Breaking Down The 5 Different Types of Alcoholics

What separates this type from the young adult subtype is the presence of co-occurring antisocial behaviors and often other substance use. Even among the positive studies, potential health benefits are often quite small. In addition, alcohol may reduce the risk of one condition (such as cardiovascular disease) while increasing the risk of another (such as cancer). So it’s hard to predict who might actually benefit and who may be harmed more than helped by alcohol consumption. And the balance of risk and benefit likely varies from person to person, based on individual factors such as genetics and lifestyle factors.

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 tends to start drinking at the youngest age (around 15) and also develops an alcohol dependence at the earliest age (around 18). More than 50% of this group have traits of antisocial personality disorder.

Understanding Alcohol Addiction

Remember, alcoholism is a treatable disease, and recovery is possible with the right treatment and support. Alcoholism is a serious problem that affects millions of people around the world. There are many types of alcoholism, including functional alcoholics, young adult alcoholics, and chronic severe alcoholics. They are not meant as a diagnostic to determine if someone is suffering from alcoholism. Rather, they are meant to further the study of alcoholism and guide future research and prevention efforts.

• As a result, she had trouble forming attachments and began showing traits of Conduct Disorder, even spending some time in juvenile detention after shoplifting makeup from a local pharmacy.
• Dietary Guidelines for Americans continued to recommend that men consume no more than two drinks per day and women no more than one.
• She’s been working with a Reframe coach who specializes in trauma to help and encourage her along the way.
• Researchers foundthat they have the highest rates of employment among alcoholics, with 68% working full-time and an average family income of nearly $50,000 a year.
• There are, however, five identified subtypes of alcoholics as identified by the National Institute of Health.

Mental Health Treatment

These groups offer a sense of community and accountability, which can be crucial for long-term recovery. Her parents fought from the time she was a baby, exposing her to screaming matches and, later on, a bitter custody battle. As a result, she had trouble forming attachments and began showing traits of Conduct Disorder, even spending some time in juvenile detention after shoplifting makeup from a local pharmacy. As she grew up, she continued having trouble with relationships and started developing signs of Antisocial Personality Disorder.

Alcohol and cancer: A growing concern

Additionally, even individuals who engage in moderate drinking should be aware of their limits and avoid binge drinking or excessive consumption. It’s crucial for individuals struggling with alcohol addiction to seek help not just for their immediate safety but also for their long-term health and well-being. With professional treatment and 5 types of alcoholics characteristics of each alcoholic type support, it is possible to overcome addiction and mitigate some of the negative effects of long-term alcohol abuse on both the body and mind. This group has a higher education level than most but not as high as the functional subtype. More members of this group have full-time jobs than any other, but their income level tends to be lower than the functional subtype. Researchers foundthat about 62% of functional alcoholics work full-time, 3.6% are in school full-time, and 5% are retired.

Young antisocial alcoholics drank an average of 201 days in the last year, binge drinking (consuming five or more drinks) on an average of 80% of their drinking days. When they drink, their maximum number of drinks is 17, the highest of any subtype of alcoholic. It’s important to note that genetics alone do not determine whether someone will become an alcoholic. Therapy and support groups are effective treatment options for those struggling with alcoholism. Therapy can help individuals identify the underlying issues that may be contributing to their addiction and develop coping strategies to manage cravings and triggers. Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) is a common type of therapy used in treating alcoholism, as it helps individuals change negative thought patterns and behaviors.

Five Types of Alcoholics – Understanding Alcoholism

Remember that early intervention is key to preventing the negative consequences of alcohol addiction. Of all subtypes, the functional subtype is the least likely to have legal problems; they are the least likely to report problems due to their drinking. They have the highest education levels and incomes of all types of alcoholics. These are people that may seem to have their lives together; they may be the ones that others look up to. However, while they are “functional” in a sense, they are still suffering from addiction.

Don’t wait— reach out today to take the first step toward taking control of your life. Dietary Guidelines for Americans continued to recommend that men consume no more than two drinks per day and women no more than one. However, those guidelines also emphasize that people who don’t currently drink shouldn’t start. Recent research has also shown that adults over the age of 50 or 60 show signs of impairment at lower blood alcohol concentrations than younger people.

People in this group have likely experienced job loss, homelessness, estranged relationships, and serious health issues due to their drinking. Treatment for this group often needs to focus on breaking family patterns, managing mental health, and providing long-term support. Group therapy can be particularly effective when paired with individual counseling. Functional alcoholics often delay seeking help until a crisis occurs—like a health scare, DUI, or relationship breakdown. Early intervention often requires careful conversations and motivational interviewing to help them confront their reality.

Start your recovery journey with peace of mind, knowing your care is covered. If you or someone you care about fits into any of these profiles, the next best step is often a professional evaluation. With so much data and so many variables, public health recommendations concerning alcohol differ around the world. When newer, larger studies account for these and other variables, the protective effect of alcohol tends to disappear. The findings were widely publicized and promoted by the alcohol industry, and they gained traction in the medical community. Discover the hidden dangers of Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) and explore alternatives for effective recovery.

Research indicates that there are various subtypes of alcoholism, each with unique characteristics. More than half of alcoholics in the United States lack a multigenerational family history of the disease, suggesting that genetic causes may not always be a factor. Understanding these subtypes allows for better-targeted interventions. Supporting a loved one struggling with addiction can be challenging, but it’s important to approach the situation with compassion and understanding. Offer your support and encouragement for seeking help and avoid judgment or criticism. The young antisocial alcoholic is typically male and may have a history of behavioral problems and criminal activity.

Mounting evidence links alcohol with cancer. Defining a “safe” amount of drinking is tricky — and controversial.

Discover affordable rehab centers near you, offering easy access and convenience. “Subtypes of Alcohol Dependence in a Nati…presentative Sample.” Drug and Alcohol Dependence, 2007.

• It fueled the fights between her parents for as long as she can remember, led her grandfather to develop diabetes, and kept her brother from completing his senior year of high school.
• Only17%of functional alcoholics have ever sought help for their alcohol dependence.
• It typically includes individual and group counseling and medication-assisted therapy like naltrexone (Vivitrol).
• This subtype is the most likely of any to experience major depression, dysthymia, bipolar disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, social phobia, and panic disorder.
• About75%have never been married,36.5%are still in school, and54%work full time.
• Alcohol use disorder (AUD) doesn’t discriminate and comes in many forms, some of which can be harder to recognize than others.

The Role of Medication-Assisted Treatment in Recovery

Additionally, alcoholism can strain relationships between spouses or partners, leading to divorce or separation. It’s important to note that functional alcoholism is a serious condition that can have devastating consequences if left untreated. Additionally, their behavior can be unpredictable and dangerous, both to themselves and to those around them. It’s important to note that this type of alcoholic may not yet have developed a physical dependence on alcohol, but may display other signs of addiction. For example, they may experience a loss of control over their drinking, which can lead to risky behavior and poor decision-making. It’s essential to seek help early on to avoid further negative consequences.