People drink alcohol for many different reasons — for fun, for its calming effect, or even for its ability to remove inhibitions and provide a high and ecstatic feeling. Whatever the reason is, alcohol drinking should always be done moderately because it is a substance that can be addicting and bad for your health. This is why people who get addicted to alcohol should be given attention so that they can deal with it before their alcoholism becomes destructive.
People with alcohol abuse problems are often in denial. They would never admit that they are addicted to the substance and would insist that they could stop whenever they want to. And so, you need to be mindful of the signs of alcohol addiction. Being vigilant will not be a very big problem as these symptoms are not that hard to miss.
There are different stages of alcoholism. These four stages of alcoholusm will help you to identify how grave the alcohol addiction is and up to what extent should the patient be treated.
Stage 1: High Tolerance for Alcohol
During the first stage of alcoholism, the person develops a higher tolerance for alcohol; meaning, he or she needs more amount of the substance before experiencing that elation. They no longer drink for the sake for social purposes; but rather, they drink at least a glass or two every single day. People who suffer from this abuse feel that they need this substance to keep them calm and to give them a kick start on their daily routine.
Stage 2: Increased Intake of Alcohol
The second stage of alcoholism involves the increase of alcohol intake. The one or two shots per day increases. Oftentimes, the alcoholic will start drinking early in the morning and will be drinking all throughout the day. He no longer drinks for the calming effect; but rather, because he starts becoming dependent on the substance.
Stage 3: The Need for Alcohol Becomes Uncontrollable
In the third stage of alcoholism, the need for alcohol becomes uncontrollable. Once the alcoholic starts drinking, there is no stopping him. He starts to withdraw from any social company and would rather live a life of reclusion because of his aggressive behavior when drinking. Even daily necessities like food or shower are forgotten as he is oftentimes out of himself.
Stage 4: Drinking Becomes Unstoppable, Alcoholic Is Rarely Sober
In the last stage of alcoholism, the drinking is very hard to stop once the alcoholic starts his first glass, and it often lasts for days. He experiences withdrawal symptoms, like hands trembling, if he doesn’t get a drink. He also starts developing hallucinations and is often in a state of delirium. He could no longer function and even interact with others as he is rarely sober.
A person suffering from alcoholism should be given medical help as early as the first stage. The further the addiction is, the harder it is to be treated. People who surround alcoholics should take drastic actions in order to prevent further damage to the person’s health. There are rehabilitation centers that offer great programs that are helpful in the recuperation of the alcoholic and help him return to his normal life.
I’m drinking up to a 15 pack of beer a day and a bottle of vodka and then some
I have an xhusband who is an alcoholic and that’s one of the reasons our marriage failed I’ve tried everything I can’t afford a treatment he doesn’t have insurance he’s drinks two to three 40pks a wk he’s kids don’t like him I don’t know what to do or where to turn
I grew up in a family where both parents are/ were severely addict to alcohol. In my parents case, both of them, there came point of no return. Not every addict can one day function without alcohol. Growing up was often an jungle (i say this all the respect to for my parents, no matter what i love them both, and the loved ). I saw my parents go in and out of hospital from an early age, and nobody did anything to help my sister and my self. My family all turned their backs at us, like we didn’t matter. One aunt, she tried the best she could, but with no help from others (schools, hospitals, other parents etc) she couldn’t do much about the situation. Alcoholism is so much more then the drinking and the addicts them self. I have seen and gone through so much while growing up, if i just try to tell people my story the look at me like, you are making this shit up. I left my parents house, aft my mom tried to kill me in an alcohol rage. Alcohol (or drugs) totally changes a person. I always say that i had to sets of parents. The sober ones, that weren’t there most of the time, and the addicts. I had a target on my back, when there was alcohol. After picking a fight with me (and back then i knew what to do, in fights like these. Sit back, keep my mouth shut a take it) she started to hit me, then choke me. The next day i had bruises in my neck, a clear hand print and nobody that backed me up. I made the decision that i needed to leave that environment for my own safety, although was told that, that was running way for MY problems (yes seriously). But then the whole situation worse. To make a long story short, after years of drinking things went horribly wrong at the end of 2012. My dad ended up in the hospital with alcohol related problems. He ended up at the ICU in a critical condition, I became is spokes person because my family was nowhere to be found. My mom started to binge drink and got in a alcohol induced psychosis, in those same weeks. So i was in hospital with my dad, trying to safe my mom. After weeks of fighting with detox programs, social workers etc, she was finally admitted to a detox centre. because if you want helpt, doesn’t mean you get help. These centers and social workers need see money in you, or else you are screwed. My mom became missing after running away from the detox centre, and when she was finally found they tried to place her, in my home. I had the horrible and traumatic task to tell my mom, and the so called people that wanted to help her no. My family has no idea how traumatizing that was, to know that your mom becomes homeless. Even when i am writing this, i feel the urge to cry, because i hurts so bad.
