What Are The Stages of Alcoholism?

Morton Jellinek was a scientist whose research helped form a better understanding of alcohol addiction today. In 1946 he published a paper on the progressive nature of alcoholism based on a small study of members of Alcoholics Anonymous. He proposed the idea that problem drinking follows a common trajectory through various stages of decline.

Throughout the following years, Jellinek conducted another study on a wider sample size which led to another piece. He published a follow-up paper in 1952, “Phases of Alcohol Addiction,” that built upon his original ideas. He outlined the unique stages of drinkers categorized by their drinking behaviors.

Jellinek looked at the way alcoholics started in the pre-alcoholic stage, drinking in a casual, social manner. They drink socially with friends or while out for dinner. As they continue drinking, though, they move from a point where their reasons for drinking are no longer social but psychological. Whether they realize it or not, they’re beginning to lose control of their drinking. If they do not stop drinking, they continue progressing to the point of alcohol dependence and then finally to the point of chronic alcohol use.

Jellinek’s studies and publications eventually led to the formation of the Jellinek Curve. It illustrates the symptoms seen during a person’s progression through the stages of alcoholism. The four main stages include:

• Pre-Alcoholic Stage
• Early-Stage Alcoholism
• Middle Alcoholic Phase
• End-Stage Alcoholism

His contributions helped frame the way the medical community understands alcohol addiction to this day. Continue reading to learn more about the four stages of alcoholism.

The pre-alcoholic stage occurs before alcohol is ever a real problem. It’s difficult to identify because alcohol has yet to cause any problems and drinking has not become compulsive. Even those in the pre-alcoholic stage are unlikely to recognize that their drinking may eventually progress into something serious.

The pre-alcoholic stage is a formative stage; people go in one of two directions. Those who begin using alcohol as a tool someone uses to unwind after a long day, bolster themselves in social situations, or help them fall asleep progress into the next stage of alcoholism. Those who find alternatives to drinking either stay in the pre-alcoholic stage or move away from drinking altogether.

Early-stage alcoholism, or the prodromal phase, is when people begin binge drinking regularly and may even black out occasionally. This behavior may be a sign of experimentation with alcohol gone too far, especially in the case of adolescents or young adults. If their drinking continues, though, and they keep drinking past a certain point, they’re showing signs of early-stage alcoholism.

Binge drinking is characterized by the consumption of around four drinks within two hours for women and five drinks within two hours for men. If this is a normal amount for your loved ones, it’s time for them to seriously reconsider their drinking habits. Enjoying the sensation of rapid onset drunkenness and drinking to seek inebriation as quickly as possible is dangerous and may indicate a deeper problem.

Individuals in this stage may not be drinking every day or even every week. However, they still use alcohol frequently and can’t imagine a “good night out” without it. They drink heavily under the guise of “having a good time with friends” or “relaxing after a long week at the office.” Regardless of their reasoning, though, regularly drinking to excess primes the mind and body for the development of a more serious problem with alcohol later on.

During this stage, your condition may become evident to friends and family, although some people can become highly adept at hiding problem drinking. One of the main issues with this disease is how easy it becomes to lie to yourself as well. If you’re in this phase, you’ll often downplay the amount you drink and find ways of explaining away the behavior. You may start to experience consequences at work or school due to your habit and find yourself regularly hungover and craving more alcohol.

Signs such as drinking at work, while looking after children or when driving are indicators of this stage. You’ve likely become more irritable, and alcohol may start to affect you differently. You’ll need to drink more to achieve the same effects you used to feel and often pass out from alcohol. Changes in your body such as facial redness, stomach bloating, shaking, sweating and memory lapses start to affect you.

In this phase, the effects of long-term alcohol abuse will start to become apparent. You might have tried and failed to stop or cut down drinking several times, too. Alcohol consumption becomes an all-day affair, and your priorities change to facilitate drinking as the most important aspect of your life. If you’ve lost your job or you’re in financial trouble, the sadness and worry associated with these life events could make the situation worse.

Paranoia is frequently seen during this phase. Some people — known as functioning alcoholics — can still maintain their life during this phase, but this is rare and likely to lead to liver damage or other alcohol-related illnesses. If you feel like your drinking problem is chronic but your life isn’t falling apart, don’t continue down this dangerous path. This disease is progressive, and your health will eventually bear the brunt.

End-stage alcoholism is the most serious point to reach. It’s evident when someone is at the end-stages of their alcohol addiction. They see severe impacts on their health, relationships, employment, finances, and overall satisfaction with life.

Someone who is at the point of end-stage alcoholism needs treatment as soon as possible. If they choose not to address their drinking problem, they’re likely to drink themselves into an alcohol-induced illness, such as cirrhosis or cancer.

The stages of alcoholism are a helpful tool to help determine the progression of alcoholism but they are by no means a rule. They outline the typical trajectory of alcoholism to reveal the steady decline from social to chronic alcohol use.

The Jellinek Curve doesn’t end there, though. It also includes the journey of alcohol addiction and into recovery. He outlines the ways people can recover from their problematic drinking behaviors. And you can shift from the downward spiral of alcoholism and toward the upward trajectory at any point.

There is no such thing as not being “alcoholic enough.” There is no reason to wait until you feel like your drinking is bad enough to warrant treatment. You can ask for help at any point, whenever you realize your drinking has gone too far.

Help is available for you no matter which stage of alcoholism you’ve reached. Thousands of people find a solution to their drinking through alcohol rehab each year. Alcohol addiction treatment teaches you more about the nature of your condition and provides you with the tools you need for long-term recovery.

If you can relate to the issues outlined above or know someone who falls into any of the four categories, medical treatment in a rehabilitation facility is the most effective path to long-term recovery. To find out how to get the help you need, speak to one of Peace Valley Recovery’s addiction specialists at 267-662-2462.