Alcoholism is one of the most prevalent forms of addiction, but it doesnโt impact everyone in the same way. To better describe how people can be affected by this disorder, researchers have identified five different types of alcoholism.
Are you or a loved one struggling with addiction? Our team is available now to answer your questions, discuss treatment options, and verify your insurance. Take the first step toward healingโcall us today to get started.
What Is Alcoholism?
Alcoholism is an informal term that refers to a behavioral health condition called alcohol use disorder. It is also commonly referred to as alcohol addiction. Regardless of which term is used, this disease is characterized by an inability to control how much or how often a person drinks.ย
As established in the fifth edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5), a person must have at least two of the following 11 symptoms to be diagnosed alcoholism:
- Frequently using alcohol in larger amounts or for a longer period of time than intended
- Having a persistent desire or several unsuccessful efforts to reduce their alcohol use
- Spending a considerable amount of time acquiring and using alcohol, as well as recovering from its effects
- Having powerful cravings for alcohol
- Failing to fulfill their obligations at home, in school, or at work as a result of their alcohol use
- Continuing to drink even after experiencing social problems or relationship difficulties as a result of their alcohol use
- Giving up important activities because of their drinking
- Often using alcohol in circumstances that are obviously hazardous, such as by combining alcohol with other drugs, or drinking and driving
- Continuing to drink even after incurring some type of physical or psychological harm that was caused or worsened by their alcohol use
- Developing tolerance, which means that they need to drink more than they used to in order to experience the effects of alcohol
- Developing withdrawal symptoms when the abruptly end or significantly reduce their alcohol use
The DSM-5 includes three severity specifiers that are based on how many of the 11 diagnostic symptoms a person is currently exhibiting:
- Mild: Two or three symptoms
- Moderate: Four or five symptoms
- Severe: Six or more symptoms
What Are the Different Types of Alcoholism?
With the exception of the mild, moderate, and severe specifiers noted in the previous section, the DSM-5 doesnโt include entries for different types of alcoholism. However, this doesnโt mean that different types donโt actually exist.
In August 2007, researchers with the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA) announced that they had identified five distinct subtypes of alcoholism. This finding was based on an analysis of data collected during the 2001-2002 National Epidemiologic Survey on Alcohol and Related Conditions.ย
The five subtypes identified by the NIAAA team were Young Adult, Young Antisocial, Functional, Intermediate Familiar, and Chronic Severe.
Young Adult Subtype
According to the NIAAA, this is the most common type of alcoholism, comprising an estimated 31.5% of people who have the disorder.ย
Only about one-fifth of the people within this subtype typically have a family history of alcoholism. They are unlikely to abuse other substances or have co-occurring mental health disorders, and most do not seek help for their addiction to alcohol.
Young Antisocial Subtype
Common characteristics of the members of this subtype include:
- In their mid-20s
- Began drinking at a relatively young age
- More than 50% have a family history of alcoholism
- Many have anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, or antisocial personality disorder
- More than 75% use tobacco and marijuana
- Many are also addicted to cocaine or opioids
- More than 33% will eventually seek help for their addiction to alcohol
The NIAAA researchers estimated that about 21% of alcoholics in the U.S. meet the criteria for inclusion in the Young Antisocial subtype.
Functional Subtype
This subtype of alcoholism primarily includes middle-aged people, most of whom have solid educational backgrounds, stable jobs, and families.
Other common traits of those in the Functional subtype of alcoholism include:
- 25% have a history of major depressive disorder
- 33% of have multigenerational family histories of alcoholism
- 50% used tobacco
This subtype of slightly smaller than the Young Antisocial group, with the NIAAA team estimating that it encompasses about 19.5% of people in the U.S. who have alcohol use disorder.
Intermediate Familiar Subtype
This subtype is about the same size as the previous one. It includes about 19% of people in the U.S. with alcoholism.
Features of people in the Intermediate Familiar subtype include:
- Most are middle-aged
- About half have multigenerational family histories of alcoholism
- Just under one half have personal histories of depression
- About one in five have bipolar disorder
- Most use tobacco, and almost one in five have used cocaine and marijuana
The NIAAA team estimated that about 25% of people in this subtype will eventually seek help for their compulsive alcohol use.ย
Chronic Severe Subtype
This is the smallest of the five different types of alcoholism identified by the NIAAA. It includes about 9% of people in the U.S. who are addicted to alcohol.
Typical characteristics of this group include:
- Most are middle-aged
- Most began drinking (and developed alcoholism) at a relatively young age
- Many have histories of criminal behaviors
- Highest rates of antisocial personality disorder, anxiety, depression, and bipolar disorder of all subtypes
- Elevated rates of tobacco and marijuana use
- High prevalence of addictions to cocaine and opioids
The NIAAA researchers estimated that more than 67% of people in the Chronic Severe subtype will seek treatment for alcohol use disorder.ย
Find Treatment for Alcoholism in Georgia
If you have become dependent on alcohol, please know that help is available and treatment works.ย
Serenity Grove offers a full continuum of personalized care for adults whose lives have been disrupted by alcoholism. We also provide dual diagnosis services to patients who have anxiety, depression, and other co-occurring mental health concerns.ย
Treatment options at our addiction rehab in Atlanta, GA, include:
- Detoxification (detox)
- Residential treatment
- Partial hospitalization program (PHP)
- Intensive outpatient program (IOP)
- Outpatient program (OP)
Our team of experienced professionals will work closely with you to understand the full scope of your needs, then identify the programs, therapies, and support services that are right for you. With our help and a concerted effort on your part, you can end your alcohol use and build a foundation for a much healthier and more satisfying life in recovery.
To learn more about how we can help you or a loved one, or to schedule a free consultation, please visit our Admissions page or call us today.
