5 Types of Alcoholics The Recovery Village Cherry Hill at Cooper

Theories suggest that for certain people drinking has a different and stronger impact that can lead to alcohol use disorder. Alcohol use disorder is a pattern of alcohol use that involves problems controlling your drinking, being preoccupied with alcohol or continuing to use alcohol even when it causes problems. This disorder also involves having to drink more to get the same effect or having withdrawal symptoms when you rapidly decrease or stop drinking. Alcohol use disorder includes a level of drinking that’s sometimes called alcoholism. Chronic severe alcoholics have the highest rate of family members who also experience alcohol dependence at 77%.

The chronic severe subtype is the smallest but most severe of all the categories of alcoholism. It includes the highest percentage of people struggling with co-occurring mental illness and other substance abuse issues. 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.

Alcohol dependence (alcoholism)

It is important to seek treatment as early as possible, as the longer an individual with AUD goes without treatment, the greater the risk of long-term health and social consequences. Young adult alcoholics often begin drinking during adolescence and continue into their 20s, with many having a family history of alcoholism and struggling with comorbid substance use disorders. For example, prevention programs can target young people exposed to genetic or environmental influences that may 5 types of alcoholics lead to alcoholism. Early intervention strategies can screen for personality or mental health issues that may increase the likelihood of developing alcohol addiction. Functional alcoholics may have more difficulty admitting their problem and seeking help than most intermediate familial alcoholics because they have more to lose or fear of stigma. Young antisocial alcoholics may have more relapses and legal problems than other types because they have more impulsivity and aggression.

Awake Therapy, a telehealth company that provides video and telephone psychotherapy, counseling, and coaching to individuals in over 40 countries worldwide. He is also the curator of the popular mental health and wellness website, Therapytips.org. By focusing on the sensory aspects of alcohol, individuals can find relaxation, joy and even a sense of purpose. When approached from this perspective, alcohol becomes more than just a beverage.

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The functional subtype is what you might think of when you hear “functional alcoholics.” Making up 19.5% of alcoholics, this is the group that is holding down jobs and relationships. Members of this group generally start drinking later (around 18) and develop an alcohol dependence later (around 37). 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.

• Alcohol addiction can affect individuals of all ages, genders, and backgrounds.
• In the U.S., young antisocial alcoholics comprise 21 percent of all alcoholics.
• It should not be used in place of the advice of your physician or other qualified healthcare providers.

They may have a higher level of education and income than other subtypes and appear to be successful and have it all together. However, they drink heavily and regularly, often to cope with stress or boredom. Our Recovery Advocates are ready to answer your questions about addiction treatment and help you start your recovery. This group also tends to spend significant amounts of time recovering from alcohol, and many experience reduced activities due to drinking. This group also sees the highest rate of emergency room visits due to drinking.

Secondary Alcohols (Isopropyl Alcohol)

Join our newsletter to be part of a community of people with shared experiences. This is a great asset to those struggling with their own personal battles. Our quarterly newsletter reminds you that others have gone down this path and can provide valuable support. No matter where on your journey — considering sobriety, living sober for years or months already — our newsletter is here as a guide with helpful resources, events, and more. Everyone is different, so it’s important to seek professional advice if you are concerned about your drinking. Alcohol use disorder can include periods of being drunk (alcohol intoxication) and symptoms of withdrawal.

• The young adult subtype is the most prevalent subtype, making up 31.5% of people who are alcohol dependent.
• Alcoholism is treatable, and Design for Recovery is here to support you.
• The young adult subtype is the largest of the groups accounting for 31.5% of alcoholics.
• One of the criteria is tolerance, meaning that a person needs larger quantities of alcohol to achieve the same desired effects.
• The functional subtype is what you might think of when you hear “functional alcoholics.” Making up 19.5% of alcoholics, this is the group that is holding down jobs and relationships.

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. Typically, alcohol withdrawal symptoms happen for heavier drinkers. Alcohol withdrawal can begin within hours of ending a drinking session.

What Should You Know About the 5 Types of Alcoholics?

Most of them are middle-aged and began abusing alcohol early in life. Nearly 80% of those in this category have a multigenerational family history of alcohol addiction. Both antisocial personality disorder and criminal behavior are common in this subtype. They rarely have a family history of alcoholism, but they may have other co-occurring mental health conditions or substance abuse problems. About 31.5% of alcoholics fall into this category, but only 8.9% have ever sought treatment for their alcohol dependence.

Reach out today and one of our Recovery Advocates can answer your questions and guide you through the admissions process. Because denial is common, you may feel like you don’t have a problem with drinking. You might not recognize how much you drink or how many problems in your life are related to alcohol use. Listen to relatives, friends or co-workers when they ask you to examine your drinking habits or to seek help.