Alcoholics Recovery » Self Improvement

Student Interaction in Online Degrees

admin — Tue, 26 Oct 2010 18:33:45 +0000

The online degree will require that students have some sort of interaction in order to share experiences. It also makes it easier for the supervisor to have the students in one session so that the group can discuss a particular topic. Many courses will keep a record of these discussions because they are part of the coursework that will determine the qualification classification at the end of the session. The internet has many tools that can help students when they wish to learn in this way.

Arranging higher learning sessions for students

Some websites that offer an online degree will make arrangements for interactive software to be delivered to the students. This will mean that they are able to communicate with one another regardless of their geographical location. A student in Qatar will be able to share ideas with another colleague in Los Angeles. That is the power of the internet.� Students might also arrange their own informal methods of communication in order to achieve the benefits that they are looking for.

Some students that work with the Open University in the UK tend to communicate with one another through the phone. If both students are within the European Union then the costs are relatively manageable. However if the any of the participants is outside the EU, then the tariffs will be very high indeed. These are poor students that cannot afford to fritter away this sort of money. Therefore a long term solution might be found in email networks or social media. The learning institute encourages students to use the internet in their quest for an online degree.

Medication For Alcoholism and Recovery Treatment

admin — Thu, 18 Mar 2010 02:05:35 +0000

Alcoholism is a serious illness that affects numerous people in the United States daily. From the age of 21 the nation allows people to start consuming this drug legally. The people soon develop dependence for the alcohol and need it. Keep your chin up, because there is a lot of treatment and even medication for alcoholism. With the combination of these two tools you will be on the road to recovery from alcohol in no time.

There are two different types of medication for alcoholism. The first medication is a tranquilizer that is used to help calm the alcoholic which helps the withdrawals. Some examples are Valium and Librium. These are the two most commonly used types of these medications. The other type of medication is helped to keep the person sober preventing the addiction from occurring again. Naltrexone is a recently approved drug that is now used for this purpose. This lessens the desire to drink and in turn keeps the person away from needing alcoholic beverages. There is also an older form of medication that is used to keep a person away from consuming alcohol. This medication is disulfiram. Disulfiram will make a person have an unpleasant reaction when they consume alcohol. Vomiting and nausea are common affects of this drug.

Taking the medications will not keep a person from alcoholism alone. Counseling and seeking help from support groups will help you beat alcoholism. Self help books are available to purchase, and contacting a local pastor for help can also help. Trying to get away from the addiction on your own doesn’t usually work either. Tell your friends that you are trying to break the habit and you need their help. Ask them to keep you away from alcoholic beverages whenever they are around you. Don’t go out to the bar as a hang out place. Temptation is too strong there and you will most likely give in. Stay at places that are alcohol free to help you resist the urge to drink.

When you are trying to quit drinking you should first set up your priorities and goals. Write them down and look at them everyday. If you stumble, don’t worry, because you can always get back up and start again. Get support in the right areas. You might have to change your friends temporarily to reach your goals. Find friends that will support you in your decision and want to help you better your life. Start out your journey to soberness by one day at a time. Begin with one day a week that has no alcoholic beverages allowed. Soon this day will become easy and you can move onto two days. Soon you’ll be at everyday not having the desire to drink. Avoid situations that involve drinking. Parties might need to be avoided momentarily to keep yourself from giving into the temptation.

Remember to never give up. When you are trying to do something there will be trials and tribulation. You just need to keep your eyes on the goal and you will over come. If you need medication for alcoholism to help you come out on top, so be it! There are tools, and groups, and people who love you that will help you be the person that you want to be. Never give up.

Alcoholic Spouse – What Happens When Only One Spouse Decides to Quit Drinking Alcohol?

admin — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 21:58:31 +0000

It is very bad luck for a child to be born into an alcoholic family that has one alcoholic parent. However, it is truly the worst luck to have two alcoholic parents.

As a psychiatrist that specializes in addiction, this is not an uncommon scenario. Not only are their children at twice the genetic risk of developing an alcohol problem, the chance of both alcoholic parents remaining clean and sober is not very high.

Here is a case from my psychiatric practice:

M.F. and S.V. met in college. At that time, every one around them was drinking and using drugs so that their drug and alcohol use did not stand out. However, they are both thirty years old now and have a son in 8th grade and a daughter in 4th grade. M.F. and his wife S.V. have continued drinking excessively with no significant periods of sobriety (except S.V. during her pregnancies).

