I’m an author, speaker, and passionate guide for people healing from growing up with an alcoholic parent.You’re not alone. The Lost Child represents adult children of alcoholics who fade into the background and are overshadowed by other family members, leaving them alone and forgotten. The Lost Child often feels lonely and neglected, and may begin to believe that this is a result of their own inadequacy.

• The Hero is the family member who copes with the family strife by overachieving.
• Challenging these societal norms and providing education about responsible drinking are crucial steps in preventing alcoholism from taking root.
• Having a parent or other close relative who uses alcohol as a coping mechanism or has an alcohol addiction can be damaging to the family.
• Whether you’re seeking help for yourself or a loved one, Nova Recovery Center provides compassionate care and lasting support every step of the way.

For Treatment Providers

• Breaking free from generational cycles of addiction requires both awareness and comprehensive support systems.
• When a person suffers from a co-occurring mental health disorder, the risk for also developing alcoholism or problems with substance abuse are elevated.
• Multiple genes are involved in a person’s susceptibility to developing AUD.
• If you or someone you know is struggling with alcohol use, don’t hesitate to reach out for help.
• Many of these teens and early twenty-somethings are college students in environments that promote excessive social and binge drinking.
• About three-quarters of them are regular smokers, and 66 percent meet the marijuana abuse/dependence criteria.

Individuals in this subtype are college students or young professionals, with many having completed high school and some pursuing higher education. This subtype has the highest rates of divorce, separation, and visits to the emergency room due to drinking. Sixty-six percent have sought help at some point, making them the group most likely to have done so. Mental health issues both contribute to and are worsened by alcohol addiction. Anxiety, depression, or post-traumatic stress may drive someone to alcohol use, yet prolonged alcoholism often exacerbates these issues. The cycle is damaging but also highlights how recovery must address both mental health five types of alcoholics and alcoholism simultaneously for meaningful progress.

Why Understanding the 5 Types of Alcoholics Matters

Drinking heavily can put a great deal of strain on the body, as each sip requires intense liver and kidney work. Those organs move into overdrive to clear alcohol from the blood, and constant exposure to alcohol can cause cell death in these organs. In extreme cases, these organs can stop functioning, and a transplant might be required. A study by the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA) identified five different types of .

Routine Drinking

They might be more likely to seek help for their addiction disorder than their personality disorder. Understanding drug rehab success relies on personalized treatment plans, evidence-based therapies, peer support, co-occurring disorder care, and robust aftercare for lasting recovery. From social gatherings to religious ceremonies, alcohol has been a staple in human history for thousands of years. According to the World Health Organization (WHO) in 2019 global alcohol drinking reached a staggering 6.2 liters per person annually? Understanding the different types will help consumers make informed choices and appreciate the unique qualities each type offers. The Young Antisocial Alcoholic Subtype makes up the second-largest type of alcoholics, with 21 percent of this group usually in their mid-20s.

• Due to their genetic predisposition to alcoholism, they tend to drink heavily and may experience periods of abstinence followed by relapse.
• About31%of functional alcoholics have a close family member who also has alcohol dependence.
• The Intermediate Familial Alcoholic Subtype category is comprised of middle-aged people, 50 percent of which come from families that suffered from alcoholism.
• In contrast, undistilled alcohol, like beer and wine, is produced solely through fermentation, where yeast converts sugars in grains or fruits into alcohol, leading to a lower alcohol content.
• However, alcohol withdrawal symptoms still occur as drinking patterns become more consistent.

Many also suffer from other mental illnesses, including major depression, bipolar disorder, social phobias and obsessive-compulsive personality disorder. On average, they drink about 143 days each year, and they typically consume five or more drinks at a time. Few seek help for their drinking, but when they do, they gravitate toward 12-step groups as opposed to private treatment. This group has one of the lowest education levels of any subtype and also has the lowest employment rate. This group drinks more frequently than any other, although their total alcohol intake is less than the young antisocial subtype. Two-thirds of this subtype have sought help for their alcoholism at some point, making them by far the most likely to have done so.

It’s important to note that functional alcoholism is a serious condition that can have devastating consequences if left untreated. Despite their ability to “keep it together” on the surface, functional alcoholics are still at risk for a variety of health problems, including liver disease, heart disease, and certain types of cancer. Additionally, their behavior can be unpredictable and dangerous, both to themselves and to Oxford House those around them. It’s important to note that this type of alcoholic may not yet have developed a physical dependence on alcohol, but may display other signs of addiction.

The term “alcohol use disorder” (AUD) spans a broad spectrum, from mild dependency to severe addiction. Factors like genetics, mental health conditions, and environmental influences shape each experience with alcohol addiction. This group has a higher education level than most but not as high as the functional subtype.

The Future of Alcoholism Classification

Alcohol abuse is linked to an increased risk of depression and anxiety disorders. It can also exacerbate symptoms of pre-existing mental health conditions. If you have a family history of alcoholism and are concerned about your own drinking habits, speak with your healthcare provider or seek out resources like Alcoholics Anonymous or counseling services. Remember that early intervention is key to preventing the negative consequences of alcohol addiction.