Alcoholism Stage 1: Abstinence
If a person has perceptions and attitudes consistent with those that addicts typically exhibit, alcohol addiction can literally begin before the drinking commences.
Alcoholism Stage 2: Initial Use
Stage two can include the experimental usage of alcohol, irregular usage, or occasional binge alcohol consumption (i.e., once or twice a year). Initial usage of alcohol may not be a problem for the user or those persons who are close to the user. Occasional drinking may create troubles while the user is drunk or the next day, he or she hasn't got to the stage of addiction.
Alcoholism Stage 3: Significant Risk Use
Significant risk describes an abundance of alcohol consumption, and poor choices made when under the influence. At this stage, the pattern and frequency of alcohol abuse is high enough to be hazardous for the drinker and people around them.
Alcoholism Stage 4: Problematic Use
Problematic use of alcohol occurs when the adverse consequences of alcohol consumption becomes obvious. Physical health concerns become issues, including damaged liver function and/or STDs (sexual transmitted diseases). DUI (driving drunk) charges may well occur, and/or other legal issues relating to drinking to excess and making poor decisions. Friends and family recognize there is a problem.
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Alcoholism Stage 5: Early Stage of Dependence
The early stage of alcohol dependence is characterized by obvious issues. The user begins to skip work, starts arguments with members of the family and good friends while drunk. The alcoholic will elect to drink despite adverse consequences. At this point, alcohol rehabilitation is most effective.
Alcoholism Stage 6: Middle Stage of Dependency
During the middle stage of alcoholism, adverse consequences begin to intensify. The user loses his or her job due to too many missed days at work.
Alcoholism Stage 7: Crisis Stage of Dependency
At this crisis point, everybody takes note of the effects of alcohol addiction, including the alcoholic. Serious health concerns become issues. The alcoholic is seldom without a drink, but the user believes he or she is fooling everyone. If they do not enter alcohol rehabilitation, this stage frequently results in alcohol-related deaths for the users.
Stage two can include things like the experimental use of alcohol, irregular use, or irregular binge drinking (i.e., once or twice a year). Initial usage of alcohol may not yet be a problem for the user or those people who are close to the user. Problematic use of alcohol happens when the harmful consequences of alcohol consumption becomes observable. The early stage of alcohol addiction is characterized by noticeable problems. At this point, alcohol rehab is most effective.
http://allpsych.com/journal/alcoholism/ 
