Mid-stage alcoholism becomes difficult for a person to hide from friends, family and employers. A person in this stage of dependence is compelled to drink just to maintain normal functioning. This often looks like having a drink when they first wake up, sneaking drinks in during the day (maybe during lunch or when driving from place to place), and drinking at night. If they don’t have a drink, cravings take over and withdrawal symptoms become apparent. The person doesn’t drink just to get drunk anymore, but because they brain and the body “need” alcohol. Many mid-stagers feel ashamed of their addiction, so they drink alone at home or they spend most of their time with other addicts. In both cases, family members and friends from before the addiction just don’t matter as much as they used to. …show more content…
If they don’t seek help of their own volition, they may find themselves in treatment anyway, due to legal problems associated with their drinking or a mandate from their employer. Contrary to popular belief, there is no distinct “rock bottom” stage where all alcoholics begin to see the error of their ways and decide to sober up. Some continue to drink even as problems mount, or because problems mount and they don’t know how to handle them. Some give up on trying to stop drinking because it can be hard and often takes several tries. Without a concerted and continuous effort to change, alcoholism continues to progress. Late