The chronic severe subtype makes up the smallest percentage of alcoholics, with only 9.2%. This group tends to start drinking at a young age (around 15) but typically develops an alcohol dependence at an intermediate age (around 29). Seventy-seven percent of this group have close family members with alcoholism, the highest percentage of any subtype. And 47% of the members of this group exhibit antisocial personality disorder, the second highest rate of any subtype.
Medical Professionals
According to the NIAAA, to determine the level of severity, individuals are asked questions similar to what’s listed below. The number of times an individual answers “yes” to one of those questions helps to determine the severity level — mild (2–3 criteria), moderate (4–5 criteria), or severe (6 or more criteria). More than 80% of this group experiences acute alcohol withdrawal and persistent efforts to cut down, and more than 90% experience https://wyomingdigest.com/top-5-advantages-of-staying-in-a-sober-living-house/ drinking despite the problems it causes them and drinking larger amounts and for longer than intended. This group also tends to spend significant amounts of time recovering from alcohol, and many experience reduced activities due to drinking. This group also sees the highest rate of emergency room visits due to drinking. Daily drinking can have serious consequences for a person’s health, both in the short- and long-term.
How Do People Become Alcoholics?
Some people may transition between different alcoholic types based on changing life circumstances, but this probability depends on various factors, including their response to treatment. In the U.S., the intermediate Sober House familial alcoholic subtype comprises 19% of all alcoholics. Intermediate familial alcoholics are similar to functional ones but are more likely born with a genetic predisposition to alcoholism.
The Binge Drinker
About 31 percent of functional alcoholics have a family member with alcohol use disorder. Although they have low rates of anxiety disorders, they have about a 24 percent probability of having major depression. 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.
- At The Recovery Village, we offer evidence-based treatment methods that can address every aspect of each client’s treatment needs.
- Labels such as ‘alcoholic’ do nothing to help a person with the disorder get the help they need.
- For instance, when co-occurring mental health conditions are also present, an integrated treatment plan is ideal.
- Drinking at parties or after work with coworkers has, for many people, become a ritual that makes up an expected part of their week.