We’ve all heard the stereotype of the alcoholic living in a run-down trailer with only a case of beer in their fridge. But what about the functioning alcoholics who live in a decent home, get up and go to work every day, raise a family, and maybe even have money in the bank? Is their alcoholism any less of an addiction than those who’ve lost just about everything due to their drinking?
There are millions of alcoholics in the United States, and many of those alcoholics are considered “functioning.” In fact, many who wonder if they’re really alcoholics or not and may even call themselves “high functioning drinkers” won’t reach out for help to stop drinking. They think because they can “function” pretty well, they don’t really have a problem.
So, What’s The Big Deal?
Well, the big deal is that functioning alcoholics do have something to be concerned about. Maybe they haven’t missed work days and have enough money in the bank to pay their bills. Maybe their kids are being taken care of and their relationship is considered normal.
For now.
See, alcoholism is a progressive disease. Over time, the drinking becomes more for several reasons. First, the more one drinks the more tolerance increases. The more one needs to catch that “buzz”, the more likely they are to become physically addicted to the substance. Second, drinkers just tend to drink more over time. Surely you can think of someone who used to drink two drinks while out socializing, but now they drink four or five. Or maybe your buddy used to go out once a month and now he goes out three or four times. Alcoholism is progressive, and more often than not, over time people drink more; not less.
The 4 Stages of Alcoholism
Building Tolerance
The first stage of alcoholism for the alcoholic – functioning or not – is considered the stage where a “normal” drinker becomes a problem drinker. This is the stage where people aren’t just drinking socially, but more as an escape or binge drinking to get drunk. Normal drinkers don’t set out to get drunk. Alcoholics do. They sort of laugh at the thought of just having one drink or think, “Why bother?” If they’re going to drink, they want to at least have a couple to “feel something”.
It’s during this first stage where they begin building tolerance. Maybe they started drinking once a week, having a few beers. But maybe they notice that they want to drink more often with and without friends. Perhaps they reach for a drink after a tough day’s work or hit the bar on the way home from work. They’re life isn’t consumed by drinking, but they think about it more than they used to and it’s taking more alcohol to reach the euphoric state they really like.
Those in Stage 1 might think they’ve got things under control because they’re still working hard and taking care of their life. Sure, they get drunk sometimes and maybe even use alcohol to cope with rough days, but they’re sure they’re not alcoholics – yet.
Dependence
Stage 2 involves a person becoming physically dependent upon alcohol. Because they’ve started drinking more often and more in quantity when they do drink, they desire it more. Alcohol is an addictive drug. It’s so easy for people to forget that alcohol is, in fact, a “drug”, and it’s addictive. So, the more you drink, the more likely you are to become dependent on it.
It’s at this stage where people tend to feel slight withdrawal symptoms when they go without alcohol for a while. They may feel anxious, shaky, or irritable, and might not even realize it’s because their body is going through withdrawal from the alcohol. Consciously or unconsciously, they’ll start planning more activities that revolve around alcohol, so they don’t have to feel the daunting symptoms.
It’s also at this stage where they may not be able to stop drinking after one or two. It’s like their brain gets triggered once they start drinking and it just wants more and more. They may end up drunk time and time again, waking up with horrible hangovers vowing to never drink again. Yet, they will. They may also begin drinking as a coping mechanism for problems or emotional issues.
It’s at this time that partners, family members, and friends may begin to wonder about their drinking habits. Even those who consider themselves “functioning drinkers” will notice that they drink more often than they “really” want to, yet they’re not apt to tell anyone about this. Most of them never speak to anyone about their wonderings about their drinking habits.
Denial is common in the 2nd stage of alcoholism. People really don’t realize they are struggling with a dependence on alcohol or they don’t want to believe it. They may blame others or their stressful life for their drinking habits. In this stage, they may experience blackouts, digestive issues, and hand tremors.
Consequences
Stage 3 is the stage where some negative consequences will most likely be felt due to drinking. As a progressive disease, alcoholism will eventually begin robbing things from the alcoholic’s life. Even the functioning alcoholic will start to feel some pain from the drinking. It could be in the form of depression, loneliness, relationship issues, less productivity at work, less self-esteem, and so on.
