent need to consume alcohol to function or feel well.
- Withdrawal symptoms such as shaking, sweating, nausea or anxiety when not consuming alcohol.
- Impairment in all areas of life due to continued alcohol consumption.
In this phase, the person may experience serious physical and mental health problems, deterioration in interpersonal relationships, work and legal problems, and social isolation. The person may feel trapped in a cycle of drinking alcohol to relieve withdrawal symptoms, making it even more difficult to seek help.
Stage 4: Chronic Alcoholism
The The fourth and final phase of alcoholism is chronic alcoholism, in which the person is completely immersed in the disease and their life revolves around alcohol consumption. In this stage, the person faces serious physical, mental, social and emotional consequences due to their addiction.
Symptoms:
- Constant alcohol consumption despite the negative consequences evident.
- Severe deterioration in physical and mental health.
- Social isolation and serious interpersonal conflicts.
In this phase, the person can experience serious health problems, such as liver disease, brain damage, mental disorders, and risk of suicide. Chronic alcoholism can have devastating consequences for the person and their environment, and in many cases, can result in death due to complications related to alcohol consumption.
In conclusion, alcoholism is a progressive disease. which develops through four distinct phases, from occasional use to chronic alcoholism. It is crucial to recognize the signs and symptoms of each phase in order to intervene in time and offer help to those suffering from this disease. Prevention, early detection and appropriate treatment are key in addressing alcoholism and improving the quality of life of affected people.