What Are The Subtypes of Alcoholics?

The functional subtype is what you might think of when you hear “functional alcoholics.” Making up 19.5% of alcoholics, this is the group that is https://ecosoberhouse.com/ holding down jobs and relationships. Members of this group generally start drinking later (around 18) and develop an alcohol dependence later (around 37). This group suffers from moderate rates of depression but lower rates of most other co-occurring disorders. Many members of this group smoke cigarettes, but few have other substance use disorders.

• The best type of treatment will depend on your treatment needs and individual circumstances.
• The functional subtype of alcoholism represents approximately 19 percent of individuals with AUD.
• This group also tends to spend significant amounts of time recovering from alcohol, and many experience reduced activities due to drinking.

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• Intermediate familial alcoholics are similar to functional ones but are more likely born with a genetic predisposition to alcoholism.
• It is important to note that not all young adults who engage in heavy drinking develop AUD, but for those who do, early intervention is crucial in preventing the development of more severe symptoms and complications.
• Get professional help from an online addiction and mental health counselor from BetterHelp.
• Around one-third of these alcoholics end up seeking treatment for addiction.
• The term “functional alcoholic” was coined due to these individuals’ ability to continue working and maintaining their responsibilities despite dealing with a severe addiction to alcohol.

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. If you or someone you know suffers from alcohol use disorder, seek treatment as soon as possible. Chronic severe alcoholics experience the highest alcohol-related emergency room visits, professional and social problems, and withdrawal. When heavy or binge drinking is the norm in a family, people tend to fall into drinking as normal behavior.

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• At The Recovery Village, we offer evidence-based treatment methods that can address every aspect of each client’s treatment needs.
• Highly trained professionals can guide families and loved ones into a treatment program that will be optimal for enhancing a sustained recovery.
• If you or someone you know is struggling with alcohol addiction, there are resources available to help.

Additionally, their behavior can be unpredictable and dangerous, both to themselves and to those around them. When dealing with alcoholism, seeking the appropriate treatment and support is crucial for recovery. Different individuals may require different approaches based on their specific needs and circumstances. In this section, we will explore some common treatment options and support systems available for individuals struggling with alcoholism.

How to Recognize if Someone Has a Drinking Problem?

Treatment for individuals in this subtype often requires intensive intervention and ongoing support. The intermediate familial subtype is characterized by a strong family history of alcoholism. Individuals 5 types of alcoholics in this group often have at least one close family member who struggles with alcohol addiction. They may have a genetic predisposition to alcoholism and face an increased risk of developing alcohol dependency themselves.

Intervals can last up to years if the drinker does not find any motivation to binge drink. If binge drinking happens more frequently, the epsilon alcoholic may become a gamma alcoholic. Chronic severe alcoholics have the highest rate of family members who also experience alcohol dependence at77%. Knowing where you or your loved one falls under the five categories of alcoholics can help you recognize and understand the signs of a developing addiction. Since the causes of alcoholism vary from person to person, the best treatment for one might not work for the next.

While treatment for all alcoholics remains generally similar, some may respond better to different addiction support types than others. Of the alcoholism subtypes, functional individuals are less likely to relapse. They often have steady Halfway house jobs, relationships, decent family incomes, and have accomplished a higher education. What does matter is the amount of alcohol consumed and not all drinks are created equal.

• This type of alcoholic represents the smallest percentage of alcoholics of all the categories.
• Kelly is a board certified Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner who earned her Master of Science degree in Nursing with a concentration in mental health at Fairleigh Dickinson University.
• They may hide their alcohol consumption and may not display obvious signs of intoxication.
• Being able to determine the severity of alcoholism can help physicians determine the best course of treatment for alcoholics.

As the name suggests, this category of alcoholism refers to individuals who have developed an addiction as a result of those around them – their close friends and, more often, their family. 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. These different categories of alcoholism affect individuals differently, with different consequences.