If someone in your family likes to drink a bit too often, you may be wondering, “is my loved one an alcoholic?” The following information will help you understand the different types of alcoholism that exist. Additionally, it can also help you understand if your loved one has this disease. Read on to learn more about the characteristics of each type of alcoholism and the treatment options that exist to help them overcome it.
The Five Types of Alcoholism
When you ask, “is my loved one an alcoholic?” it is essential to understand that there are five different subtypes of alcoholics. Fully grasping these groups can help you spot the types of symptoms that your loved one may show if they are suffering from any of the types of alcoholism. The types are listed below, along with their age range and their drinking behaviors:
- Young Adults – This group averages an age of around 24 years old and often has been addicted to alcohol since they were 20. They tend to binge drink. The young adult group makes up 32 percent of the alcoholism population.
- Young Antisocial – The young antisocial group accounts for about 21 percent of all alcoholism cases. They are around 26 years old and typically become addicted to alcohol by age 18 or so. They usually also smoke tobacco and pot and drink more often.
- Functional – This group consists of middle-aged people with stable lives and high education. They are regularly drinking five or more drinks every other day. They account for around 19 percent of the drinking population.
- Immediate Familial – People in this group typically have multiple family members who drink and support their habit. They usually become alcoholics in their early 30s and account for 19 percent of alcoholics.
- Chronic Severe – The chronic severe group is the least common type of alcoholism. This group accounts for nine percent of the drinking population. This group is the cliched image most people associate with addiction – middle-aged men who abuse other drugs and who struggle to stay successful due to their addiction.
You are undoubtedly asking, “is my loved one an alcoholic from one of these groups?” Maybe you are not sure. After all, many people drink alcohol, and not all of them are alcoholics. The list below will showcase common traits that will help you distinguish if your loved one is an alcoholic and how rehab can help them with their addiction.
Is My Loved One an Alcoholic of These Types?
Individuals who are worried about their loved one’s alcohol consumption need to ask the following questions to gauge their risk of alcoholism:
- Has your loved one binge drunk at any point?
- Have they allowed alcohol to affect their life?
- Did they try to quit but cannot stick to it?
- Are legal troubles constantly hounding them?
- Do they complain of withdrawal symptoms?
- Have they chosen to drink above work and family responsibilities?
If you answered yes to one or more of these questions, your loved one is likely an alcoholic and is doing great harm to their body and mind by not seeking help for their addiction. Therefore, you need to talk to rehab professionals if the answer to the question “is my loved one an alcoholic?” is positive.
Understanding This Danger
If you find that the answer to the question “is my loved one an alcoholic?” is an unfortunate “yes,” please call 866.262.0531 to contact us at Crestview Recovery. We offer many types of treatment and rehab – outpatient, partial hospitalization, extended care, dual-diagnosis, and much more. Additionally, when you verify your insurance, you can get high-quality coverage that will decrease or negate your financial investment.
Since 2016, Dr. Merle Williamson, a graduate of Oregon Health Sciences University, has been the Medical Director at Crestview Recovery, bringing a rich background in addiction medicine from his time at Hazelden Treatment Center. He oversees outpatient drug and alcohol treatments, providing medical care, setting policies, detox protocols, and quality assurance measures. Before specializing in addiction medicine, he spent 25 years in anesthesiology, serving as Chair of Hospital Pharmacy and Therapeutics Committee and Chief of Anesthesia at Kaiser Permanente. This experience gives him a unique perspective on treating prescription drug addiction.
