This is the most common way to alcoholism. But some people can become alcoholics in a very short time simply by drinking a lot on a daily basis. They may first insist that they are only social drinkers and that they do not have a problem. They may hide bottles of beer or wine, or even mix some fruit juice with an alcoholic drink to disguise what they are doing. If they have a job, they may frequently lie to their boss that they were sick with a cold, when actually they were too drunk to go to work.
Alcoholics often deny that they have a problem.
Alcoholism affects almost every part of the body. Every drink of alcohol reduces the flow of oxygen to your brain and can kill thousands of brain cells. Brain cells are not replaced by the body. Over time, alcoholics can develop a problem thinking known as dementia. Dementia is common as we age.