Understanding the Five Types of Alcoholics Get Help For Alcohol Addiction

They tend to participate in groups, medical detox and treatment programs or receive help from a private healthcare provider. The chronic severe subtype makes up the smallest percentage of alcoholics, with only 9.2%. This group tends to start drinking at a young age (around 15) but typically develops an alcohol dependence at an intermediate age (around 29). Seventy-seven percent of this group have close family members with alcoholism, the highest percentage of any subtype.

  • If they do choose to seek help, they tend to prefer 12-step programs over specialty treatment clinics or private professional practices.
  • Those who receive help usually gravitate towards groups, medical detox and treatment programs, or seek individual care from a private provider.
  • Functional alcoholics are more likely to smoke but usually aren’t addicted to other substances.

They also often suffer from co-occurring mental health problems, such as bipolar disorder and depression. The most recent data1 also show a high prevalence of antisocial personality disorder among individuals with an alcohol addiction. This aligns with the NIAAA subtype3 of the young antisocial alcoholic. It may be helpful to understand that according to the DSM-54, a person only has to meet two criteria to be diagnosed with an alcohol use disorder.

The young adult alcoholic

When it comes to types of alcoholics, there are many factors to consider to choose the best alcohol addiction treatment. Categorization of alcohol dependency enabled consideration of those who were type 1 alcoholic, or, social triggers as well as alcoholic personality types. When subcategories were created, it progressed diagnostic 5 types of alcoholics methods as no two types of alcohol dependency are the same. Due consideration to the cause including social, environmental or even genetic factors all aid potential treatment and choosing between inpatient and outpatient alcohol treatment centers. This group has the lowest levels of education, employment, and income of any group.

The Recovery Village Cherry Hill at Cooper offers comprehensive alcohol treatment services in South Jersey, and we are qualified to treat co-occurring mental health disorders like anxiety and depression. Our 90-bed inpatient facility offers a multitude of services, including individual and group therapy, medical support and case management. Our amenities also include a fitness facility and yoga room, entertainment lounges and basketball and volleyball courts.

Secondary Alcohols (Isopropyl Alcohol)

When they do seek treatment, they’re more likely to attend a 12-step group or seek treatment from private health care professionals. Nineteen percent of people3 with an alcohol addiction fall under this fourth category of alcoholism. They tend to be middle-aged, and about half have a family history of alcoholism in multiple generations. We understand that seeking treatment for alcohol addiction can be a difficult decision, and we provide a supportive environment for individuals to begin their journey toward recovery. Individuals with chronic severe alcoholism need comprehensive treatment that addresses their physical and psychological needs. Long-term sobriety may be difficult to achieve, but with the appropriate treatment and support, individuals with chronic severe alcoholism can achieve and maintain recovery.

  • When a person suffers from a co-occurring mental health disorder, the risk for also developing alcoholism or problems with substance abuse are elevated.
  • Nearly half of them have a close family member who is also an alcoholic.
  • These types have different signs to look for and likelihoods of seeking treatment for their alcohol use disorder.

The following checklists for each type can help you determine which subtype you might fall into. The largest percentage of alcoholics fall into this group, as NIAAA publishes that 31.5 percent of all alcoholics in the United States fit this subtype. This group is typically in their late teens or early 20s, and either just of legal drinking age or slightly younger. Many young adult alcoholics are likely college students who are away from home for the first time, and who are surrounded by a culture that promotes and encourages excessive social drinking. While most high-functioning alcoholics begin drinking at about 18, they don’t develop an addiction to alcohol until their late 30s. Approximately one-third have a family history of alcoholism, and about one-quarter have been diagnosed with major depression.

Get Help With Alcohol Addiction

If you or someone you love falls into othese categories, do not hesitate. Join the thousands of people that have called a treatment provider for rehab information. “Subtypes of Alcohol Dependence in a Nati[…]presentative Sample.” Drug and Alcohol Dependence, 2007. However, certain food groups also have benefits when it comes to helping with the discomfort of withdrawal symptoms and detoxification. Therefore, the best treatment for one person might not work for the next.

Therefore, Psychology Today reports that they often deny they have a problem with alcohol and are less likely to seek professional help. Alcohol impacts brain chemistry, and regular exposure to the mind-altering substance may actually change the way the brain’s circuitry works. An individual may then suffer from cravings and withdrawal symptoms when alcohol isn’t active in the bloodstream, encouraging the person to drink more to feel better.

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