What Are the Stages of Alcoholism?
Early “Adaptive” Stage This is when the liver and central nervous system adapt to alcohol, affecting the way alcohol is metabolized (taken into the system). • Physical tolerance begins: alcohol is metabolized more efficiently, and tissue changes allow the alcoholic to drink without becoming intoxicated. • Ability to function deteriorates quickly when the alcoholic stops drinking, and improves when the blood-alcohol level rises again due to resumed drinking. • Early withdrawal symptoms appear: anxiety, tremors, agitation, weakness, insomnia, loss of appetite, impaired memory, etc. “Physical Dependence” Stage Withdrawal symptoms are the first sign of physical dependence. There is increasing evidence that many alcoholics develop withdrawal symptoms early in their drinking career, before extensive drinking has occurred. One thing is for sure: it’s this dependence, and not any situational or psychological stress, which motivates the bulk of alcoholic drinking. Once withdrawal symptoms begin
