Jellinek Phases Alcoholism

Jellinek phases of alcoholism. Jellinek was biostatistician and one of the first to talk about alcoholism as a progressive disease.

He described the following four. 

In the Prealcoholic, the first sequence of events, the person's use of alcohlol is socially motivated. Very soon, however, the person will

learn that alcohol lessens emotional distress. It will become the standard means that is used to relieve this distress. The person will look

for socializing opportunities that have alcohol at them. Tolerance to alcohol will begin to develop. This can go on for a couple of years. 

At some point "blackouts" will develop. The person will have entered the Prodormal part of alcoholism. They may begin to sneak

drinks, or get themselves "primed" (have a few drinks before the party) for socializing. They will probably begin to feel guilt at their

behaviour. 

In the Crucial part of the sequence a person has lost control. Taking a drink starts an unstoppable need for more. The person can still

control when they drink, just not how much they will drink once they get started. The person will feel lots of guilt and remorse.

Relationships with family and friends deteriorate. Morning drinking to deal with pain and suffering of guilt and hangovers is likely

happen. ( I know all about this. I'm a poster child for it.) 

In the Chronic part of the sequence alcohol consumption is daily, it's also all day long. It's unlikely they can maintain a job. They will

drink with all manner of people not normally in their peer group. The previous tolerance to alcohol is gone. Lost to cellular damage and

organs malfunctioning. Due to desperation the person is often open to treatment at this stage but, may not stop drinking. They don't

know what else to do, they can't even imagine doing anything else.

Raging Alcoholic