TEST YOURSELF: THE SYMPTOMS AND PHASES OF ALCOHOLISM (JELLINEK CHART MODIFIED)*
This chart was originally formulated by Dr. E.M. Jellinek, M.D. in 1952 for the Quarterly Journal Of Alcohol Studies. Dr. Jellinek's purpose was to illustrate the various phases of alcohol addiction or the successive stages a person passes through in becoming an alcoholic, although Jellinek believes that the chart is applicable to any form of drug addiction.
The CREEM Archive presents the magazine as originally created. Digital text has been scanned from its original print format and may contain formatting quirks and inconsistencies.
TEST YOURSELF: THE SYMPTOMS AND PHASES OF ALCOHOLISM (JELLINEK CHART MODIFIED)*
This chart was originally formulated by Dr. E.M. Jellinek, M.D. in 1952 for the Quarterly Journal Of Alcohol Studies. Dr. Jellinek's purpose was to illustrate the various phases of alcohol addiction or the successive stages a person passes through in becoming an alcoholic, although Jellinek believes that the chart is applicable to any form of drug addiction. In his own words, Jellinek believes that drug addiction "is physical, mental and spiritual," and by the time an addict reaches the end of the
late/chronic phase, he or she has three choices possible: recovery, insanity or death.
Printed below is a modified version of Jellinek's alcohol/drug chart. CREEM has added explanations to each stage to make the chart more comprehensible to today's readers.
The chart can be used as a "test" of sorts for the reader, i.e., by placing yourself in the various stages, you can determine whether you have a serious drug problem or not. If you fall anywhere beyond the early phase, seek help-
EARLY PHASE__
INCREASED TOLERANCE: Person can consume immense quantities.
FIRST BLACKOUT: Temporary or permanent amnesia. Don't remember things done while drinking or drugging.
SNEAKS DRINKS, AND OR DRUGS: Don't want anyone to know your consumption.
PREOCCUPIED WITH DRINKING AND DRUGGING: Constantly thinking of your next drug or drink.
SNEAKS DRUGS, GULPS DRINKS: To get a head start on others, attempts to finish faster than anyone else, hoping that no one really knows his total consumption.
AVOIDS REFERENCE: DEFIANT! Doesn't want to discuss his/her addiction.
FREQUENT BLACKOUTS: Happening more often, with less drugs or drinking involved, and consumed.
MIDDLE PHASE ACUTE ALCOHOL AND DRUG ADDICTION
ALIBIS: Lies to hide accurate amount addict can consume.
REPROOF: Disapproval and lack of concern about other's opinions.
EXTRAVAGANCE: Drugs and drinks are most important, before anything else you are responsible for.
AGGRESSION: Pick fights with loved ones, friends. Aggressive behavior.
REMORSE: Guilt feelings, towards yourself and others you have harmed.
WATER WAGON: Try to quit drugs and alcohol by yourself.
CHANGE LIFE PATTERNS: Move geographically, change job, switch your drug of choice for substitution.
SOCIAL DECAY: isolate yourself from family, friends, etc.
PROBLEMS ON JOB: Cali in sick, unable to function from the night or nights, before._
FAMILY CHANGES: Family feels disapproval, ashamed, and are trying to help.
LATE PHASE CHRONIC ALCOHOL AND DRUG ADDICTION
DECREASED TOLERANCE: Unable to consume as much intoxicants as previously able, results are same with less dosage.
ETHICAL DETERIORATION: Low self-esteem, morals deteriorate.
PARALOGIC THINKING: Confused thinking, short memory span.
DRUG ft ALCOHOLIC JEALOUSIES: Not enough drugs or alcohol to satisfy previous highs (euphoria stage).
INDEFINABLE FEARS: Paranoia about people, places, things, etc.
TREMORS AND SHAKES: Symptoms of withdraw), may result in seizure, convulsions, and/or death
PSYCHO-MOTOR INHIBITION: Brain deterioration (wet-brain). Loss of memory, more frequent blackouts.
RELIGIOUS NEED: Looking for substitution to replace drug and alcohol abuse, i.e., religion, self-help groups.
3 FINAL CHOICES: Recovery, Insanity, Death.
*lf you don't drink, substitute your drug.
