Like many forms of substance abuse, alcoholism develops through stages. Which of the following stages is the most advanced and the most difficult to recover from?

a. abuse

b. addiction

c. dependence

The answer is dependence.

When you are already dependent on the substance, it becomes difficult to get away from it. Dependence would increase intake on substance. People who are dependent would find it difficult to function without it. If they are not able to get their fill, they would suffer withdrawals.