By better understanding the different types of alcoholics, treatment methods can be personalized to the individual, making them more desirable and effective for a healthy recovery. The good news is that treatment for functioning alcoholism or chronic alcoholism, or any subclassification of alcohol use disorder, can lead to long-term sobriety and recovery. Medically-supervised withdrawal, evidence-based treatment, behavioral therapy, support groups, and plans for life after treatment can all aid a person who is looking to recover from alcohol addiction. The disease of alcoholism, officially diagnosed as an alcohol use disorder, can manifest differently from person to person.
Intermediate Familial Alcoholics
Over time, it can lead to deteriorating health, strained relationships, and decreased work performance. The constant stress of maintaining a façade can also take a toll on mental health, potentially leading to anxiety, depression, or other mental 5 types of alcoholics health disorders. Members of this group began drinking at an average age of 17 and developed a dependence on alcohol at age 32. Of the five NIAAA alcoholic subtypes, this group has the highest employment rate, with 68% working in full-time jobs.
Physical Signs of Alcohol Addiction: Recognizing the Red Flags
- The Apollonian-Dionysian distinction has been used to summarize the commonalities among alcoholic subtypes.
- Type 2 alcoholism, in contrast to Type 1 alcoholism, usually occurs during adolescence or in the early adult years.
- The sooner chronic alcoholism is identified, the better it could be treated and managed.
- It focused on 1,484 NESARC respondents who met all diagnostic criteria for alcohol dependence and included people who were in treatment for their AUD as well as people who were not.
- Their alcoholism usually manifests by the time they are 18 or 19, and more than half come from families with alcoholism.
- Nearly 32 percent of alcoholics fall into the young adult category, making it the most prevalent subtype in the U.S.
The typical young adult alcoholic is about 25 and started drinking at age 19 or 20. Men outnumber women 2.5 times to 1 in this category, and they tend to be single. Many people with alcohol use disorder hesitate to get treatment because they don’t recognize that they have a problem. An intervention from loved ones can help some people recognize and accept that they need professional help.
What Are the Risks of Alcohol Abuse?
Support groups, therapy, and medication are commonly prescribed treatments that promote long-term sobriety. Some research shows that the traits of low harm avoidance, high novelty seeking, and low reward dependence characterizing Type 2 alcoholics are similar to the traits of those with an antisocial personality disorder. It’s no surprise, then, that many Type 2 alcoholics are https://ecosoberhouse.com/ also diagnosed with an antisocial personality disorder. Chronic severe alcoholics typically exhibit a pattern of heavy, prolonged drinking that significantly impairs their ability to function in daily life. They may struggle to maintain employment, relationships, or even basic self-care. The physical and psychological effects of chronic severe alcoholism can be devastating.
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- Thus the data was therefore not a representative sample of men and women, and it also ignored the 25% of alcoholics who never seek or receive treatment.
- Identifying oneself or a loved one with an alcohol problem and categorizing them in one of the five categories based on the classification of alcoholics can help recognize what kind of treatment will be suitable for the patient.
- The presence of any two symptoms within a one-year period can result in a diagnosis of alcohol addiction.
What Does the Term ‘Alcoholic’ Mean?
For a person to be diagnosed with the condition, three of the following factors must have been present for at least twelve months. The term alcoholic refers to a person with a condition known as alcohol use disorder (AUD). The disorder makes a person who has it experience an intense desire for alcohol even when it adversely affects their health. However, referring to a person with this condition as an alcoholic has negative connotations that can be harmful and hurtful.
Young Antisocial Subtype
If you feel that you sometimes drink too much alcohol, or your drinking is causing problems, or if your family is concerned about your drinking, talk with your health care provider. Other ways to get help include talking with a mental health professional or seeking help from a support group such as Alcoholics Anonymous or a similar type of self-help group. The Recovery Village aims to improve the quality of life for people struggling with substance use or mental health disorder with fact-based content about the nature of behavioral health conditions, treatment options and their related outcomes.
- In the short term, young adults may experience academic or work-related problems, engage in risky behaviors, or suffer injuries due to alcohol-related accidents.
- The challenge with functional alcoholism lies in its very nature – it’s hard to spot.
- As shown in table 2, similar alcoholic subtypes can be categorized within two broad groups, called the Apollonian and Dionysian types, based on recurrent characteristics of the drinkers.
- It is determined that roughly 31.5% of alcoholics fall into the category of young adults, which is the largest single group.