Many members of this group smoke cigarettes, but few have other substance use disorders. 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.
Understanding the behavioural characteristics of certain types of alcoholics provides key information concerning treatment options. Chronic severe alcoholics are usually middle-aged men with a long history of alcohol problems, co-occurring mental and physical https://ecosoberhouse.com/ health issues, and significant impairment in social functioning. The intermediate familial subtype makes up nearly 19 percent of U.S. alcoholics. Alcoholics in this subtype typically began drinking by 17 and became alcoholics in their early 30s.
Main Types of Alcohol
Identifying the specific type of alcoholic makes it easier to understand and treat people’s problems. The species has a very old and long history of using ethyl alcohol as a recreational drug. Intermediate familiar alcoholics are typically employed and have a close family member who’s an alcoholic too. The NIAAA researchers found that there were five distinct patterns of alcohol dependence. To learn more about alcohol treatment options and search for quality care near you, please visit the NIAAA Alcohol Treatment Navigator. Alcohol addiction is a complex disorder that manifests in many forms.
The second of the five types of alcoholics are the young antisocial subtypes. This group equates to more than one-fifth of those with significant drinking problems. Slightly older at 26-years of age, approximately 50% have antisocial personality disorders and could suffer from bipolar disorder, social 5 types of alcoholics phobias or other mental health conditions. Those within this group most likely would have fit into the Young Antisocial type earlier in their lives. Generational alcohol abuse is extremely common in chronic severe cases along with the highest rates of mental health disorders out of any type.
Get help for alcoholism today
An intervention from loved ones can help some people recognize and accept that they need professional help. If you’re concerned about someone who drinks too much, ask a professional experienced in alcohol treatment for advice on how to approach that person. Unhealthy alcohol use includes any alcohol use that puts your health or safety at risk or causes other alcohol-related problems. It also includes binge drinking — a pattern of drinking where a male has five or more drinks within two hours or a female has at least four drinks within two hours.
Only 17% of functional alcoholics have ever sought help for their alcohol dependence. Those who do tend to make use of 12-step programs and private health care professionals. Researchers found that about 62% of functional alcoholics work full-time, 3.6% are in school full-time, and 5% are retired. Nearly 26% have a college degree or higher, and the average household income is almost $60,000, the highest among any of the subtypes.
Young Antisocial Alcoholic
Of the alcoholism subtypes, functional individuals are less likely to relapse. The effort was made to categorize different types of alcoholics, partly to dispel the myth that there is a typical alcoholic. Genetic, environmental, and psychological factors influence the risk of becoming an alcoholic.
Intermediate familial alcoholics are about 38 years old and started drinking around the age of 17. While the chronic severe subtype is the rarest category, with only 9.2% of alcoholics, it’s considered the most dangerous form of alcoholism. Members of this group tend to start drinking young, by age 15, but they generally don’t develop a dependence until their late 20’s. Antisocial personality disorder commonly co-occurs with alcohol abuse, as alcohol can lower social inhibitions and anxiety, and make a person feel more relaxed.