I am going to skip a couple fo years of fighting, rehab and other traumatizing things. In 2016 my dad died, after drinking from the age of 13. Luckily i had the chance to talk to my dad, and told me what decision i would take, it would be good. My family was no where to be found, and i had to make the choice to let my dad go through surgery knowing deep down that he didn’t wanted that. But not doing it would mean he would die within days. he survived surgery, my sister and myself saw him, the day after and that night he slipped in to a coma. I am sure he waited till he could say goodbye to us. That was on a thuisday night and he died that saturday night. And you can guess it, my family was nowhere. Some of them came to say goodbye to him but i doubt their motives.
Now my mom is pretty much in the same condition, she had two strokes beginning this year, but is see the same thing happening to her as to my dad.
The reason why i write this (and this is just a very very small of the everything that happened) is to let people who read this, know that an addiction is os much more then just the addition. It changes lives of many, and i personally feel that alcoholism is still i bit of a taboo. Alcohol is freely available and saying that somebody is addicted to is, is laughed at. I hope that just one person feels that they are not alone. Thank you for reading my story.
My son is an alcoholic and is also addicted to drugs. I have been begging the prosecutor in our town for the last 2.5 years to help me before he started getting in trouble with the law. And that was before I realized that his behaviour in school at home, and with his friends was because he is an addict. Last night my son was arrested for being drunk, he blew a .15. When they took him to jail, the policeman came to my home and said I needed to come and get him. I said keep him until he is sober. They wouldn’t because the prosecutor refused permission for them to transport him to a youth facility in another county, because it costs 200 per day. I am at a loss for words, actions, or how to help my son. When I asked the prosecutor years ago to help me because he was violent and out of control her response was that there was nothing she could do until he got arrested. He is 17, this is his 3rd arrest, and still nothing. I am the mother of 11 children, 10 grandchildren, my son and his twin both have issues, but the other one has managed to not get into trouble with the law so far. They are both verbally, mentally and physically abusive. I just don’t know where to turn.
The first thing i thought when i read this, was why did this person have ten children ? Perhaps a good deal is your fault – how much time did you have to spend with and raise your kids. Isn’t the world over populated already an there is not enough food to feed the world.
My husband is what I call a functional alcoholic. During the week he doesn’t drink until after work. On the weekends he is drinking by noon. We are in financial ruin because he demands a good portion of his paycheck for just himself, which between what is left & my paycheck, its all I can do to pay all our bills. He also admits he is an alcoholic, but doesn’t care, because he likes to drink. When I told him, that I was going to leave him & we would need to sell the house first, he laughed, told me he didn’t give a damn if I left, but I would not get a Penney from the sale. Whatever, I don’t care if I don’t, as if something doesn’t give, we will be losing it anyhow. I am 60 yrs old, he is 50. He used to take pride in how our yard & gardens looked, how our house looked inside & out, now he doesn’t care about any if it. He doesn’t care how it bothers me, he doesn’t care how his drinking affects me, he doesn’t care about anything but himself. Our sex life has been non existant for over 5 yrs. I just don’t know what to do anymore……..
I don’t know what I can do to help you, physically. The only thing I can share with u is my husband used to be just like u and he passed away on April 28, 2014! I found him on the toilet, with his pants down to his ankles, looking up into the sky. St first I thought he had fallen asleep on the toilet again as many times he’s done before. I asked him if he’s fallen asleep again, I got no answer, I turned the light on and saw his legs, it was people and white in a pattern I can’t describe, I thought at first he had drawn on himself. I shook him, trying to wake him up ands I kept repeating to myself “please God, NO, NO, NO, this isn’t real, this can’t be”, ands I called 911, I told them I think my husband is dead, they asked if I could do CPR on him, but I couldn’t because he was sitting up and the only way I could try wad to knock him over, off the toilet and try that way, but rigamortis had set in.
I ran around and followed the 911 operator’s instructions:
1. Unlock the door so police can get in.
2. Turn on the porch light.
3. If I had dogs, put them behind closed
doors, I told them I had 2 cats, told them I’ll
put them in another room.
