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Alcohol use disorder includes a level of drinking that’s sometimes called alcoholism. The five types of alcoholics deal with one or more alcohol problems. The best way to find a successful how many steps in alcoholics anonymous treatment program is to understand alcohol issues in-depth. A study by scientists at the NIAAA, part of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), analyzed 1,484 survey respondents who met specific diagnostic criteria for alcohol addiction. The study included people both in treatment and not seeking treatment.

Young adults tend to drink less often than older alcoholics, but they binge drink more. The young adult subtype also often is baclofen addicting abuses other substances besides alcohol and rarely seeks treatment. Many people with AUD do recover, but setbacks are common among people in treatment. Behavioral therapies can help people develop skills to avoid and overcome triggers, such as stress, that might lead to drinking. Medications also can help deter drinking during times when individuals may be at greater risk of a return to drinking (e.g., divorce, death of a family member).

1. This subtype of alcoholics is typically middle-aged, well-educated, and may seem to have it all “together” on the outside.
2. The NIAAA researchers found that there were five distinct patterns of alcohol dependence.
3. There’s no one way to describe a ‘typical alcoholic’ since alcoholism develops differently from person to person.
4. That is why alcohol detox and alcohol withdrawal treatment is administered by medical professionals.
5. Many young antisocial alcoholics also have other substance use disorders, including addiction to cigarettes, marijuana, and opiates.
6. Although there are many stereotypes about what an alcoholic looks like or how they behave, alcoholism manifests differently in everyone.

Listen to relatives, friends or co-workers when they ask you to examine your drinking habits or to seek help. Consider talking with someone who has had a problem with drinking but has stopped. Family members and friends can recognize the type of alcoholic by observing their loved one’s behaviors and their impact on relationships. Still, professional guidance is often needed to provide effective support.

By better understanding the different types of alcoholics, treatment methods can be personalized to the individual, making them more desirable and effective for a healthy recovery. Chronic severe alcoholics suffer from psychiatric disorders more often than other subtypes of alcoholics, including bipolar disorder, depression, and anxiety disorders. Co-occurring disorders are optimally treated with an integrated program that can help to manage both disorders at the same time. Around one-quarter of intermediate familial alcoholics seek treatment for drinking-related problems.

Traits and Treatment of Young Adult Alcoholics

Young adult alcoholics are most likely to be male and not seek treatment. If you or someone you care about is struggling with substance misuse or addiction, Desert Hope Treatment Center is here to help. Contact an admissions navigator today at to learn more about the available types of addiction treatment, such as outpatient and inpatient rehab in Las Vegas.

The High-Functioning Alcoholic

Chronic severe alcoholics experience the highest alcohol-related emergency room visits, professional and social problems, and withdrawal. These people have an underlying antisocial personality disorder, exhibiting various harmful behaviors. Criminal activity, disregard for safety, impulsiveness, deceitfulness, and a lack of remorse are the defining traits of this group. While binge drinking doesn’t necessarily equate to alcoholism, it can be a precursor or warning sign.

The Binge Drinker

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. The flip side of this coin, however, is that environmental and other factors make up the other half of the risks for the onset of addiction. We publish material that is researched, cited, edited and reviewed by licensed medical professionals.

The chronic severe subtype is the least prevalent, accounting for only about 9 percent of alcoholics.13 However, this group is the most severe, with heavy drinking occurring almost daily. In many cases, you may not expect a functional alcoholic to have a problem. That’s because they can balance their drinking with their personal and professional life.

Not all alcoholics know they suffer from a substance abuse problem because denial is a regular and expected aspect of alcoholism. As exceptions, functional and young antisocial alcoholics are more likely to be alpha-pyrrolidinopentiophenone function aware of their drinking problem. In the U.S., the young antisocial subtype comprises 21% of all alcoholics. The young antisocial alcoholic subtype starts drinking at 15 and develops an AUD around 18. Most young antisocial alcoholics are also male (about three-quarters of the group). To understand this complex and unique disorder, it’s essential to learn the different types of alcoholics.

Of this type, about 76% are male and only 7.6% have received a college degree, although another 13.4% are still in school. Family incomes average around $32,000, the lowest among the subtypes alongside the chronic severe subtype. Young antisocial alcoholics have a high rate of psychiatric disorders and other substance abuse.

Typically, alcohol withdrawal symptoms happen for heavier drinkers. Alcohol withdrawal can begin within hours of ending a drinking session. Many communities have programs that meet frequently that may be helpful for some people. Following diagnosis, a healthcare professional will work with a person to determine the best course of treatment.

Around one-quarter of the functional alcoholic demographic have had at least one major depressive episode in their lives as well. 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. Binge drinking is a pattern of excessive alcohol use that increases the risk for developing tolerance and then physical dependence on alcohol that can then lead to addiction.