Learn what factors affect outcomes and which treatment option fits your recovery needs. We’re here 24/7 to help guide you or your loved on through rehab and recovery. These are just a few examples of the possible medications a healthcare provider may prescribe.
Confidant Health: Customized Virtual Treatment for AUD
They often exhibit impulsive behavior, seeking excitement and risk-taking opportunities. Social pressures and the desire to fit in with peers can contribute to their alcohol consumption. When examining alcoholism, it becomes evident that there are distinct subtypes that individuals may fall under. Understanding these 5 types of alcoholics is essential for proper identification and intervention. The types include the Young Adult Subtype, Young Antisocial Subtype, Functional Subtype, Intermediate Familial Subtype, and Chronic Severe Subtype.
- The severity of alcohol abuse in Type II alcoholics tends to remain stable over time rather than progressively worsening.
- They can assess the severity of the alcohol use disorder and develop personalized treatment plans tailored to the individual’s needs.
- The symptoms of alcohol consumption can begin long before you become intoxicated or even legally impaired and begin with the first drink.
- The Young Adult subtype typically involves individuals between the ages of 18 to 25 who engage in heavy episodic drinking.
- Outpatient treatment is less intensive than inpatient treatment but still effective for some people with AUD.
What Interventions Can Reduce Harmful Drinking?
What separates this type from the young adult subtype is the presence of co-occurring antisocial behaviors and often other substance use. Unlike other subtypes, these individuals may not experience major legal, financial, or health issues right away, making it hard to spot until the pattern becomes ingrained. However, the risks are significant—alcohol-related injuries, blackouts, and the progression to more serious alcohol dependence later in life. When someone searches for “types of alcoholics,” they’re often trying to understand themselves—or someone they care about—better. Maybe you’ve noticed troubling drinking patterns in a loved one but can’t tell if it’s just stress or something deeper. Or maybe your own relationship with alcohol has changed, and you’re looking for answers that make sense of the chaos.
ADDICTION
These individuals are the most-educated and well-off out of all categories, and half of them are most likely to be married. Although these alcoholics appear to be functional, they still suffer from an addiction to alcohol. Less than 20 percent of this category seek help, and most do so through a 12-step program or private health care professional. Since the Jellinek era, further studies have expanded on his typology, incorporating additional dimensions and defining characteristics.
What Really Happens After You Stop Drinking Alcohol Following Daily Use
This could involve consulting a mental health professional or addiction specialist, who can provide individual or group therapy and counseling, as well as medication-assisted treatment (MAT). MAT is an evidence-based treatment that uses medications, such as naltrexone, to curb cravings and the symptoms of withdrawal. This kind of approach makes it easier for individuals to stop drinking. As we explore the types of alcohol consumption, it’s important to recognize the diversity amongst drinkers. The spectrum of drinking behaviors is varied, ranging from individuals who enjoy a casual drink at dinner to those struggling with chronic and severe alcohol dependence.
Remember, you are not alone in your journey, and seeking help is a sign of strength. Each of these triggers serves as a reminder of how deeply intertwined alcohol addiction is with individual circumstances. Addressing the root causes of drinking helps create pathways to a more sustainable recovery. For resources and support, explore the stages of alcoholism and recovery to begin your healing process today.
- Consider talking with someone who has had a problem with drinking but has stopped.
- The lack of alcohol can also activate the extended amygdala, making them feel more stressed.
- Approaches that include behavioral therapy, structure, and accountability (such as inpatient programs or legal consequences) tend to work best.
- The young adult who binge drinks on weekends needs different help than the middle-aged functional alcoholic or the person with severe, chronic alcoholism.
- Alcohol misuse—which includes binge drinking and heavy alcohol use—over time increases the risk of alcohol use disorder (AUD).
Young antisocial alcoholics
For example, someone in this Types of Alcoholics category may exhibit aggressive tendencies, avoid authority figures, or engage in impulsive behavior like theft or vandalism while intoxicated. The next largest group of alcoholics is called the functional subtype, accounting for 19.5% of alcoholics. They typically develop their alcohol dependency in their late 30s, they might smoke or suffer from depression and they are slightly more likely to be male. A functional alcoholic is more likely to have alcoholism in their family history than other subtypes.