First to arrive were the police, and I led them in to where Michael was, they asked me if I had family that I could call, I told them they all live in Missouri, they asked if his family lived near by or if i needed them to call his family for me. I told them he had his mother in AZ, and his father in MO. They(police) decided that it would have to be me to call his parents. I kept asking police why I want crying, they told me I was in shock, and I kept telling them over and over that I should be crying and i told them that was weird that I wasn’t crying, again they told me I was in severe shock.
I called his mother first and as soon as i said, “Michael’s dead, he’s gone!” Then I started crying uncontrollably and I couldn’t stop, I told her I needed to call his dad and that I would call her back.
I called his father’s business phone number, and he as always answered in a happy “hellooo” and I told him Michael was dead and he was shocked and stunned and I started to cry again, it took a little bit for him to gather his thoughts and I told him I would call him with more info later.
I was surrounded by detectives, I was in question since I was his wife, they had me gather any meds Michael used, apparently I didn’t understand they wanted EVERYTHING he ever took. They looked in my closet, I have allot of meds and medical supplies due to my diabetes, my autoimmune disease, high blood pressure, etc…They asked if I was diabetic after seeing my needles.
I think I called my boss(co-worker) and she came by and cried with me. My oldest son was on his way Missouri and my mom and step dad was on their way from Missouri and my oldest sister was on her way from Texas.
That’s not the end of it but I think you get the message, coming from the other end as the wife of an addict was horrible!
He could never hold down a job longer than 1 or 2 months, but he was so smart! Border line genius! He was an Electrical Engineer, he was certified HVAC tech, he could fix anything!!
He got jobs at the most prestigious companies such as Baker Hughes, Radio Shack, Flight Safety, M.E.M.C(formerly Monsanto).
I struggled working alone to maintain our household and my kids couldn’t live with me because he would pick fights with them and as my boys got older their fights became physically.
Please, please, do something, anything to get help, Michael did everything u did, he snorted meth, cocaine, smoked it, Ecstasy, drank 1 gallon of vodka every 2 days from morning to night and day in Facebook all day long, didn’t shower, hardly ever left the house except to get smoked and more vodka! He developed eczema all over his body and he had all kinds of sores on his legs, head, his penis, etc….He went from being this beautiful man to someone I didn’t recognize nor that I loved! He blamed me for everything, for what he turned into, he blamed me for not throwing away sour milk!
U can request my friendship on Facebook, my name is Sarah Harris in Broken Arrow, OK. And we can write to each other.
All the best!
Sarah can you contact me on facebook? My name is Wendy Akeman and I’m in Tulsa.
I’m disappointed. After seeing the show advertise at the end of each episode to come to this site if we know someone with a substance abuse problem to come here, I can’t find any link for help. I’m drunk, 20 to 30 beers a day. Haven’t been sober in over 20 years & I know I’m losing control, but I keep fucking up ’cause I need another drink. I want one! I’m writing because more & more I don’t just pass out & start again the next night. Instead, I wake up after a few hours & continue drinking through the morning & afternoon until I pass out again. Then I rush to at least ‘look’ as recovered from my alcohol abuse as possible to run out for another night’s supply of high gravity beer.
I could go on (way on into over a decade of cocaine abuse that ended years ago; but only after cocaine seizures, & the fact I burned a huge whole thru the cartilage in my nose so bad I couldn’t even snort heroin any more. With my asthma & already being a smoker, smoking coke or H wasn’t very effective. I almost puke every day when I brush my teeth because the hole in my nose is so bad I easily suck toothpaste down my throat thru my nose now. If I lean forward while eating food usually will come out of my nose; including a one inch piece of hotdog once…), oops, guess I already did. My last point was I don’t think you can keep up with all us abuser’s, just thought I’d take a shot..,
Last chance for hope: I used a lot of LSD & hallucinogens in my past as well. I really still have a positive view of them. I hear of work with something called Ibogane helping people with addiction.
That sounds like a dream come true to me. Especially because I hope it could balance my head (seratonin, dopamine…). I can’t find the therapy I think I need to help my mind heal from the trauma that stunted it’s development around my 2nd year of life… I’m trying but I’m getting worse.
I’ve been severely OCD, clinically depressed, ADHD for at least 25 years. And if 20 to 30 beers a day doesn’t alarm you, that’s a hell of a tolerance to alcohol considering I’ve been taking 37.5mg of Paxil ER for like 18 years (along with Ritilan LA 40mg which we switched to Metadate 40mg; also after years of Straterran18mg which we stopped; & had tried Adderol, Effexor & more drugs than I remembor…). Paxil fucks up your alcohol tolerance… I’m going to go now. I don’t think I’ll get any . help here….. Thx anyways; there are just too many people that are so fucked up to address.