The 5 Different Types of Alcoholics

Someone who is considered a functional alcoholic may lead a kind of double life, compartmentalizing their drinking from the rest of their life. Nearly 50 percent have a family history of alcoholism, and co-occurring mental illness is prevalent. Approximately half suffer from clinical depression, and about 1 in 5 has been diagnosed with bipolar disorder and obsessive-compulsive disorder. Intermediate familial alcoholics are more likely to be male and have a job. Most are smokers, and 20 to 25 percent have also used cocaine and marijuana.

Half of the people in this subtype have experienced depression, and 20% have bipolar disorder. Other common co-occurring mental health conditions include obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and generalized anxiety disorder. Many people in this category also use tobacco, cocaine or marijuana.

Appreciation Of Alcohol Can Be A Legitimate Hobby

Data collated by the National Institute On Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism in 2015 revealed that over 86.4% of those over the age of 18 admitted they had drunk alcohol at some point. Many people start drinking at a young age with or without permission; however, it’s important to understand the criteria for alcoholism as not everyone who drinks alcohol develops a dependency. Many people go out drinking sensibly but, there is cause for concern when it comes to peer pressure, social issues or, personal circumstances which may lead to a reliance on alcohol. There is no denying the fact that approximately 88,000 people die through alcohol-related causes on an annual basis. Classifying alcoholism into subtypes can also help identify and remove barriers to professional assessment and treatment.

They tend to drink less often than older alcoholics, but they binge drink more. Nearly 50 percent of intermediate familial alcoholics have a family history of alcoholism. Nearly 19 percent of alcoholics in the U.S. fall into the intermediate familial category. Most are 5 types of alcoholics middle-aged, began drinking at about 17 and were addicted to alcohol by their early 30s. Because their alcohol addiction has fewer obvious negative consequences, an important aspect of dealing with an alcoholic is getting them to recognize that they have a problem.

Intermediate Familial Alcoholic

People reported enhanced social bonding, better relationship dynamics and a keener sense of humor when consuming alcohol in moderation. Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor who has been providing mental health services for over 10 years. Design for Recovery provides structured sober living in Los Angeles, California. Some people may have a higher risk due to their family history, social surroundings, psychological traits, life events, or ways of dealing with problems.

It’s also common for people within this subtype to have co-occurring substance use disorders with marijuana, cocaine and opioids. While they only account for 9% of those dealing with alcoholism, they’re the most common subtype you’d come across in treatment. Most likely what a person pictures when the term alcoholic is used, the chronic severe alcoholic subtype only accounts for about 9 percent of the entire US alcoholic population. A chronic severe alcoholic likely started drinking and struggling with alcohol-related issues and problematic drinking at a young age and is currently middle-aged. 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.

Young Adult Subtype

About 31% of functional alcoholics have a close family member who also has alcohol dependence. They have moderate rates of major depression (24%) and smoking cigarettes (43%), and low rates of anxiety disorders, other substance use disorders, and the lowest rates of having legal problems (fewer than 1%). Few young adult alcoholics use other drugs or have legal problems. On average, they drink about 143 days each year, and they typically consume five or more drinks at a time. Few seek help for their drinking, but when they do, they gravitate toward 12-step groups as opposed to private treatment. While approximately 15 million American adults suffer from alcohol use disorder, fewer than 1 in 10 typically seek treatment for addiction.

• Wine tasting, for instance, isn’t just about drinking; it’s a deep dive into understanding the complexities, aromas and history of different vintages.
• This subtype includes 19.5% of those who struggle with alcohol use but appear to be functioning.
• Intermediate familial alcoholics are more likely to be male and have a job.
• These are people that may seem to have their lives together; they may be the ones that others look up to.
• Treatment may involve a combination of medical interventions, counseling, support groups, behavioral therapies, and addressing co-occurring disorders.

Or a person may start as a young antisocial alcoholic but then become a functional alcoholic as they mature or seek treatment. Different types of alcoholics become so due to environmental, social or, personal circumstances and those in the chronic severe subtype category make up only 9% of those who are dependent on alcohol in the US. Research indicates that these are typically men who are in their middle years, perhaps divorced and using illegal drugs.

How do the 5 Types of Alcoholics Differ in Terms of Their Drinking Patterns and Behaviors?

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