These symptoms can be mistaken for hangovers, but withdrawal lasts much longer, sometimes up to a week or two. Functional alcoholics are often able to maintain their responsibilities despite their drinking. However, signs that someone may be a functional alcoholic include frequently drinking alone, feeling guilty or defensive about their drinking habits, and experiencing withdrawal symptoms when they try to quit. Thankfully, there are many resources available for young adult alcoholics who are ready to seek help. From support groups and counseling services to inpatient treatment programs, there are many different options to choose from.
Who May Be at Risk of Alcohol Use Disorder?
- They may prefer a combination of professional treatment and peer support groups.
- “Denial is huge for any alcoholic, especially for a functioning alcoholic, because I, you know, I’m not living under a bridge.
- They have the highest rate of emergency room visits for their drinking, and they’re likely to suffer medical problems due to alcohol abuse.
However, chronic alcohol abuse can also cause damage to other organs such as the heart, pancreas, and brain. If you or someone you know is struggling with alcohol addiction, there are resources available to help. One such resource is the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) National Helpline. This confidential and free service is available 24/7 and can provide information and referrals to local treatment facilities, support groups, and other resources. AUD affects people from all walks of life, regardless of their age, gender, race, or socioeconomic status.
What Treatment Options Are Available for Alcoholism?
Experts in the field of addiction say these categories are more than just labels — they can also be useful tools in treating alcoholism. Because there’s no one-size-fits-all solution when it comes to treating an alcohol addiction, understanding a person’s alcoholic subtype can help patients and physicians identify the most effective form of treatment. They are more likely to seek treatment for their drinking than the previous two subtypes, as they may recognize the impact of alcohol on their lives and relationships. Someone in the intermediate familial alcoholics subtype is usually employed, but they may have lower levels of education and income than the functional subtype. Functional alcoholics make up about 19% of people with alcohol use disorder in the US. They are mostly in their forties or fifties and have stable jobs and families.
How do the 5 Types of Alcoholics Differ in Terms of Their Drinking Patterns and Behaviors?
They may also teach life skills to help maintain sobriety in difficult situations and provide support that decreases the chance of a relapse. Copers drink to avoid life’s worries and feelings of depression and anxiety. Many 5 types of alcoholics drink heavily, and they tend to experience more alcohol-related problems than other drinkers. Copers will likely experience long-term consequences from their avoidant behavior when they fail to address underlying issues.
Chronic Severe Subtype
- They tend to go to self-help groups, specialty treatment programs, detox programs, and treatment with individual health care providers.
- If you or someone you know is struggling with alcohol addiction, reach out for help today.
- It’s also important to note that functional alcoholics may be at higher risk for health problems such as liver disease and high blood pressure.
- This group also tends to spend significant amounts of time recovering from alcohol, and many experience reduced activities due to drinking.
They are also the most likely to participate in detox programs at inpatient treatment centers with private health care providers. Of the five alcoholic subtypes, intermediate familial individuals have the highest employment rates and an average family income of $50,000 yearly. While functional alcoholics may not binge drink, they do drink more alcohol than the average person. Most functional alcoholics are middle-aged (around 41) who started drinking around age 18. The young antisocial alcoholic subtype starts drinking at 15 and develops an AUD around 18.
Getting Treatment Before It Is Too Late
Less than 20% of this subgroup has sought help, and most do so from a 12-step program or a private health care professional. Alcoholism is a serious problem that affects millions of people around the world. There are many types of alcoholism, including functional alcoholics, young adult alcoholics, and chronic severe alcoholics. Close to 80 percent of chronic severe alcoholics have a genetic and familial link to alcoholism, meaning that a close family member also suffered, or suffers, from alcoholism. Chronic severe alcoholics abuse other drugs at higher rates than the other subtypes of alcoholics as well. People who regularly drink heavily may experience severe or dangerous alcohol withdrawal symptoms if they quit cold turkey.
In addition to therapy and support groups, medication-assisted treatment (MAT) is another option for those struggling with alcoholism. MAT uses medications like naltrexone or acamprosate to reduce cravings and withdrawal symptoms, making it easier for individuals to quit drinking. If you have a family history of alcoholism and are concerned about your own drinking habits, speak with your healthcare provider or seek out resources like Alcoholics Anonymous or counseling services. Remember that early intervention is key to preventing the negative consequences of alcohol addiction. While environmental and social factors can contribute to alcoholism, research has shown that genetics also play a significant role. Studies have found that individuals with a family history of alcoholism are at a higher risk for developing the disease themselves.
How Do the 5 Types of Alcoholics Impact Treatment Approaches and Interventions?
In addition, this type of alcoholism can co-occur with smoking cigarettes, marijuana, and/or cocaine abuse. This is a unique category of alcoholism, referring to adult alcoholics or individuals of middle age who are typically well-educated and outwardly appear to have a ‘normal’ and put-together life. Individuals in this category are not fully developed, meaning that the brain can undergo significant developmental damage as a result of high alcohol consumption.
Chronic Severe Alcoholic Subtype
While there is no cure for alcoholism, it is possible to achieve long-term recovery and manage the disease. Treatment options such as therapy, support groups, and medication-assisted treatment can help individuals overcome addiction and develop strategies to maintain sobriety. The different types of alcoholics are not meant as a diagnostic tool to figure out if someone is suffering from an alcohol use disorder. Rather, by knowing which alcoholic personality type you or a loved are acts as a guide to finding the best treatment and prevention methods. They have low rates of co-occuring mental health issues and having an alcoholic family member. However, some do struggle with other addictions such as to cigarettes or marijuana.
