Types of Alcoholics

They may have started drinking during their teenage years and developed problematic patterns over time. Despite their youth, the long-term consequences of heavy drinking can be severe without intervention. This group often engages in binge drinking patterns rather than daily consumption. Binge drinking involves consuming four or more drinks for women, or five or 5 types of alcoholics according to the niaaa more drinks for men, within a two-hour period. Most young adult alcoholics don’t seek treatment and may not recognize their drinking as problematic.

We’re here 24/7 to help guide you or your loved on through rehab and recovery. Inpatient rehab follows detox, which is where you learn necessary recovery skills, including coping, communication, relapse prevention, and relationship building. Sober living, partial hospitalization, intensive outpatient treatment, and aftercare are additional components of a complete treatment program. Support groups like Alcoholics Anonymous provide peer support and accountability. These 12-step programs have helped millions of people maintain sobriety by connecting them with others who understand their struggles. The NIAAA researchers found that there were five distinct patterns ofalcohol dependence.

Prioritizing recovery takes time and effort but increases the likelihood of long-term sobriety. Start the conversation, and connect with a treatment provider who can help. Start your recovery journey with peace of mind, knowing your care is covered. Join our supportive sober community where each day becomes a step towards personal growth and lasting positive change. The Healing Place and Refine Recovery are available 24/7 to discuss your treatment options.

Evidence Based

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. This group also is very likely to experience addiction to cigarettes, marijuana, cocaine, and opioids. This group exhibits the highest levels of physical dependence, psychiatric comorbidities, and co-occurring substance use disorders.

• This group has the highest rates of drinking, consuming alcohol on anaverage of almost 248 days a yearand binge drinking on69%of them with a maximum of 15 drinks.
• Or maybe your own relationship with alcohol has changed, and you’re looking for answers that make sense of the chaos.
• The study considered participants’ family history, age of initial drinking, mental health traits, and patterns of substance use.
• Many individuals with alcohol addiction also struggle with other substance use disorders.
• Individual and group therapy sessions help people understand their relationship with alcohol and develop coping strategies.

This subgroup is very likely to have had immediate family members with alcoholism. They also have high probability of suffering from antisocial personality disorder, depression, generalized anxiety disorder, and bipolar disorder. This group also suffers from high rates of cigarette, marijuana, and cocaine addiction. The functional alcoholic subtype accounts for about 19% of alcoholics and includes individuals in their early ‘40s. They start drinking around 18 years old but develop alcohol dependence later in life around the age of 37.

Featured Treatment Centers Offering Treatment for Alcoholism

However, while they are “functional” in a sense, they are still suffering from addiction. Less than 20% of this subgroup has sought help, and most do so from a 12-step program or a private health care professional. Understanding the various types of alcoholics is crucial for developing effective treatment strategies and enhancing our understanding of alcohol addiction. Over the past 150 years, clinicians and researchers have been striving to categorize alcoholics based on their personal and drinking-related characteristics.

As a result, people within the functional subtype are the least prone to experiencing legal repercussions from alcohol misuse. About 77 percent of chronic severe alcoholics have family members with alcohol dependency. Of the five types of alcoholics discovered in the study, they have the lowest education levels and employment rates of all. They are also likely to be regular smokers and use other substances, including marijuana, cocaine, and opioids. Individuals in this group are about 38 years old and initially started drinking around the age of 16. However, for this group, alcohol dependence typically develops at around 29 years old.

The best type of treatment will depend on your treatment needs and individual circumstances. There’s no single solution for alcohol addiction, and treatment is highly individualized. In that case, it’s best to speak with your doctor or an addiction treatment professional at a reputable detox or rehab center like Nova Recovery Center. They also have the highest divorce rates, with 25.1% divorced, 8.6% separated and only 28.7% married.

Medication-Assisted Treatment

These individuals have the highest rates of mental health disorders, including depression, bipolar disorder, and anxiety disorders. The functioning alcoholic represents a significant portion of people with alcohol dependence. These individuals maintain successful careers, relationships, and social standing despite their addiction. They’re typically middle-aged, well-educated, and have higher incomes than other subtypes. Researchers have identified several kinds of alcoholics, each with unique characteristics and risk factors.

Intermediate familial alcoholics

The types of alcoholics are often referenced to categorize different subgroups of people who experience alcohol use disorder (AUD). They have the highest rate of emergency room visits for their drinking, and they’re likely to suffer medical problems due to alcohol abuse. Young antisocial alcoholics have a high rate of psychiatric disorders and other substance abuse. In the U.S., the intermediate familial alcoholic subtype comprises 19% of all alcoholics. Intermediate familial alcoholics are similar to functional ones but are more likely born with a genetic predisposition to alcoholism. Behavioral treatments play a crucial role in helping individuals modify their thoughts, behaviors, and attitudes towards alcohol.

Individual and group therapy sessions help people understand their relationship with alcohol and develop coping strategies. Cognitive-behavioral therapy is particularly effective for addressing the thoughts and behaviors that contribute to drinking alcohol. Alcohol abuse manifests in several distinct patterns, each carrying unique risks and consequences. Understanding the different kinds of alcoholism helps identify when drinking alcohol becomes problematic. They also have the greatest frequency of alcohol-related emergency room visits and spend substantial time recovering from drinking episodes.

Only 9% have a college degree, and they also have the lowest employment rate. Only 43% of chronic severe alcoholics are employed full-time and 7.6% are unemployed or permanently disabled. Not all alcoholics know they suffer from a substance abuse problem because denial is a regular and expected aspect of alcoholism. As exceptions, functional and young antisocial alcoholics are more likely to be aware of their drinking problem. Functional alcoholics have an average household income of almost $60,000 and the lowest rates of legal issues.

• What separates this type from the young adult subtype is the presence of co-occurring antisocial behaviors and often other substance use.
• Through therapy, individuals develop coping mechanisms, learn relapse prevention strategies, and address underlying issues that contribute to problematic alcohol use.
• The functioning alcoholic represents a significant portion of people with alcohol dependence.
• Understand the signs and discover support options that fit the person, not the label.

It is determined that roughly 31.5% of alcoholics fall into the category of young adults, which is the largest single group. This group tends to begin drinking at an early age (around 19) and also develops an alcohol dependence early (around 24). This group has comparatively low rates of co-occurring mental health conditions and moderate rates of other substance use disorders and family members with alcoholism. Age, family history, mental health, and the severity of alcohol misuse are factors that help define different types of alcoholics.

Young antisocial alcoholics

Due to various risk factors, circumstances, age, and histories, alcohol use disorders will likely fall into one of five categories. Knowing which type someone is can help determine appropriate alcohol treatment. Chronic severe alcoholics are most likely to seek treatment, often because their addiction has caused significant life disruptions.

Genetic Factors in AUD

They may have experienced multiple hospitalizations, legal problems, and relationship breakdowns due to their alcohol addiction. The survey also included responses from individuals in treatment as well as those not seeking treatment. Of this type, about76% are maleand only7.6% have received a college degree, although another13.4% are still in school. Approximately47% are employed full time.Family incomes average around $32,000, the lowest among the subtypes alongside the chronic severe subtype. Unlike young adult alcoholics, antisocial alcoholics don’t drink socially with peers. Instead, antisocial alcoholics drink alone and typically struggle with co-occurring mental health problems.