Types of Alcoholics

Alcoholism impacts an estimated 28.9 million people per year in the U.S. alone. But, recognizing the signs of alcohol addiction isn’t always easy. Some people may still be in the earlier stages of alcohol addiction. Others may hide it well, making it harder to identify changes in behavior. Everyone who suffers from alcohol addiction has a different journey. The following article covers the different types of alcoholics, to help loved ones recognize when someone might be struggling.

A functional alcoholic is someone who is still able to function in their daily life despite their dependency on alcohol. They are able to continue doing daily tasks like going to work or providing for their family while experiencing the cycle of alcohol addiction, including stages like intoxication. It may be hard to detect when someone is a functional alcoholic, as changes to their behavior are less noticeable. However, the impact on mental and physical health can still be the same.

Intermediate familial accounts for about 19% of alcoholics in the United States. These individuals suffering from alcoholism come from a family history of alcoholism. Studies have shown that genetics play a role in the risk of alcoholism for some individuals with certain genetic variants. Intermediate familial alcoholics tend to start at a younger age and have a higher probability of mental illness. Similar to a functional alcoholic, an intermediate familial is likely to have a full-time job that they have maintained while suffering from alcoholism.

A young antisocial alcoholic is characterized as having a history of antisocial behavior. About half have a family history of alcoholic abuse. In addition, they tend to start at a younger age, with a majority of this subtype being males in their 20s. Antisocial behavior can put someone at risk of alcoholism due to shared characteristics between the two, including environmental influences, impulsivity, and risk-taking. 

The young antisocial subtype of alcoholism goes hand-in-hand with coping. In social environments or uncomfortable settings, an antisocial person might cope to drink with their current situation. It also numbs problems and reduces inhibitions, common for people with antisocial personality disorder (ASPD).

Chronic severe alcoholism is a serious subtype of alcohol use disorder in which a person has a physical dependence on alcohol. It occurs in only about 9% of all individuals with alcohol addiction. Alcoholics who have consumed alcohol frequently and heavily over a long course of time can experience withdrawal in as little as six hours. While they tend to begin drinking at a younger age, chronic severe alcoholics tend to be older in age, as they have consumed alcohol frequently over a long course of time.

About 31.5% of alcoholics are young adults. This is the largest subtype of alcoholism. Socially, there is a lot of encouragement for young adults to drink. Bars attract those in their 20s and 30s, college parties frequently encourage the consumption of alcohol, and most young adults experience their first drinks during this time. The encouragement socially to experiment with alcoholic consumption contributes to the number of young adults drinking. While not every young adult becomes an alcoholic, it does provide a gateway to those more prone to alcohol addiction, leading to it being the largest subtype.

No matter what subtype of alcoholism someone falls under, there is help. Behavioral Health Centers offers inpatient and outpatient addiction treatment programs, as well as a detox program. For those with serious cases of alcohol addiction, especially long-term alcoholism, may need a detox first before seeking further rehab options. 

In addition to the help from Behavioral Health Centers, there are statewide and nationwide programs to help those suffering from addiction. If you or a loved one are experiencing severe physical health implications from alcohol addiction, contact emergency medical services immediately. Some cases of alcohol abuse require hospitalization or cause a detrimental risk to overall health. Hotlines are also available to those who need immediate help.