Stages of Alcoholism
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anonymous Asks ...
Are there exact stages of alcoholism? How do you know if you are in the early stages or the late stages or the middle stages?
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Jim LaPierre Says ...
Hi There and thanks for your question. The lines are generally not clear cut at all. Late stage alcoholism is marked by total dependence and significant damage to a person's health. The biggest problem with drawing these lines is that it essentially assumes a uniform type of alcoholism. In my experience, there are at least 100 forms of alcoholism and every single one of them do a great deal of damage.
The new DSM makes distinctions regarding levels of addiction an I vehemently oppose this - alcoholics and addicts are already seeking to minimize and rationalize how "bad" their status is. The last thing my field ought to have done is support them in doing this. I would say it's ever to early to stop drinking and there's no bad reason to get sober. Good luck!
