Types of Alcoholics: The 5 Subtypes of Alcohol Addiction You Should Know

An alcohol use disorder (AUD) is characterized by the chronic, compulsive use of alcohol despite the negative consequences on a person’s life. Alcohol is one of the most widely used addictive substances in the U.S., with 84% of adults aged 18 and older having tried it in their lifetimes. Nearly 19 percent of alcoholics in the U.S. fall into the intermediate familial category. Most are middle-aged, began drinking at about 17 and were addicted to alcohol by their early 30s. Because their alcohol addiction has fewer obvious negative consequences, an important aspect of dealing with an alcoholic is getting them to recognize that they have a problem. In addition, Moss said it is crucial for functional alcoholics to focus on abstinence or return to less dangerous drinking levels.

Diagnostic and Treatment

Alpha alcoholics look to alcohol to soothe themselves when they are feeling sad, stressed or pressured, to the point that they become psychologically dependent on alcohol for relief. However, alpha alcoholics are able to control the amount of alcohol they take and have no problem rejecting alcohol. One way to take action is to regularly have informal talks about your loved one’s drinking. Discuss your family member’s alcohol use openly and bring up the idea of treatment. Support groups provide social support, encouragement, and accountability which can be beneficial during recovery. People in recovery from AUD who share their experiences, coping skills, and strategies typically facilitate these groups.

Top Self-Care Activities for a Healthier Recovery Journey

The intermediate familial subtype is 64% male and almost as active and successful as the functional subtype. These individuals usually have an immediate family member who has/had an alcohol use disorder, hence the labeling of their type of alcoholism. Out of all types of alcoholics, the intermediate familial subtype is the most employed, however, it usually does not make more than the functional subtype. Making up more than 31% of all alcoholics, the young adult subtype is by far the most common type of alcoholic in the United States. The average age of the young adult subtype is 25, with many in the category developing a dependence to alcohol by the age of 20. A large portion of individuals in this category of alcoholics become alcoholics during their college years, where alcohol is deeply ingrained into the college experience.

Understanding The Terminology

While approximately 15 million American adults suffer from alcohol use disorder, fewer than 1 in 10 typically seek treatment for addiction. Five types of alcoholics exist, and the type can influence whether or not people choose to seek Drug rehabilitation treatment for their addiction. It also can determine whether a certain type of treatment will be more effective than another. The primary causes of AUD in this subtype are multifaceted, involving a combination of genetic predisposition and environmental factors. Compared to other subtypes, functional alcoholics exhibit lower rates of co-occurring substance use disorders and legal issues. They have moderate rates of smoking but lower incidences of other drug dependencies.

Alcohol Rehab

Moreover, the societal and financial impact of alcoholism can be significant and may result in loss of employment, financial difficulties, and relationship problems. And Hsiao-Ye Yi, Ph.D., of the Alcohol Epidemiologic Data System at CSR Inc., in Arlington, Virginia. Still Behavioral Health Group is available 24/7 to discuss your 5 types of alcoholics treatment options. Their representatives will discuss whether their facility may be an option for you.

Medically Assisted Treatment (MAT)

The chronic severe subtype makes up the smallest percentage of alcoholics, with only 9.2%. This group tends to start drinking at a young age (around 15) but typically develops an alcohol dependence at an intermediate age (around 29). Seventy-seven percent of this group have close family members with alcoholism, the highest percentage of any subtype. And 47% of the members of this group exhibit antisocial personality disorder, the second highest rate of any subtype. This subtype is the most likely of any to experience major depression, dysthymia, bipolar disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, social phobia, and panic disorder.

• Researchers foundthat about 62% of functional alcoholics work full-time, 3.6% are in school full-time, and 5% are retired.
• With appropriate diagnosis and treatment, individuals with alcohol addiction can receive the support they need to recover and improve their overall well-being.
• It typically includes medically monitored withdrawal, which helps reduce symptoms of withdrawal.

The Dawn Medical Rehab and Wellness Centre is a reputable alcohol and drug rehabilitation centre that offers highly-personalised and intensive treatment. Contact The Dawn today to receive a no-obligation assessment and find out what help is available. Ongoing research, such as the Collaborative Studies on Genetics of Alcoholism (COGA) funded by the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA), aims to identify specific genes that influence the development of AUD.

Individuals falling into this category exhibit distinct characteristics and behaviors that set them apart from other types of alcoholics. Understanding the nuances of each of these 5 types of alcoholics is instrumental in recognizing the diverse manifestations of https://ecosoberhouse.com/ alcohol use disorder. By identifying the specific subtype an individual aligns with, tailored interventions and support systems can be implemented to address their unique needs effectively.

What Increases the Risk for AUD?

• By utilizing validated screening tools, healthcare providers can identify individuals who may be at risk for or already experiencing problematic alcohol use.
• Nearly 50 percent of intermediate familial alcoholics have a family history of alcoholism.
• Alcohol is one of the most widely used addictive substances in the U.S., with 84% of adults aged 18 and older having tried it in their lifetimes.
• Approximately22%have a first- or second-degree family member who is also dependent on alcohol.

Therefore, Psychology Today reports that they often deny they have a problem with alcohol and are less likely to seek professional help. More generally referred to as therapy, behavioural treatments are the most common recommendation for individuals starting rehabilitation. Individuals who fall into this category are some of the least likely to seek help for AUD, as the strong drinking culture mentioned earlier may counteract this. In addition, this level of drinking may be normalised within an individual’s social circle, meaning that they may not think anything is wrong because everyone around them may also be in the same boat. In the UK, the legal drinking age is 18, meaning that individuals in this category often fall into this age group or are younger. The following subparagraphs outline these five types of alcoholism, highlighting how they differ from one another and the origins and/or reasons for the development of this disorder.