5 Types of Alcoholism: Understanding the Alcoholic Subtypes

And just like every other subtype of this substance use disorder, this type of alcoholism is actually far more common than the typical alcoholic stereotype- the chronic severe alcoholic. Thorough assessments can help treatment providers to determine what the right type and level of care might be for a person battling alcohol addiction. For instance, when co-occurring https://ecosoberhouse.com/article/you-are-not-powerless-over-alcohol-and-heres-why/ mental health issues are also present, an integrated treatment plan is ideal. Close to 80 percent of chronic severe alcoholics have a genetic and familial link to alcoholism, meaning that a close family member also suffered, or suffers, from alcoholism. Chronic severe alcoholics abuse other drugs at higher rates than the other subtypes of alcoholics as well.

The chronic severe alcoholic is the rarest of all the five subtypes and makes up 9% of alcoholics in the U.S. The majority of people in this group are men, there is a high divorce rate involved, and many of the alcoholics under this type also use illicit drugs. Family and friends will have often abandoned this person types of alcoholics due to their major destructive tendencies. This type is the kind of alcoholic you likely see living on the streets. While this type is the most likely to seek out help, many times they’ve run out of options. The majority of people with chronic severe alcoholism came from families who also had problems with alcohol.

Alcohol Dependence

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. Less than 20% of this subgroup has sought help, and most do so from a 12-Step program or a private health care professional. This group has attained a higher education level than all groups other than the functional subtype.

Fifty percent of the young antisocial alcoholic subtype also suffer from antisocial personality disorder (ASPD). ASPD regularly co-occurs with alcohol abuse and addiction, as the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) reports that individuals battling ASPD are more likely to also battle drug and alcohol addictions. ASPD is indicated by a lack of remorse for one’s actions, impulsivity, disregard for rules, and violation of the rights of others. This personality disorder can make a person more likely to experiment with drugs and alcohol, and therefore more vulnerable to addiction. Criminal behavior and legal troubles are common symptoms of the young antisocial alcoholic subtype.

The 5 Types of Alcoholics

This subtype of alcoholism has the highest divorce rate, the lowest employment rate, and the highest day-to-day frequency of drinking than any other subtype. Beyond that, a functional alcoholic’s addiction isn’t likely to go away without help. And that means that eventually their home life, career, and almost everything else that matters to them is going to be hurt by their alcoholism. As you can see, it might be tough to pick out someone who is an intermediate familial alcoholic, especially when you put them side by side with a functional alcoholic. The Young Antisocial Alcoholic is often around 26.4 years old but started drinking much earlier than others at around 15 years of age.

• One of the most interesting things to come from the NIAAA study is the fact that functional alcoholism is actually quite common- more common than most people think.
• Members of this subgroup have an increased risk of suffering from major depression, antisocial personality disorder (ASPD), bipolar disorder, and obsessive-compulsive personality disorder at some point in their lives.
• But in fact, many individuals suffering from alcohol use disorder are known as functional alcoholics or high-functioning alcoholics.
• They start drinking around 18 years old but develop alcohol dependence later in life around the age of 37.

Young adult alcoholics are most likely to be male and not seek treatment. For example, if you’re a functional alcoholic, outpatient treatment may work well for you. This would allow you to continue living and working as normal but receive treatment at the same time. Around 80% of people in the severe chronic subtype have a familial and genetic alcoholism link. Someone who is in the chronic severe subtype will often drink excessively daily. As was mentioned above, some people believe there are seven types of alcoholics.

How to Know Which Alcoholic Personality Type You Are

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. Young adult alcohol dependents are 2.5 times more likely to be male than female.

A BAC of 0.09% to 0.25% causes lethargy, sedation, balance problems and blurred vision. A BAC of 0.18% to 0.30% causes profound confusion, impaired speech (e.g. slurred speech), staggering, dizziness and vomiting. A BAC from 0.25% to 0.40% causes stupor, unconsciousness, anterograde amnesia, vomiting (death may occur due to inhalation of vomit while unconscious) and respiratory depression (potentially life-threatening). A BAC from 0.35% to 0.80% causes a coma (unconsciousness), life-threatening respiratory depression and possibly fatal alcohol poisoning.

Over 50% have a family history of AUD and half have also been diagnosed with an Antisocial Personality Disorder. Many Young Antisocials also struggle with anxiety, depression, or bipolar disorder. At Gateway, we can help you begin your recovery journey no matter what type of alcoholic you are. We specialize in holistic care that focuses on your physical, social and emotional health. With 50 years of experience and over a million people treated, we will help you find the life-saving addiction treatment you need. Some people don’t even realize their drinking is an issue — they see it as part of who they are.

• Many members of this group smoke cigarettes, but few have other substance use disorders.
• This detrimental exposure can create or aggravate existing mental health disorders like major depression, bipolar disorder, and anxiety.
• Intermediate familial alcoholics drink on an average of 172 days a year, consuming five or more drinks on 54% of those days with a maximum of 10 drinks.
• Seventy-seven percent have close family members with alcoholism, the highest percentage of any subtype.

Chronic severe alcoholics often smoke and may also suffer from cocaine, opioid, and/or marijuana dependence in addition to alcohol addiction. This subtype of alcoholics is the most likely to seek treatment and the most heavily represented type of alcoholic in a treatment program. About two-thirds of chronic severe alcoholics get help for their drinking. People in this subtype begin drinking at roughly 15 years of age, developing a dependency at about 29. Seventy-seven percent have close family members with alcoholism, the highest percentage of any subtype. Nearly 50% experience antisocial personality disorder, the second-highest rate of any subtype.

We’re here 24/7 to help guide you or your loved on through rehab and recovery. If you don’t usually drink but have a beer or a glass of wine in front of others because you want to fit in, you’re drinking to conform. These drinkers typically drink less than those who drink for other reasons.

More members of this group have full-time jobs than any other, but their income level tends to be lower than the functional subtype. While this group is not especially likely to seek treatment, those that do tend to attend self-help groups, specialty treatment programs, detoxification programs, and private health care providers. About 66 percent of chronic severe alcoholics seek treatment for their alcohol dependence. This subtype has the highest attendance rate at self-help groups, specialty rehab, detox, and inpatient programs.