5 Different Types of Alcoholics Types of Drinkers

Most are smokers, and they’re more likely than other subtypes to use other drugs such as marijuana, cocaine, opioids and amphetamines. More than three-quarters of young antisocial alcoholics are male, and about 15 percent are married. They drink approximately 201 days out of each year and usually consume five or more drinks per sitting.

Alcohol is one of the most widely used addictive substances in the U.S., with 84% of adults aged 18 and older having tried it in their lifetimes. Classifying the five types of alcoholism was an important step for addiction research and treatment because it acknowledges the variability in addictive behaviors, symptoms, and consequences. Because not every case of alcoholism is the same, tailoring addiction treatment to the individual person may help improve rates of success. If you are struggling with alcohol misuse despite negative personal, professional, and health consequences, you may fit into one of the five types of alcoholism or alcoholics. Young Antisocial alcoholics are at a higher risk for alcohol abuse and alcohol addiction, and early intervention is critical.

How to approach a loved one who may be struggling with alcoholism?

In the UK, the legal drinking age is 18, meaning that individuals in this category often fall into this age group or are younger. However, for the reasons mentioned in the previous paragraph, as well as due to differing individual factors, this is simply not the case. Symptoms within AWS https://ecosoberhouse.com/ include the development of delirium tremens (body tremors and confusion), alcoholic seizures, insomnia, and a threat to life. As the brains of these young adults are in the process of developing, they retain a higher chance of developing an AUD through prolonged alcohol consumption.

• About 27 percent of intermediate familial alcoholics have ever sought help for their drinking.
• Highly trained professionals can guide families and loved ones into a treatment program that will be optimal for enhancing a sustained recovery.
• Confirmation of the hypothesis that only two broad categories of alcoholics exist would represent an important breakthrough for theory development and treatment matching.

Most of these typologies were published by alienists in books and scholarly journals. 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 middle-aged, began drinking at about 17 and were addicted to alcohol by their early 30s.

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However, the National Institutes of Health (NIH) performed a study to categorize different alcoholics to note their similarities. Family members and friends can recognize the type of alcoholic by observing their loved one’s behaviors and their impact on relationships. Functional alcoholics consume alcohol daily or at least several times per week. The effort was made to categorize different types of alcoholics, partly to dispel the myth that there is a typical alcoholic.

Instead, specialized interventions that address the alcohol use disorder and underlying personality disorder may be necessary for successful treatment. Research suggests that individuals in the Young Antisocial subtype tend to have a family history of alcoholism and a genetic predisposition five types of alcoholics to alcoholism. The Young Antisocial subtype is characterized by the early onset of alcoholism, with symptoms typically beginning before age 25. This subtype is more common in men and is characterized by a more stable life than the Young Adult and Young Antisocial Subtypes.

What Are the 5 Alcoholic Subtypes?

The Intermediate Familial Subtype is one of the five types of alcoholics, characterized by a strong family history of alcoholism and a later onset of alcohol-related problems compared to other subtypes. Understanding the characteristics and factors that contribute to this subtype can provide valuable insights into the nature of alcoholism and inform appropriate interventions. Seeking treatment poses significant challenges for Young Antisocial Alcoholics due to their distrust of authority figures and reluctance to conform to structured rehabilitation programs.

Some may be more inclined to develop alcoholism due to their genetics and family history, while others may develop alcoholism due to environmental and psychological factors. The young adult alcoholic may not seek help for their problematic drinking, as drinking to excess at this age is often considered “normal” and part of a phase of life. Family members and adults may assume that the young adult will then “grow out of it” and do not see the drinking as a potential ongoing or long-lasting issue. If you or your loved one is struggling with an alcohol addiction, you aren’t alone. Join the thousands of people we’ve started on the road to lifelong recovery. Give us a call today to discuss your situation, verify your insurance or begin the admissions process.