Drinking to get high, drinking more frequently, drinking a greater quantity than 5 years ago, is hardly noticed. The same amount of alcohol no longer has the same effect. Eventually, when not drinking, one no longer feels normal. It overlaps the other stages and grows slowly. He may be able to keep up a front, and other people may think he has it together, though his life revolves around getting to the next drink.
Alcoholism is a progressive and fatal disease.
It always continues to get worse. Remember, alcoholics can and do recover. You can never return to social drinking, or to a stage you were at before. Use of a support group, such as AA is extremely important if one is serious about not drinking. At best, it might relieve your urge to drink in just 5 or 10 minutes.