M.F. is a successful entrepreneur and his wife is a stay at home mom. They go out with friends almost every night and basically use and abuse alcohol. M.F. decided to get a psychiatric evaluation because he feels depressed and anxious over his financial difficulties. His formerly successful business took a downturn during the tough economic times of the last several years.

I prescribed a medication to prevent alcohol withdrawal and explained that an antidepressant would not work for his depression if he continued his alcohol abuse. I explained that alcohol is a central nervous system depressant and actually causes depression.

He committed to staying clean and sober for 8 weeks, but would not agree to go to Alcoholics Anonymous meetings. He just wanted to try to quit drinking alcohol for several months to see if he could do it.

M.F.’s mood improved significantly after 4 weeks on an antidepressant medication. He had minimal cravings for alcohol (I put him on an anti craving medication as well). He was much more much effective at work and faced problems as they arose. He said he felt on top of his game.

However, his home life was stained. He no longer drank alcohol when he and his wife went out to dinner with friends. His alcoholic wife continued to get drunk right in front of him. Many times, he often left early without her or chose to stay at home with their children.

His alcoholic wife continued her alcoholic behavior. She drank nightly with friends and slept a good part of the day. On several occasions when he was out with her, he almost had an alcohol relapse. He felt angry and resentful watching her drink.

M.F. tells me he is very judgmental toward his alcoholic wife even though he has had a significant alcohol problem himself for so many years. Now that he is clean and sober, he realizes that his wife spends her time either abusing alcohol or suffering the effects of alcohol. She barely participates in the family other than getting their children to and from school. The children have essentially been raising themselves.

Conversely, his alcoholic wife complains to him that he is acting self- righteous about quitting drinking alcohol even though he has been clean and sober for such a short time. M.F. confides in me he is thinking about divorce unless his wife chooses to quit drinking alcohol.

This case illustrates the strain on an alcoholic family when either the alcoholic husband or alcoholic wife begins recovery before the other one follows suit. The spouse in alcoholic recovery quickly sees the tremendous impact of alcoholic behavior on the family and is no longer as tolerant or supportive of his/her addicted spouse.

In my 21 years of practice, the best scenario is for both alcoholic spouses to be recovery together. If one of the alcoholic spouses refuses to quit drinking alcohol or will not consider any alcohol treatment options the chance of the alcoholic family staying together is very slim. Families Anonymous is an excellent 12 step program to help alcoholic families.

Alcohol Treatment For Professionals

admin — Sun, 28 Feb 2010 04:01:06 +0000

The effects of alcohol have devastated the lives of many individuals and caused immense trauma to their families. Work pressures and domestic problems have resulted in an increase in alcoholism amongst professionals. Increased tension related to target achievement combined with huge pay packets have contributed to the same. Alcoholism can be treated both medically and psychologically. In the United States, drunk driving claims the lives of many professionals each year. Punishment and reprimanding the accused is not the only solution to the problem. Treatment for alcoholics is conducted at rehabilitation centers.

Alcohol rehabilitation has to be a commitment for a turn around. Very often professionals do stop drinking and remain sober after receiving psychological and emotional help. Others have long periods of sobriety followed by bouts of withdrawals. This occurs due to the consistent presence of tension at work or at home.

Alcohol rehabilitation is a multi-faceted, long-term process. It is a systematic approach to recovery from alcoholism. Alcoholism is dealt with in stages. Often professionals find it difficult to admit to the fact that they are suffering from a drinking problem. It is important to break the problem of self-denial, prior to treatment. Admittance to the problem is major step towards recovery.

Alcoholics must first undergo a detoxification program. This purifies and systematically removes the effects of alcohol from the body. Nutrition and exercise in this stage, helps the person get back into shape. Emotional reparation is vital in case of the alcohol rehabilitation that involves professionals. Additional tension is bound to cause a relapse. The rehabilitation is carried out at a center that uses a combination of clinical and therapeutic treatments. There are many organizations in the United States that help in the treatment of alcoholism. Professionals undergoing treatment need special attention, since they require additional emotional therapy.

Outpatient Alcohol Rehab

admin — Fri, 04 Dec 2009 11:59:08 +0000

Outpatient services for alcohol rehabilitation are designed to treat people who do not have a severe addiction to alcohol. They are also encouraged for alcoholics who have gone through an initial stage of inpatient treatment. Although this treatment is quite popular and there are many outpatient facilities throughout the country, there is little research on its effectiveness.

