5 Types of Alcoholics According to the NIAAA

CBTs help you identify negative thinking, replace it with healthy ones, and react positively. No matter what kind of alcoholic you are, Young Adult, Young Antisocial, Intermediate, Functional, or Chronic Severe, Northpoint Seattle can help you overcome your alcohol abuse problem and attain sobriety. A recovering alcoholic can certainly transition into becoming a recovered alcoholic. And while it might be helpful to categorize someone as a specific type of alcoholic in the beginning, it’s important to show support in whatever way they need to recover.

Harnessing the Power of Dialectical Behavior Therapy to Overcome Substance Abuse

It is known for its aromatic flavor profile, infused with secret spices that give it a unique taste. Stroh is often used in cocktails or enjoyed neat, and its high proof makes it a favorite for those seeking a strong yet flavorful spirit. Originating from the United States, Everclear is a grain alcohol that comes in at 95% ABV (190 proof).

Can People With Alcohol Use Disorder Recover?

• They are also the least likely to seek treatment, which contributes to underdiagnosis.
• She earned her bachelor’s degree in Social Work from Florida Atlantic University, graduating magna cum laude from her class.
• The good news is they’re more likely to seek treatment than those in other groups at 66%.
• For the most part, these people are middle age adults with an education, job, and stable relationships.

The concept of alcohol as a “gateway drug” refers to the theory that the use of alcohol, along with other legal substances like tobacco, leads to the subsequent use of more dangerous illicit drugs. This theory has been the subject of various studies, yielding mixed results regarding the role of alcohol in the progression to other substance use. We do not receive any commission or fee that is dependent upon which treatment provider a caller chooses. Alcohol use disorder is considered a brain disorder, affecting the functioning and structure of the brain, and symptoms can range from mild to moderate to severe.

Are there distinctions in treatment methods for different types of alcoholics?

The chronic severe subtype is the smallest but most severe of all the categories of alcoholism. The chronic severe subtype is characterized by the early onset of drinking, beginning in adolescence, and a rapid progression to alcohol dependence. Mutual-support groups provide peer support for stopping or reducing drinking. Group meetings are available in most communities at low or no cost, and at convenient times and locations—including an increasing presence online. This means they can be especially helpful to individuals at risk for return to drinking.

Of all subtypes, the functional subtype is the least likely to have legal problems; they are the least likely to report problems due to their drinking. They have the highest education levels and incomes of all types of alcoholics. These are people that may seem to have their lives together; they may be the ones that others look up to. However, while they are “functional” in a sense, they are still suffering from addiction. Less than 20% of this subgroup has sought help, and most do so from a 12-step program or a private health care professional.

What are the Types of Drinkers?

They often have steady jobs, relationships, decent family incomes, and have accomplished a higher education. The effort was made to categorize different types of alcoholics, partly to dispel the myth that there is a typical alcoholic. Behavioral treatments—also known as alcohol counseling, or talk therapy, and provided by licensed therapists—are aimed at changing drinking behavior. Severity is based on the number of criteria a person meets based on their symptoms—mild (two to three criteria), moderate (four to five criteria), or severe (six or more criteria). Treatment providers are available 24/7 to answer your questions about rehab, whether it’s for you or a loved one. Submit your number and receive a free call today from a treatment provider.

How Common Are Intermediate Familial Alcoholics?

The main cause of Alcohol Use Disorder in this group is peer influence and the social drinking culture, particularly in college and social settings where excessive alcohol use is normalized. Genetic predisposition and family history of alcoholism also contribute to the development of alcohol dependence in this group. This subtype is common among young men, who exhibit higher rates of heavy alcohol consumption compared to their female counterparts. Many in this group are 5 types of alcoholics according to the niaaa unmarried, and the absence of major family or career obligations contributes to excessive drinking habits.

• Multiple different reasons can spur someone to drink until they’ve become dependent on alcohol.
• They typically participate in 12-Step groups or are treated by private healthcare professionals.
• Even though those in this group tend to drink less than others, binge drinking is a problem.
• There are, however, five identified subtypes of alcoholics as identified by the National Institute of Health.

Given the severity of symptoms, an integrated approach to alcohol treatment is necessary, addressing both mental health conditions and substance use disorders. High-functioning alcoholics often wait until after all their responsibilities are complete before they begin drinking. They tend to be private drinkers and may be self-medicating anxiety, depression, or other mental health symptoms. They may deny they have a drinking problem despite having a tolerance or alcohol withdrawal symptoms when they go without alcohol. Since a chronic severe alcoholic will typically embody what most people imagine when they think of a drunk, they won’t be as likely to deny their alcoholism as other subtypes.

Beyond merely recognizing that there are different types of alcoholics, it is also important to realize that overcoming alcoholism takes years, not just days. Knowing that a recovering alcoholic needs to stay away from the substance altogether can help you overcome substance abuse or support those around you on the road to recovery. This form of alcoholism usually consists of middle-aged drinkers who continue to hold a job and maintain family responsibilities, but often have higher rates of various mental illnesses.

The definition of a standard drink varies by country, but it represents a fixed amount of pure alcohol. According to the NIAAA, in the United States, a standard drink contains about 14 grams (0.6 ounces) of pure alcohol. This amount is found in 12 ounces of beer (5% ABV), 5 ounces of wine (12% ABV), or 1.5 ounces of distilled spirits (40% ABV). Understanding the alcohol content helps in making informed choices about consumption and managing intake responsibly. Distilled alcohol undergoes a process of distillation where fermented liquid is heated to separate alcohol from water, resulting in a higher alcohol content. In contrast, undistilled alcohol, like beer and wine, is produced solely through fermentation, where yeast converts sugars in grains or fruits into alcohol, leading to a lower alcohol content.

Intermediate Familial Subtype: Fran’s Family

This subtype is frequently paired with mental health issues outside of antisocial personality disorder. Yet, an interesting fact about this type is that one-third of them seek treatment, which could be due to the severe issues caused by their antisocial personality. Alcohol serves as a coping mechanism for their antisocial tendencies, exacerbating their behavioral issues. The young antisocial subtype is characterized by individuals who exhibit both alcohol addiction and antisocial behavior. These individuals may have a history of conduct disorder and may continue to engage in criminal activities or display impulsive behaviors.

Young adult drinkers often engage in binge drinking, especially in college settings. This group may not drink daily, but they consume large amounts during drinking sessions. Their drinking can blur the lines between social and unhealthy drinking, often due to an active reward system and an underdeveloped prefrontal cortex. And while to the outside world it looks like Samantha is on top of the world, she has a secret. Like other “functional alcoholics” (which make up about 19.5% of the total), she seems to be handling her life well.