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By identifying with a particular subtype, individuals may find solace in knowing that others have faced similar challenges and have successfully overcome them. This knowledge can provide a sense of hope and motivation throughout the recovery process. Almost 66 percent of chronic severe alcoholics have sought help for their alcoholism.
Seeking Help and Support
However, they may experience frequent blackouts and other negative consequences as a result of their drinking. It's also important to note that functional alcoholics may be at higher risk for health problems such as liver disease and high blood pressure. Alcoholism is a serious disease that can have devastating consequences if left untreated.
Only 8.7 percent of young adult alcohol dependents have ever sought treatment for their drinking problem. If they do choose to seek help, they tend to prefer 12-step programs over specialty treatment clinics or private professional practices. Alcoholism manifests in a spectrum of behaviors and traits, varying widely across different subtypes. Understanding these traits helps grasp the complexities of alcohol use disorder (AUD).
Overview of Alcohol Use Disorder and Its Severity Levels
Changes in lifestyle, environment, and treatment outcomes can all influence its shift. The treatment for intermediate familial subtypes of alcoholics includes self-help groups, detoxification programs, and behavioral therapies. The intermediate familial subtype encompasses individuals with Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD) who often begin drinking during their teenage years and develop alcohol dependence in their early thirties. This group is middle-aged and has a notable familial link to alcoholism, with many having close relatives who also struggle with alcohol dependence.
Substance Use Patterns
They may hold stable jobs, maintain relationships, and fulfill their daily responsibilities, which can make it challenging to identify their alcohol-related issues. Alcohol dependence can cause significant disruptions in both personal and professional spheres. Individuals may experience strained relationships with family and friends due to altered thinking patterns, leading to reliance on alcohol as a coping mechanism. Furthermore, financial hardships may arise as excessive spending on alcohol takes a toll, and workplace issues, such as absenteeism and reduced performance, often follow alcohol misuse. Just as alcoholism wreaks havoc on social relationships, it can create a troubling cycle of job-related problems, further exacerbating the cycle of dependence. This progression underscores the critical importance of recognizing early signs of alcohol misuse.
This group has a higher education level than most but not as high as the functional subtype. More members of this group have full-time jobs than any other, but their income level tends to be lower than the functional subtype. While this group is not especially likely to seek treatment, those that do tend to attend self-help groups, specialty treatment programs, detoxification programs, and private health care providers.
- The label "young antisocial" refers to antisocial personality disorder, which half of the people in this group exhibit.
- Download our app today to find out how virtual medication-assisted treatment for alcohol use can help you achieve your recovery goals.
- These are just a few examples of the possible medications a healthcare provider may prescribe.
- However, the National Institutes of Health (NIH) performed a study to categorize different alcoholics to note their similarities.
- The three main types of alcoholic drinks are beer, wine, and spirits.
These individuals also have high rates of cigarette, marijuana, and cocaine addiction. Instead, the chronic severe type is often unemployed or finds it hard to stay at a job long-term. They experience broken or unhealthy relationships due to their alcohol misuse, which may lead to bouts of violence. Compared to other subtypes, this group has a higher occurrence of co-occurring disorders, including major depression, bipolar disorder, and anxiety disorders. Many individuals also struggle with alcohol withdrawal symptoms, making treatment more complex.
Medical Disclaimer
Whether you participate in inpatient or outpatient treatment, there are effective treatment methods for the types of alcohol addiction. Your treatment team will recommend techniques based on your situation, including the following. Medication-assisted treatment (MAT) is often part of a treatment for the types of alcohol addiction. Acamprosate, naltrexone, and disulfiram are three approved treatment medications for alcohol withdrawal management and recovery. Functional alcoholism refers to people who have an alcohol dependence but can function at work, at home, at school, and socially. Their drinking behaviors do not seem to interfere with accomplishing their daily responsibilities.
- People in this group have likely experienced job loss, homelessness, estranged relationships, and serious health issues due to their drinking.
- These individuals tend to avoid alcohol due to these effects, which in turn helps protect them from developing AUD.
- This subtype typically starts drinking at an early age and has a higher likelihood of substance abuse disorders.
If you try to reduce your consumption or quit alcohol cold turkey and experience withdrawal symptoms, you have likely developed AUD. Your body has become dependent on alcohol and responds with physical and psychological discomfort when alcohol is cut off. Some common alcohol withdrawal symptoms include sweating, shaking, nausea, irritability, and anxiety. These symptoms can be mistaken for hangovers, but withdrawal lasts much longer, sometimes up to a week or two. Since the Jellinek era, further studies have expanded on his typology, incorporating drug addiction additional dimensions and defining characteristics.