Outpatient treatments do not require overnight stays and usually include alcohol education, individual and group counselling, support for family members of the alcoholic and case management. The outpatient treatments programs can be intense, requiring an alcoholic to attend four to five hours a day – every day of the week. They can also be held in the evening to allow a person to continue working. In some cases, outpatient treatment consists of weekly therapy sessions.

Basically, there are three behavioral treatments used to treat alcoholism. They are motivation enhancement therapy, cognitive-behavioral therapy and 12-step facilitation.

There are places that you can go to find outpatient alcohol treatment programs in your area. The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s Center for Substance Abuse Treatment (CSAT) has a toll-free, 24-hour treatment referral service to help you. You can call 1-800-487-4889 for more information.

Other agencies include The American Council on Alcoholism. They have access to an online database to help search for outpatient rehab centers all over the US. They can be reached at 800-527-5344. There is also The National Drug and Alcohol Treatment Referral Routing Service that offers lots of resource information. You can reach them at 800-662-HELP.

Aside from traditional Alcoholics Anonymous programs that are available in all communities, alternative programs include The Secular Organizations for Sobriety (SOS). This group encourages self-empowerment approaches to recovery from alcohol but attracts those who are uncomfortable with the spiritual content of AA. SMART Recovery is a self-management and recovery training program that is based on the principles of cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT). Its four point program enhances motivations to Abstain, discusses ways to cope with urges, offers problem solving solutions, and helps an alcohol deal with lifestyle balances.

A Pill to Stop Alcohol Cravings

admin — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 12:09:22 +0000

If only the cravings for alcohol would go away, people trying to overcome the grip of alcoholism would stand a much better chance of fighting off the disease. Anybody who has had alcohol cravings knows what this is all about. It’s one thing to experience a little temptation, but it’s another to have an overwhelming, persistent urge and need for alcohol. There’s always a problem. First we want to take the edge off the troubles of the day, so we have a drink. Then we want to take the edge off the craving for alcohol.

Those who have participated in 12-Step recovery turn to their “higher power” for strength and support, trusting that the “higher power” will restore them to sanity. They decide turn their will and their lives over to the care of God, as they understand Him, to be a guiding light and source of comfort. This is accomplished through an ever-deepening, personal relationship. But this is America and we want relief NOW. There might be a pharmacological intervention.

The drug baclofen is a muscle relaxant, used to treat muscle symptoms caused by multiple sclerosis. The symptoms include spasms, stiffness and pain. Some of the side effects include impairment of thinking or reactions, so patients who need to be awake and alert need to be careful when using this drug. Patients who have used baclofen for a long time may experience serious withdrawal symptoms, such as seizures or hallucinations. The use of baclofen to help alcoholics with their cravings is relatively new, so there isn’t an abundance of clinical testing

I read an article on medscape.com, which discussed results of clinical testing for patients with advanced liver disease. The 2007 study cast baclofen in a favorable light for a medical intervention.

“In conclusion, our results suggest that baclofen, because of its anti-craving action and safety, could have an important role for treatment of alcohol-dependent patients with advanced liver disease,” the researchers, with first author Giovanni Addolorato, MD, from the Institute of Internal Medicine, Catholic University of Rome, in Italy, write. “We have shown that a pharmacological agent can promote alcohol abstinence and prevent alcohol relapse in individuals with alcoholic liver disease.”

Patients with acidosis, who cannot stop drinking and are faced with death if they fail to stop doing so, and any treatment can’t move forward as long as they are drinking. But this is a severe case. What about other patients with alcoholism, who are not in the latter stages of liver disease, or who are in one of the earlier stages of alcoholism?

Assuming that baclofen is safe and appropriate for treatment of alcohol cravings does it represent a one-stop cure for alcoholism? This introduces an interesting topic for discussion. Aside from physical dependence or alcohol cravings, what about other factors that contribute to one becoming an alcoholic, such as psychological makeup, environment or genetics? If I drink, for example, to numb the pain in my life, will taking away alcohol cravings help that pain to subside?

I can see baclofen as a piece of the solution puzzle, in limited cases. But I can’t help but get back to 12 Step, because it is incorporated into an interdisciplinary program, meaning that physical, emotional and spiritual issues are addressed. Pharmacological interventions do not sooth the human spirit, nor with baclofen heal broken relationships. I can see, however, how this drug intervention, in theory, can save the lives of patients in the cases discussed in the study. I would caution against looking to a pill as a “cure.”

