Some outgrow their problem drinking, while others develop an addiction to alcohol as they age. The effort was made to categorize different types of alcoholics, partly 5 types of alcoholics to dispel the myth that there is a typical alcoholic. Before we dive into the different types of alcoholics, let’s first establish what actually defines an alcoholic.
Why Create These Types?
Daily drinking can have serious consequences for a person’s health, both in the short- and long-term. Many of the effects of drinking every day can be reversed through early intervention. Alcoholism treatment is not one-size-fits-all, and patients who work with qualified medical professionals have the best chance of recovery. Conformist drinkers drink to fit in socially on holidays, at celebrations, and in other situations where other people consume alcohol. They are not regular drinkers, but they may join in a champagne toast or have a glass of beer when others are doing the same. This spectrum of addiction might make it more challenging to group people into even theoretical categories, though for diagnostic and other purposes, researchers and treatment professionals may try.
Alcoholism Stages and Subtypes: What You Need To Know
Young antisocial alcoholics may have more relapses and legal problems than other types because they have more impulsivity and aggression. They may prefer a combination of professional treatment and peer support groups. They are more likely to try inpatient or residential addiction treatment programs than other subtypes.
- However, identifying similarities can help people identify what kind of alcoholic they are.
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- This subtype also battles antisocial personality disorder at high rates and regularly has issues with the law and therefore criminal or legal troubles as well.
- Chronic severe alcoholics typically have difficulty functioning normally from day to day.
- People in recovery from AUD who share their experiences, coping skills, and strategies typically facilitate these groups.
The Binge Drinker
- Members of this group generally start drinking later (around 18) and develop an alcohol dependence later (around 37).
- Alcohol is often implicated in exacerbating aggression, and the National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence (NCADD) publishes that 40 percent of all violent crimes cite alcohol as a contributing factor.
- This group tends to start drinking younger (around 17) and also develops an alcohol dependence earlier (around 32).
- They are more likely to try inpatient or residential addiction treatment programs than other subtypes.
- Out of all the other subtypes, this one rates the highest for abuse of other substances and other psychiatric disorders.
Many alcoholics in this category also battle substance abuse, depression, and bipolar disorder. Similar to the young adult subtype, they are also unlikely to seek help for their drinking. Only about 1/3 of people in the functional subtype seek treatment for alcohol-related issues as they may deny or rationalize their behavior or fear losing their reputation or status. If functional alcoholics do seek help, they may prefer professional counseling or medication. A third of Functional alcoholics have a multi-generational family history of alcohol abuse.
Rising Cancer Rates in Younger Adults
Antisocial personality disorder commonly co-occurs with alcohol abuse, as alcohol can lower social inhibitions and anxiety, and make a person feel more relaxed. Drinking may then be used as a method of self-medicating the personality disorder symptoms. This subtype of alcoholics is generally in their mid-20s and started drinking young. Early episodes of binge and heavy drinking (binge drinking on five or more days in the same month) can elevate the risk for struggling with alcohol-related issues later in life.
Through our referral service, we refer thousands of individuals struggling with addiction to the most suitable and effective treatments for them. To learn more about alcoholism, addiction, and rehabilitation, please do not hesitate to get in contact with Rehab 4 Alcoholism today. Within a group such as this, individuals can talk about the issues they faced while addicted in a judgement-free environment around others who may have similar experiences. Although strong links have been drawn between alcoholic parents and children growing up to be alcoholics (3), there are many other reasons why someone may turn to alcoholism. When in the cycle of addiction, an individual’s career/school life, finances, and relationships, can all be affected, often worsening as the individual is left untreated.
- This subtype includes people who begin drinking in their teens and are at a higher risk of developing alcohol-related problems as they get older.
- Recognizing the signs and symptoms of AUD is crucial so you can get help before the problem worsens.
- The causes of alcoholism are multifaceted and can vary from individual to individual.
This group suffers from moderate rates of depression but lower rates of most other co-occurring disorders. Many members of this group smoke cigarettes, but few have other substance use disorders. More than half of young antisocial alcoholics have a family history of alcoholism, and around half also struggle with antisocial personality disorder. When a person suffers from a co-occurring mental health disorder, the risk for also developing alcoholism or problems with substance abuse are elevated. The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) publishes that co-occurring mental health disorders and addiction are common, as about 8 million adults in America battled both in 2014.
Detailed Health Risks of Alcohol Abuse
In this blog article, we cover the different types of alcoholics and how they can seek help to stay sober. People with ASPD are 21 times more likely to develop alcohol dependence in their lifetimes. Meanwhile, alcohol is more likely to increase aggressive behaviors in people with ASPD than in people without. This may be because alcohol interferes with executive functioning in the brain, which regulates and inhibits aggressive behavior. People with ASPD also show impaired executive functioning, which may make them particularly vulnerable to this effect.
Understanding the 6 Types of Alcoholism
The young antisocial, intermediate familial, and chronic severe subtypes are most likely to have co-occurring mental health conditions. Co-occurring disorders like depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) can complicate alcohol use disorder. A special treatment approach, known as dual diagnosis treatment, is required to help people achieve their recovery goals. It is determined that roughly 31.5% of alcoholics fall into the category of young adults, which is the largest single group.
