The disease of alcoholism generally follows a three-stage pattern, the first being a period of adaptability to larger amounts of liquor consumption with limited social or physical effects. Someone may appear to be a social drinker who can "hold his own," and is able to drink more than other people, but he is still capable of holding down a job and other responsibilities. Second-stage alcoholics begin to show signs of social deterioration. Trouble at home or at work due to alcohol begin to be more commonplace. The problem drinker is not always able to hide the amount she is drinking at this point and there will be periods, such as blackouts, where the alcoholic is losing the ability to control her drinking. The third stage shows serious effects from alcoholism. Health problems, loss of employment, divorce, problems with the law, accidents and homelessness are all consequences of late-stage alcoholism.