The anti-12 Step crowd will herald any drug intervention as being a positive alternative to 12 Step, mainly because 12 Step takes time and is far more difficult than taking a pill. Baclofen does not require honesty, openness and willingness, nor does it necessitate self-examination. Perhaps baclofen can stop the alcohol cravings, or be used as a tool to help a person regain control of his/her life, and help bring about a return to health. I have no issue with this. But if the whole person is not treated, then the hole in the spirit that is filled with alcohol, or some other destructive force, is still there.

Alcohol and Drug Rehab: Triggers, Cravings, Relapse and Recovery

admin — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 20:33:47 +0000

It has taken some time but, researchers have come to the conclusion that drug addiction and alcoholism are diseases and like other diseases, are chronic and those afflicted are subject to relapse. From a medical perspective, addiction can be compared to diabetes in that it will require long term treatment, lifestyle changes, medication at times and if not monitored, relapse will occur.

Experts with The National Institute of Drug Abuse feel it is not reasonable to expect a recovering addict or alcoholic to maintain lifelong abstinence with just one treatment or rehab experience. Furthermore, Dr. George Koob, a professor with the Scripps Research Institute agrees. His research has shown that approximately 80 percent of the addicts and alcoholics who experience detox return to drug or alcohol use within a year.

Discovering why addicts and alcoholics are so prone to relapse is an area of great concern to all of us. One aspect we identified is that of craving. Craving is the incredible desire an addict or alcoholic still feels for the substance days, months or even years into recovery. Research has shown us that the cravings that the addict or alcoholic experience could be directly related to the long term changes in brain function, due to the drug and alcohol abuse. In essence, the brain has become conditioned to function under the influence of drugs or alcohol and does not function efficiently without it.

Secondly, it has been established that cravings can be a conditioned response to triggers that the recovering addict or alcoholic may encounter, for example old people, places or things associated with the person’s prior drug or alcohol use. Relapse triggers, as they are termed, can create powerful emotional and sometimes physical responses that can lead up to incredible urges to use drugs and alcohol again. It is for this reason individuals early in sobriety are urged to change so many aspects of their life. With all of this said, it is clear that a person’s relapse is usually preceded by other difficulties which result in the addict or alcoholic feeling angry, lonely, depressed or in self pity.

The issue with relapse that is infinitely grave is not necessarily the fact that the addict or alcoholic has used or drank again, but the quantity and frequency with which they use is almost identical to right before they began their recovery. Very few, ease their way back into their drug or alcohol use. They begin as if they never stopped.

An experiment performed by Dr. Koob demonstrated that when alcohol was removed from alcoholic or addicted rats for three or four days and then returned, the rats consumed 50 percent more drugs or alcohol as they consumed before. As common as this behavior is among the people that relapse, it is one of the most misunderstood.

There is good news and that is if a relapse is caught early, it can prove to be a very valuable educational tool. The recovering addict or alcoholic might then practice the principles taught to them in their alcohol and drug rehab program with more willingness and motivation than ever before.

It appears that for those people that are able to maintain long term recovery from drug addiction and alcoholism the solution is much greater than just abstaining from drugs and alcohol. The other part of the equation lies in being able to identify cravings, wait out the feelings and become aware of what actually triggered them. Through becoming aware of what triggers the craving, the recovering person can make effective changes in their “life style” which can result in fewer urges to drink or drug. Finally, there are a number of well-known alcohol and drug rehab support groups that provide much needed support to help addicts (and their families) cope with the long term issues associated with drug addiction and alcoholism.

Alcoholism Recovery

admin — Fri, 11 Sep 2009 17:04:44 +0000

The most important path to the success of alcoholism recovery is the recognition and willingness of an individual that the problem of alcoholism exists. Alcoholism is generally treated under the supervision of trained professionals. Alcoholism recovery would mean an individual moving from dependency of alcohol to a healthier and happy life without the urge to consume alcohol.

