Jellinek Phases Alcoholism
Jellinek phases of
alcoholism. Jellinek
was
bio statistician 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 alcohol 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 let 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
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