Severity is based on the number of criteria a person meets based on their symptoms—mild (2–3 criteria), moderate (4–5 criteria), or severe (6 or more criteria). Long-term alcohol abuse can have severe and long-lasting effects on both the body and mind. One of the most well-known effects is liver damage, which can eventually lead to cirrhosis and even liver failure.
If you or someone you know is struggling with alcohol addiction, there are resources available to help. One such resource is the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) National Helpline. This confidential and free service is available 24/7 and can provide information and referrals to local treatment facilities, support groups, and other resources. AUD affects people from all walks of life, regardless of their age, gender, race, or socioeconomic status. It can lead to serious health problems such as liver damage, heart disease, and cancer. Additionally, it can cause social problems such as job loss, financial difficulties, and relationship issues.
NIAAA researchers found that there were five distinct patterns of alcohol dependence.
Chronic alcohol abuse can lead to changes in brain chemistry that result in mood disorders such as depression and anxiety. Additionally, alcoholism can exacerbate existing mental health issues and make them more difficult to manage. If you or someone you know is struggling with alcohol addiction, it’s important to seek help as soon as possible.
Only 43% of chronic severe alcoholics are employed full-time and 7.6% are unemployed or permanently disabled. Young antisocial alcoholics have a high rate of psychiatric disorders and other substance abuse. This subtype of alcoholics is typically middle-aged, well-educated, and may seem to have it all “together” on the outside. They are likely have a steady job, a seemingly stable family life, and do not often fit into the traditional stereotype of an alcoholic. They have the highest divorce rate — 25.1 percent — of all the alcoholic types. Only 9 percent have gone to college, and only 43 percent are employed full time.
What Are the 5 Alcoholic Subtypes?
Categorization of alcohol dependency enabled consideration of those who were type 1 alcoholic, or, social triggers as well as alcoholic personality types. When subcategories were created, it progressed diagnostic methods as no two types of alcohol dependency are the same. Due consideration to the cause including social, environmental or even genetic factors all aid potential treatment and choosing between inpatient and outpatient alcohol treatment centers. Alcohol is often implicated in exacerbating aggression, and the National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence (NCADD) publishes that 40 percent of all violent crimes cite alcohol as a contributing factor.
However, most of their drinking is binge drinking – they drink 5 or more drinks on 73% of their drinking days. This pattern of alcohol use is more likely to be hazardous than non-binging patterns. By having a better understanding of what type of alcoholic you may be, it can be easier to recognize that you would benefit from an alcohol addiction treatment program. Treatment providers can help you to determine what form of treatment will be optimal for your specific needs and circumstances.
Types of Alcoholics According to the NIAAA
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 five types of alcoholics 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.