The treatments can be broadly classified in two ways, namely, conventional and drug treatments. Conventional treatment starts with detoxification or the withdrawal of alcohol with the help of a physician. The person is treated with carefully measured medication. It may be done on outpatient basis, or be hospital based or be done in a rehabilitation center depending on the severity of the withdrawal symptoms. Once the patient is sober and the alcohol level in the blood is reduced, the treatment then aims to help people develop skills of no drinking and to modify their negative lifestyles. These could be day treatment programs, short term, or long-term residential programs. The skills that are imparted in these programs include education on alcoholism and recovery, identifying and managing the craving to drink alcohol and its relapse and learning to deal with emotions such as anger and depression without consumption of alcohol. These kinds of changing lifestyle patterns and improved health care habits and behavior lead to a happier and more productive life. Various therapies like group interactions, family or couple therapy, behavioral therapy and the like are given to the patients in order to identify and overcome the problems that lead them to alcohol. All this helps the person to change in positive directions and develop a clean and sober lifestyle.

Drug treatment is the inducement of approved drugs to an alcoholic for discouraging alcohol consumption. Drugs like Antabuse (disulfiram), cause unpleasant effects and sickness if alcohol is consumed while one is taking this drug. Medicines such as ReVia (naltrexone) and acamprosate act on the brain and help reduce the craving for alcohol intake. Though treatment helps a person to fight alcoholism, complete recovery is entirely based on the willingness of a person to stop the consumption of alcohol.

You Don’t Find All Drunks in the Gutter: The Story of a Functional Alcoholic!

admin — Wed, 02 Sep 2009 03:07:05 +0000

Today, August 22, 2005, I am clean and sober for eight years which simply means today I am still an alcoholic and on this day I will choose not to pick up a drink. If you look at me today and compared my appearance to eight years ago you probably would not notice much difference (with the exception of a few more wrinkles). Back then I had a pretty high-powered job with a good salary and was working towards my master’s degree. Today I work as an administrator for a church and I am developing a life and leadership coaching practice. I am not attending school I am teaching at a local college as an adjunct professor. My life is probably just as hectic now as it was eight years ago. So the question is besides not picking up a drink what is the difference between then and now?

First, it is only through a graceful and loving God, AA, meeting rooms in which other alcoholics openly shared their faith, strength and hope, and a sponsor who saw right through my charade that I can claim eight years of sobriety.

Second, back then I thought I had control of my life and now I realize I do not and everyday I try to remember that fact.

Finally, I have come to learn the difference between change and transition and that has and continues to bring a new perspective to my life.

When I first started to attend AA meetings I remember thinking that the stories these people were telling about their lives aren’t even close to the life I live. I only drink a little and I am very careful to monitor it so I can maintain my image in the community and the church I attend. These men and women are talking about horror stories in which they lost their jobs, families, savings and literally their self-respect. I would question my sponsor about the possibility that maybe I really wasn’t a drunk. Maybe it is just in my head, that perhaps I could drink. He would just laugh and say the mere fact that you have to think about is evidence enough.

My sponsor used to ride in a Hell’s Angels motorcycle gang. He was one tough dude and probably the complete opposite of me or at least that is what I thought. I actually remember when I began looking for a sponsor God kept putting this man in front of me and I kept asking God to get him out of my way so I could find a sponsor like me. It is odd how I was looking at the outside appearance and God was looking at what was going on inside. I was working from my head (a dangerous place to be for an alcoholic) and God was working from my heart. As it turns out I was just like my sponsor and my sponsor was just like me, at least where it counts, in our hearts and souls.

For the most part of my life I really believed I was in control. Actually I suffered from an anxiety disorder and panic attacks so the only way I could live my life was to be in control, or at least I thought I was in control. Actually my behavior was more obsessive – compulsive than orderly. My daughters used to twist the phone cord when they got home from school just so the could watch me faithfully go to the phone each day I got home from work and untangle it. I would vacuum the rugs and then not allow anyone to walk on them. I would comb the little fringes on the ends of the rug. My drinking was just as tidy. I would only drink at certain times and at certain places. Even though most weeknights I would only have one drink or think one drink is all I needed. If the liquor bottle would be only three quarters full I would get another one just in case I decided to drink more and maybe run out. If I was going out somewhere to eat, to a party, trips for work, or vacations I could not wait for the moment when I could justify having that first drink.

As a functional alcoholic it wasn’t so much about how much I drank, I would do my best to control when I would take a drink or how much I thought I could safely drink and not get tagged as a drunk. Having an anxiety disorder that centered on low self-esteem and the fact I did not believe I was good enough as a person really helped to maintain my control. The issue with me was the fantasy or the delaying of that first drink. If I were traveling I would be thinking about when I got there and could have that first drink. If I were on a business trip my thoughts would be with once the business was conducted how great it will be to have that first drink in the bar. Many years ago I used to play softball and it got to the point I could not wait for the game to be over so I could go to the bar with the guys to drink. The issue was not just taking the drink but just as importantly, the permission to take the drink, albeit I set the rules in most cases. Unfortunately right before I went into AA I was giving myself more and more permission.