This is progression occurring, week by week, month by month, year by year. While drinking used to feel fun, the alcoholic no longer really enjoys drinking. Maybe it’s because they’re now experiencing some pain around the topic. Friends and family may have had “the talk” with them, concerned that they’re abusing alcohol. Or maybe they just know deep down they’ve gotten in deep and have tried to stop drinking, but can’t.
It’s at this stage where they might start to experience things like isolating from others, slacking in responsibilities (including hygiene), becoming depressed and maybe getting in trouble with the law.
Loss of Control
The final stage of alcoholism is marked by your loss of control. Where you used to be able to manage your alcohol intake to a degree, now you feel like you have to drink to function. You may have tried to stop drinking multiple times, but the withdrawal symptoms have you drinking again in no time. Chances are you’ve lost a good bit by now, perhaps your relationship, family, job, money, and more. Your body is now suffering too, perhaps with liver problems.
It’s in this final stage where severe withdrawal symptoms can show up when attempts to quit are made, such as hallucinations, tremors, high anxiety, seizures, and at the very worst: death.
Still, even in this final stage of alcoholism, there are those who still get up every day to go to work, have a family to come home to, and may even have a bit of money in the bank. But they are still alcoholics, having to drink every day to cope and manage withdrawal symptoms.
In this stage, the drinker is no longer able to control his or her drinking habit. They become completely obsessed with alcohol and start to engage in other alcohol related activities. This stage is very serious for its effects will start being felt at home and at work. The victim tends to ignore his or her obligation and even miss work. He or she may encounter many relationship issues and could potentially suffer a break up. The health may begin to deteriorate from all the years of drinking as well. Additionally, apart from withdrawal symptoms like tremors, blackouts will continue to occur at this stage.
Those that do not reach out for help at this stage as soon as possible, the addiction can have a significant impact on their social and economic life. Even worse, death may occur.
Once someone gets to this stage of alcoholism, it’s very important to get them to a treatment center to begin detox under medical supervision. It’s very challenging to stop drinking on their own at this point. Even those who see themselves in any of the other stages may need medical assistance to stop.
Can I Stop Drinking With Willpower?
Alcoholism is a serious disease. For those who think that all people need is willpower to stop, that’s not reality. Most alcoholics will need to reach out for some sort of support to get on the road to recovery. And not just get on the road to recovery – but to stay there!
If you’re struggling with alcoholism and can recognize yourself in one of these stages, consider reaching out for help via an alcohol rehab center. There you will be able to get sober and learn how you can live life sober and free from the grip of alcoholism.
Inpatient Alcohol Treatment
Regardless of which of the 4 stages of alcoholism a person is in, heading to an inpatient alcohol rehab center can help them stop drinking for good. There they will be surrounded by substance use disorder professionals who can monitor them 24/7 and offer support as they go through detox. They will have the opportunity to learn a great deal about alcoholism and ways they can live life without drinking. They may see a counselor and be introduced to a 12 Step group such as Alcoholics Anonymous. Treatment facilities usually have clients stay with them about a month, preparing them for continued treatment once they return home.
Outpatient Alcohol Treatment
If you cannot pack up and head off to a treatment center, many rehabs have outpatient services where you can attend a certain amount of meetings per week. This is a great opportunity for those who can’t leave their home due to jobs or a family to take care of. Treatment can go on for several months or longer depending on the needs of the individual. You’ll have the opportunity to learn about the disease of alcoholism and how you can best manage it. You’ll learn better coping skills and relapse prevention skills, and maybe make a new friend or two while you’re there.
Now that you’re more familiar with the stages of alcoholism, you may have a better idea of where you may be or perhaps a loved one. Are you struggling with drinking more than you want? Do you recognize yourself in one of the stages of alcoholism? If so, do not delay in asking for help any longer. Know that freedom awaits you as you take this first step bravely. There are plenty of substance use disorder professionals who are ready and willing to answer your questions and direct you to your best avenue for recovery success.
