The Five Types of Alcoholism

It focused on 1,484 NESARC respondents who met all diagnostic criteria for alcohol dependence and included people who were in treatment for their AUD as well as people who were not. In conclusion, understanding the different types of alcoholics is an important step in addressing the complex issue of alcoholism. Whether you or someone you know is struggling with alcoholism, there is hope and help available. With 5 types of alcoholics the right treatment and support, it is possible to overcome addiction and live a healthy, fulfilling life. If you have a family history of alcoholism and are concerned about your own drinking habits, it’s important to seek help from a healthcare professional or addiction specialist. They can provide guidance on how to reduce your risk and manage any underlying emotional issues that may contribute to addiction.

Getting Help for Alcoholism

• Lager beers are crisp and made with a special type of yeast called Saccharomyces pastorianus.
• Understanding what is considered an alcoholic, the different types of alcoholics, and how to identify alcoholism can help shed light on the diversity of this condition and provide insights into tailored treatment approaches.
• Compared to other types of alcoholics, young adults are less likely to have psychiatric disorders or legal problems.
• Their anxiety and depression may be obvious, and their moodiness and secretiveness impact spouses, children, and other loved ones who are puzzled by their inconsistent behavior.

The young adult subtype is less likely to have a full-time job but is more likely to be in college than other groups. This subtype drinks less frequently than others but is very likely to engage in binge drinking when they do. While it is very unlikely that a member of this group will seek out treatment, they are most likely to seek out a 12-step program if they do. Person-centered treatment helps provide treatment modalities that are most suited to the individual.

Living with a Functioning Alcoholic

• They have the highest rates of attendance at self-help groups, detoxification programs and specialized rehabilitation programs, and the highest rates of treatment in inpatient programs.
• According to this CDC report, underage drinkers between the ages of 12 and 20 consume more alcohol at one time, and 90% of them binge drink.
• AddictionResource fact-checks all the information before publishing and uses only credible and trusted sources when citing any medical data.
• Intermediate familial alcoholics are more likely to be male and have a job.

While there are many factors that contribute to the development of AUD – including genetics, environment, and mental health – seeking help is crucial for recovery. Treatment options include therapy, medication-assisted treatment (MAT), support groups such as Alcoholics Anonymous (AA), and in some cases hospitalization for detoxification. This subtype is the second largest form of alcoholic making up 21.1% of the total. This subtype is also mostly male (over 75%) and has often been addicted to alcohol since being as young as 18. They also frequently suffer from other forms of mental illness (OCD, bipolar disorder, depression) or other substance abuse disorders.

The Telltale Signs of High-Functioning Alcoholism

By using more neutral or clinical terminology, like “alcohol use disorder” and “individuals managing alcohol use disorder,” it becomes easier for people to acknowledge their issues and seek treatment without feeling labeled or judged. More than 50 percent of young antisocial alcoholics have a psychiatric diagnosis of antisocial personality disorder, a mental condition characterized by antagonism and a callous disregard of others and the law. Many also suffer from other mental illnesses, including major depression, bipolar disorder, social phobias and obsessive-compulsive personality disorder. About 31% of functional alcoholics have a close family member who also has alcohol dependence.

What are the Five Types of Alcoholism?

Family incomes average around $32,000, the lowest among the subtypes alongside the chronic severe subtype. The good news is they’re more likely to seek treatment than those in other groups at 66%. They are also the most likely to participate in detox programs at inpatient treatment centers with private health care providers. While functional alcoholics may not binge drink, they do drink more alcohol than the average person.

Functional Alcoholics

They drink approximately 201 days out of each year and usually consume five or more drinks per sitting. Other studies compared alcoholics with and without coexistent psychopathologies. In questioning the value of “compulsory restraint in a retreat for long periods,” Wingfield (1919, p. 42) proposed specific treatments for different types of alcoholics. For pseudodipsomaniacs and true dipsomaniacs, he recommended administering small doses of apomorphine https://ecosoberhouse.com/ to provide temporary relief of craving and morphia to treat intense depression. Chronic alcoholics should first be given diminishing doses of alcohol to reduce the risk of delirium tremens before being treated with drugs and “suggestion.” The drug of choice was atropine, given in conjunction with strychnine. Suggestion, especially under light hypnosis, was designed to “lessen the risk of relapse long after treatment is ended” (p. 68).

In the U.S., the young adult alcoholic subtype comprises 31.5% of all alcoholics. This demographic’s average age is 24, with most being male, single, still in school, and with family histories of alcoholism. A study by scientists at the NIAAA, part of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), analyzed 1,484 survey respondents who met specific diagnostic criteria for alcohol addiction. By having a better understanding of what type of alcoholic you may be, it can be easier to recognize that you would benefit from an alcohol addiction treatment program. Treatment providers can help you to determine what form of treatment will be optimal for your specific needs and circumstances.

Alcohol Abuse

Studies have found that individuals with a family history of alcoholism are at a higher risk for developing the disease themselves. Typically between the ages of 18 and 25, they may have begun drinking in their early teens. Sadly, what begins as social drinking can quickly escalate to heavy drinking, often on weekends, and may lead to binge drinking. The effects of this type of drinking can be devastating, not just on the individual but also on their family and friends.

Roughly 1500 respondents from different parts of the country who meet the medical criteria for a diagnosis of Alcohol Use Disorder were included—both receiving and not receiving treatment. But if they continue down this path without seeking professional help, their performance and health will gradually deteriorate as profound alcohol dependence develops. According to research sponsored by the National Council on Alcohol and Drug Dependence (NCADD), approximately 14 million American adults—or one out of every 13—suffer from an alcohol use disorder. Alcoholism can also contribute to social isolation and relationship problems, which can further exacerbate depression and anxiety. Individuals who struggle with alcohol addiction may withdraw from social activities or neglect important relationships due to their drinking habits.

• One of the ways that alcoholism affects mental health is by disrupting sleep patterns.
• About 31% of functional alcoholics have a close family member who also has alcohol dependence.
• The second is calorie content; alcohol is not an ideal source of calories and can contribute to weight gain if consumed excessively.
• They typically come from families with low rates of alcoholism and they are unlikely to suffer from co-occurring mental health conditions.