I was giving myself more permission because I was dealing with some changes in my life. Two months before I went into AA my mother passed away. My relationship with my father really was more strained then ever after my mother died. My wife had become ill and she began a month long stay in a hospital and as I had mentioned I was working towards my master’s degree. Spiritually I felt dead even though I was faithfully attending church and teaching Sunday school as though nothing was wrong. That is the point; it was becoming tougher and tougher to keep putting up a front or pretending the world was a great place, only to go home and feel so depressed and sad about life that I wish I could just run away and hide.

So what did I learn in AA? Although today I am intellectually describing the process it is obviously the heart wrenching desire for sobriety and the feeling that you have no other place to turn that is at the core of recovery. For me recovery is about understanding the difference between change and transition. We say we want to change our lives and often we do just that. Perhaps we take a new job, a new spouse, a new place to live, a new car, or we want to change our drinking habits. William Bridges in his book, “Transitions” says, “Our society confuses them (change and transition) constantly, leading us to imagine that transition is just another word for change…In other words, change is situational. Transition, on the other hand is psychological. It is not those events, but rather the inner re – orientation and self – redefinition that you have to go through in order to incorporate any of those changes into your life.” If you want to change your habit of drinking alcohol the solution is simple just don’t pick up a drink. If you want to get into recovery from alcoholism than as the saying goes you have to deal with the “ism” part. That means a life transition and now we are talking about a change of heart not a change of thought.

Eight years into recovery I don’t believe a day goes by that my head doesn’t try to tell me it is OK to have a drink, you probably weren’t an alcoholic anyway, it is not like they found you lying in the gutter. There isn’t a time when I am going to a party or getting ready for a vacation that I don’t think what is the fun of going if I can’t drink. But then there isn’t a day that I wake up that I don’t thank God for allowing me to be sober for just one more day. My father died just three years after my mother. I was a year into my recovery when I realized the problem I was having with him was not about him at all it was about me. When I looked at my dad I saw me and that is what got me so angry. That awareness gave me the two best years of my life with my dad. Now each day I see myself becoming more and more like my dad and I could not be more proud of that fact.

Years ago when the USA was seconds away from defeating the then USSR hockey team in the Olympics the announcer shouted, “Do you believe in miracles?” If you can find someone in recovery they will tell you all about their miracle. Remember God creates miracles and God resides in your heart, not your head. I believe in miracles, I am one!

By Robert Wummer

[http://www.IntersectionsCoaching.com]

Alcoholism Stages

admin — Sat, 01 Aug 2009 09:44:50 +0000

An individual passes through several phases prior to the last stage of addiction or dependence. The four stages of alcoholism are pre-alcoholic, prodomal, crucial and chronic. The first or the pre-alcoholic stage is the use of alcohol without any negative consequences. There is no preoccupation with drinking and the drinker has control over the amount of alcohol consumed and rarely drinks to the point of intoxication.

The second stage of alcoholism also known as the early stage or prodomal stage is associated with the misuse of alcohol. The drinker identifies alcohol as a coping device to relieve tensions and problems. Friends and family around the person may not recognize that they are in the early stages of alcoholism but may express concern about the increased consumption of alcohol by the person. With time, the tolerance levels increase, this means that the drinker requires an increased quantity of alcohol every time in order to get the desired effect or feeling. In this stage, the body adapts to the increased level of alcohol and a person performs better with the drinking as the blood alcohol level rises.

With the increase in the consumption of alcohol to the point that an individual becomes unmanageable and has no control over the intake of alcohol, the person is said to have entered the middle stage of alcoholism also known as the crucial stage. In this stage, a person drinks in order to erase the feeling of anger and social discomfort. Drinking in the morning, loss of appetite, avoidance of any social circle, tremors and loss of willpower are all the symptoms that suggest that an individual is in the middle stage of alcoholism.

The last or chronic stage is when medical complications start along with the complete loss of control over one’s life. Liver cirrhosis, high blood pressure, inflammation of the pancreas, depression, insomnia, nerve dysfunction and hypertension can occur during this stage. These are serious withdrawal symptoms. If unattended or unchecked it can sometimes lead to insanity or even death. Hence, the earlier the problem of alcoholism is identified; more are the chances of a patient’s recovery.