Many also suffer from other mental illnesses, including major depression, bipolar disorder, social phobias and obsessive-compulsive personality disorder. The terms “alcoholism” and “alcoholic” carry a heavy stigma that can discourage individuals from seeking help. We publish material that is researched, cited, edited and reviewed by licensed medical professionals. The information we provide is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. It should not be used in place of the advice of your physician or other qualified healthcare providers.
Functional Alcoholics
Those in the chronic severe subtype have the highest rate of divorce and separation. Thankfully this subtype is the most likely to seek help for their alcoholism, often from rehab programs, self-help groups and detox clinics. About half of those in this group have an anti-social personality disorder and are more likely to experience a co-occuring mental 5 types of alcoholics health condition such as depression, bipolar disorder, dysthymia or anxiety. They’re also extremely likely to have another addiction to cigarettes, marijuana, opioids or cocaine. You may have heard the term functional alcoholics, someone who can hold down a stable job and keep relationships with their family while exhibiting signs of alcoholism.
Get Help for Alcohol Addiction in Las Vegas
Young and carefree, the average person in this category is between 17 and 25 and is newly legal to drink. They typically come from families with low rates of alcoholism and they are unlikely to suffer from co-occurring mental health conditions. 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 history of AUD in one’s family, the development of alcohol abuse early on in life, and a current severe AUD are classified as chronic severe alcoholism.
- Chronic severe alcoholics are the oldest, usually in their late 40s to early 60s and have the most chronic and severe form of alcohol dependence.
- Nearly 26% have a college degree or higher, and the average household income is almost $60,000, the highest among any of the subtypes.
- The incidence of mental health disorders is much more common within this type.
- They may prefer programs with intensive medical, psychological care, and long-term follow-up and support.
- This subtype of alcoholics is generally in their mid-20s and started drinking young.
Symptoms of Alcohol Addiction
Most intermediate familial alcoholics begin drinking around age 17 and develop alcoholism later in life, around age 32. About half of this group comes from families with alcohol problems and are likely to suffer from mental disorders. They also have high rates of cigarette, marijuana, and cocaine addiction. About half of this subtype of alcoholics smoke cigarettes, and one-third have a family history of alcoholism. Around one-quarter of the functional alcoholic demographic have had at least one major depressive episode in their lives as well.
They are mostly middle-aged with high rates of co-occurring disorders including antisocial personality disorder. This group also has the highest likelihood of a family history of alcohol use disorder. Since their condition is the most serious, people with chronic severe AUD are also the most likely to seek treatment. This group has a higher education level than most but not as high as the functional subtype.
The 5 Types Of Alcoholics
- She has spent the past 5 years specializing in the treatment of opioid and alcohol use disorders.
- Early intervention strategies can screen for personality or mental health issues that may increase the likelihood of developing alcohol addiction.
- While two-thirds have sought alcohol rehab for their addiction, it’s important that any treatment program address their co-occurring disorders and include therapies focused on preventing alcohol relapse.
- Design for Recovery offers the skills and support for lifelong sobriety.
Depression and mood disorders commonly co-occur with alcohol abuse and can increase a person’s vulnerability to addiction. The functional alcoholic may be good at covering up emotional distress and issues with alcohol, and able to maintain outward appearances of success. The young adult subtype is less likely to seek treatment because binge, heavy, and frequent drinking are often viewed as a normal part of socializing in one’s teens and early twenties. For many young adults, this is a temporary phase they grow out of once they take on the responsibilities of supporting themselves, building a career, and starting a family.
Risks for Specific Types of Alcoholics
Each subtype is unique and offers a bit more insight into alcohol abuse. With ⅔ of this group having sought out treatment for their alcoholism they are the most likely of all the subtypes to seek help. Help for them can be found through rehabilitation programs, self-help groups, detox programs, private specialists, social workers, and psychiatrists. People in this subtype don’t drink as often as other types of alcoholics.
Determining Your Alcoholic Type
Discuss your family member’s alcohol use openly and bring up the idea of treatment. Support groups provide social support, encouragement, and accountability which can be beneficial during recovery. People in recovery from AUD who share their experiences, coping skills, and strategies typically facilitate these groups. BetterHelp offers affordable mental health care via phone, video, or live-chat. This post discusses five distinct categories of people who suffer from alcoholism.
Severity Levels of Alcohol Use Disorder
- Alcoholism is considered to be a heritable disease, as NIAAA reports that genetics can account for about half of the risk for developing the disease.
- More than three-quarters of young antisocial alcoholics are male, and about 15 percent are married.
- They tend to prefer self-help groups, detoxification programs, specialty treatment programs and individual private health care providers.
- They are mostly in their forties or fifties and have stable jobs and families.
- The chronic severe subtype is the smallest but most severe of all the categories of alcoholism.
- They have high rates of education and income, but also high rates of smoking and health problems.