The intermediate familial subtype is a group of alcoholics with a family history of alcoholism. Members of this subgroup have an increased risk of suffering from major depression, antisocial personality disorder (ASPD), bipolar disorder, and obsessive-compulsive personality disorder at some point in their lives. They are also more likely to suffer from cannabis and/or https://ecosoberhouse.com/article/5-alcoholic-types-in-alcoholism/ cocaine use disorder. Intermediate familial alcoholics had their first drink at 17 and developed dependence at the age of 32. This subtype of alcoholics is relatively young, about 26 to 27 years old, with 75 percent being male. They began drinking the earliest of all five types, at around 15 years-old, with the average age of dependency starting at age 18.

NIAAA reports on a national survey that found that 60 percent of college students between the ages of 18 and 22 drank alcohol in the past month, and nearly two out of every three of these students binge drank during that month. Binge drinking is a pattern of excessive alcohol use that increases the risk for developing tolerance and then physical dependence on alcohol that can then lead to addiction. According to NIAAA, around 20 percent of college students struggle with alcohol addiction. Because they surround themselves with other heavy drinkers, they may have a difficult time recognizing that their drinking has become a problem. 31% of the people in the U.S. who are addicted to alcohol are individuals in the young adult subtype.

Getting Help for Alcoholism

This is of particular concern when you’re taking certain medications that also depress the brain’s function. If your pattern of drinking results in repeated significant distress and problems functioning in your daily life, you likely have alcohol use disorder. However, even a mild disorder can escalate and lead to serious problems, so early treatment is important. Given the patient’s age, which may make her prone to forgetfulness, and her relative isolation, my choice of pharmacotherapy would be an injectable extended-release formulation of naltrexone (Vivitrol). The efficacy and adverse-event profile of this formulation, administered on a monthly basis, are similar to those of oral naltrexone. Pharmacotherapy should be accompanied by a brief intervention (e.g., brief behavioral compliance enhancement treatment or medical management).

An example of a functional alcoholic is an individual who is able to maintain a certain level of personal and professional success, but likely has an underlying struggle with irresistible cravings brought by alcohol use disorder. There may be other mental health issues that occur along with a personality disorder. Someone who is a young adult subtype alcoholic might have an average of 14 drinks a day when they drink. Someone in a young adult subtype might drink less than other types of alcoholics.

DSM-5 Definition of Alcohol Use Disorder

If you find that the above descriptions resemble you or a loved one, you’re not alone. At The Recovery Village, we offer evidence-based treatment methods that can address every aspect of each client’s treatment needs. We want to guide you down the path to recovery – call today to learn more. While it’s possible for some to live a long life without quitting alcohol, the odds are stacked against many others who will eventually encounter serious health issues related to alcohol. At 31.5 percent, young adults are the largest group of problem drinkers in the country. Even after formal treatment ends, many people seek additional support through continued involvement in such groups.

The subtype can determine the choice of pharmacotherapy (14), as discussed below; however, subtype classification of alcoholism remains somewhat controversial. For example, some researchers have proposed more elaborate classification schemes, with up to four subtypes that might respond differentially to particular therapeutic agents (15, 16). A young antisocial alcoholic is a person who started drinking young and exhibits symptoms of antisocial personality disorder. Other common co-occurring conditions affecting this group include depression, anxiety and bipolar disorders.

The 5 Types of Alcoholics

Severe or binge drinking may have long-term negative health consequences, even among those who avoid injuries. Those who drink severely or binge drink between the ages of 18 and 24 are more likely to progress to alcohol abuse or dependence diagnoses (29, 30). Despite being at particularly high risk, college students do not differ from non-college students in rate of meeting criteria for alcohol dependence, although results are mixed on whether the two groups differ in alcohol abuse rates (31, 32). Because episodic severe or binge drinking and alcohol use disorders are common among all emerging adults, research on college students generalizes well to other emerging adults. However, their residence status is related to risk for diagnosis, with more alcohol abuse and less alcohol dependence occurring among students living off campus (31). Many people who fall into the young antisocial alcoholic subtype suffer from other mental health disorders as well, such as bipolar disorder, anxiety disorders, or depression.

They tend to drink alcohol every other day, an average of 181 days per year, and they consume five or more drinks on 54% of those days. Over half of this subtype have a family history of alcoholism and suffer from antisocial personality disorder. Around one-third of these alcoholics end up seeking treatment for addiction. Almost 66 percent of chronic severe alcoholics have sought help for their alcoholism. They have the highest rates of attendance at self-help groups, detoxification programs, and specialty rehabilitation programs, and the highest rates of treatment in inpatient programs. When seeking treatment, they tend to turn to social workers, psychologists, psychiatrists, and private physicians.

Although members of this group continue to function in society while drinking, functional alcoholics still have the same medical issues as other alcoholics due to their high volume of drinking. Every alcoholic is different, from their reasons for drinking to their methods of trying to cope with life as they drink. Because of this, how you treat an alcoholic must change according to circumstances. There are certain types of alcoholics and knowing about the various types can help you deal with individual situations more easily. Additionally, young antisocial alcoholics have a high probability of having other substance use disorders. About three-quarters of them are regular smokers, and 66 percent meet the marijuana abuse/dependence criteria.

Our program options range from intensive residential treatment to outpatient care. If you are looking for treatment programs, contact North Jersey Recovery Center. If you are concerned about your drinking patterns or someone else’s drinking habits, the below questions are ones you may want to ask yourself or your loved one to determine if there is a problem or not. We know that one of the underlying risk factors for alcoholism is genetics. Problematic patterns of drinking can also be troublesome in terms of relationships. When you’re a young adult, partying and drinking may seem like something everyone is doing at that age.

The Symptoms of Alcohol Withdrawal

Almost 21 percent of alcohol abusers in the United States fall into the young antisocial type [2]. Individuals in this subtype typically start drinking in their mid-teens and become addicted to alcohol by the age of 18. In addition, they are more likely to smoke and abuse other drugs including marijuana, cocaine, and opiates.

• Private healthcare providers and specialty treatment programs may offer tailored services to those struggling with this subtype.
• If you or a loved one is struggling with alcohol use disorder, you should seek help right away.
• If your pattern of drinking results in repeated significant distress and problems functioning in your daily life, you likely have alcohol use disorder.
• They tend to have higher levels of education and higher incomes than other types of people who are addicted to alcohol.