The first warning sign is heavy social drinking. Increasing physical and psychological dependence follows and is a step away from descent into a hell where only the next drink counts and can deliver relief. For alcoholics, all is secondary to the first drink of the day. Self-esteem and personal dignity evaporate and work performance suffers. The ride is downhill all the way.
Alcohol rules the day.
As with many physical additions, continued alcohol abuse destroys lives. It literally leads to death. For an alcoholic, self-rehabilitation is never easy. The physical and mental craving is intense. In addition, alcoholics must face themselves psychologically and there is no alcohol available to dull the pain of self-recognition.