One of the issues you might experience if you’re drinking heavily is the stages of alcoholism. At Bayview Recovery, we understand that it’s important to be healthy and happy and that an addiction to alcohol doesn’t really fit into that life. But when you focus on the things that matter to you and get the right help, you can have a better, brighter future you can feel good about daily. That’s a great way to get the support you need and begin planning for a future where you can live in recovery and not let alcohol addiction have any more control over your life. Contact Bayview Recovery at 855.478.3650 to learn more about the options for alcohol addiction treatment.

Understanding the Stages of Alcoholism

The first stage of alcoholism is binge drinking and occasional alcohol use. This stage marks a time of experimentation with different kinds of alcohol and a testing of limits. It’s common with teens and young adults, who may go to gatherings where drinking is the main activity.

The second stage is an increase in how often a person is drinking. Instead of only at parties, it might become every weekend. People in this stage might also drink when they’re bored, or as a stress reliever. They could also use going out with friends as an excuse to drink, and drink if they’re feeling lonely or sad, too. Moderate drinkers often pair a drink with a meal, but someone who’s in the second stage of alcoholism will have an emotional attachment to drinking or look for ways to use it to feel good.

In the third stage of alcoholism, the person will find that they start to see the impacts of the habit they’ve developed. They can feel sick, anxious, or suffer from depression when they don’t use alcohol. Additionally, there can be legal issues such as drinking and driving. Jobs and relationships could also be in jeopardy because of drinking, and behaviors can become erratic.

The fourth stage means that an attachment to alcohol has been formed, and the person is dependent on drinking. They need to drink more and more to feel the effects of it, and there’s more damage being done to the body, too. When a person in this stage stops drinking, they’re going to have some withdrawal symptoms such as nausea or sweating.

By the time they get to the fifth and final stage in the stages of alcoholism, the person is truly addicted. They aren’t drinking for pleasure, but because they’ve developed a psychological need for alcohol.

Getting Proper Treatment Means a Healthier Future

Moving through the stages of alcoholism can eventually lead you to trouble with cognitive skills and fine motor skills. You may also be at risk of serious complications if you simply stop drinking. That can mean that you need to detox in a medical setting because you might not be able to detox safely alone. The stages of alcoholism are important to understand, but what matters most is that you get help for your addiction. It’s time to break free from the stages of alcoholism and start living the healthy, happy life you were meant to have.

Get Help for Alcoholism Today at Bayview Recovery

You deserve a future free from addiction issues. Reach out and seek help now to start overcoming your addictions and regain control of your life. Our therapeutic treatment options include:

• Cognitive-behavioral therapy
• Dialectical behavior therapy
• Group therapy
• Individual therapy
• Trauma therapy

Contact us at 855.478.3650 today, and we’ll help you on the road to addiction recovery. Whether you’re seeking help for yourself or a loved one, we’re committed to helping you every step of the way.