Different Types of Alcoholics

Not all addiction impacts people the same way. Alcoholism is no different and has a spectrum with levels of severity and impacts on social behavior. You have probably met people you had no idea were alcoholics, and you’ve likely also known someone who struggles outwardly but to a lesser extent. so are there different types of alcoholics?

Keep reading to learn about the types of alcoholics to differentiate the diverse needs of people with alcohol use disorder (AUD). Regardless of the type of alcoholic, AUD is a damaging disease that requires professional intervention, just like any other medical condition.

What is an Alcoholic?

An alcoholic is a person who has developed a dependence on alcohol to a significant extent. They have intense cravings for alcohol paired with an inability to control drinking behavior. They have developed a physical dependence, which can lead to withdrawal symptoms when drinking is stopped suddenly. Alcoholics have increased their alcohol tolerance over time, meaning they need increasing amounts of alcohol to achieve the same effect.

Different Types of Alcoholics

Compiled from data from a 2007 study conducted by the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, five main types of alcoholics were identified. The five types are differentiated by age group and family history, as well as how apparent alcohol misuse is for each individual.

Even though there are 5 identified types of alcoholics, all are serious medical conditions that should be treated by a professional treatment team.

Young Adult Alcoholics

The most common type of alcoholic is the young adult type, which makes up about 31.5 percent of the alcoholics in the US. Young adult drinkers are 18 to 25 years old. They tend to have a low rate of alcoholism in their families and experience relatively low rates of co-occurring substance abuse.

Unfortunately, young adult alcoholics also rarely seek help for their drinking. In fact, their drinking behaviors may fly under the radar as “normal” for their age group.

Young Antisocial Alcoholics

This group tends to include people in their mid-twenties who already have been drinking for many years. Making up 21 percent of U.S. alcoholics, the young antisocial type often comes from families with alcoholism. Approximately 50% of this group has an Antisocial Personality Disorder diagnosis, and many also struggle with major depression, bipolar disorder, and anxiety problems.

Polysubstance use is common among young antisocials, with over 75% also misusing tobacco, cannabis, cocaine, or opiates. Over 33% of these alcoholics seek help for their alcoholism.

Functional Alcoholics

The term “functional alcoholic” is used colloquially to describe someone who is typically middle-aged and well-educated, with job stability and a family. This type of alcoholic drinks excessively but does not appear to have an obvious problem with alcohol. Nearly 20% of alcoholics make up this category, and many have a multigenerational family history of alcoholism.

Intermediate Familial Alcoholics

This group includes middle-aged individuals, the majority of whom come from families with generations of alcohol addiction. Intermediate familial alcoholics often suffer from depression and other mood disorders. Of alcoholics in the U.S., approximately 19 percent identify with this group, and only 1 in 4 intermediate familial individuals has sought addiction treatment.

Chronic Severe Alcoholics

The smallest group of alcoholic types, the chronic severe alcoholic makes up about
Nine percent of U.S. alcoholics. These are primarily middle-aged folks who started using alcohol as early as their teen years and have a family history of alcohol addiction. Someone in this group probably isn’t able to hide their alcoholism well, though over two-thirds of these alcoholics seek treatment–it’s the group most likely to be in rehab.

Chronic severe alcoholics have a high incidence rate of co-occurring psychiatric disorders, as well as a high incidence of polysubstance use.

Signs and Symptoms of Alcoholism

Many symptoms of alcoholism are evident to others, but some traits are more hidden. Here are some common signs and symptoms indicating that a person may be struggling with alcoholism:

• Having intense cravings for alcohol
• Inability to limit drinking or stop once started
• Withdrawal symptoms like nausea, sweating, or shaking when not drinking
• High alcohol tolerance
• Prioritizing drinking over family or other important obligations
• Relationship issues or conflict due to alcohol use
• Increased risk-taking behaviors
• Spending a lot of time obtaining, using, or recovering from alcohol
• Continued alcohol use despite negative health or social consequences