Local Rehab Highlights the Types of Alcoholism

New Port Richey, FL – Clean Recovery Centers, a local addiction treatment facility, just released a new installment to their blog page highlighting the different types of alcoholism. With locations throughout the Suncoast, they have helped many get clean, live clean, and stay clean.

“We have often heard many phrases and descriptions of alcoholism. Many associate a person with alcoholism as a drunk, homeless person. Others see versions of alcoholism where the person is a well-educated, successful, career and family-minded person. The thing about these stereotypes is that they all hold some form of truth. In a recent study, it was determined that there are 5 types of alcoholism. Not every person will fit each description exactly. Many stories of alcohol use disorder will have overlapping similarities,” the article reads.

The young adult subtype is the most common and usually begins with drinking at age 19. By around age 24, alcohol use disorder has developed. This type typically affects males and begins around college. Those who fall into the young adult subtype don’t often seek treatment and utilize 12-step programming.

The intermediate familial subtype begins drinking at a young age, around 17 years old. Alcohol dependency usually happens by the time they have reached 32 years of age. Most have immediate family members with an alcohol use disorder, and more than half will have been diagnosed with depression. Also, many have smoked cigarettes and/or used marijuana or cocaine. Only a quarter of those with intermediate familial subtype sought treatment through a detox or residential program.

The young antisocial subtype affects just over 20% of people and they are the youngest to begin drinking, at age 15. More than half come from families with alcohol use disorder, and around half show symptoms or are diagnosed with antisocial personality disorder. Bipolar disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, and depression are also common in this subtype. Many had polysubstance use disorders including cocaine, marijuana, and opiate use disorders. The young antisocial subtype is the most likely to seek a formal treatment program including detox, residential, and self-help groups.

“The smallest subtype of alcoholism, as only 9.2% are in this category. They often begin drinking around the age of 15 and develop alcohol use disorder around the age of 29. This subtype has the highest rate of family members with alcohol use disorder at 77%. Half experience bipolar disorder, depression, generalized anxiety disorder, and panic disorder. Social anxiety is also present, leading to isolation and disconnect from society. Many have co-occurring substance use disorders such as cocaine, opioids, and marijuana. They are also likely to smoke cigarettes.

This subtype has the lowest education, employment, and income of all the subtypes. They are more likely to experience divorce and emergency room visits due to alcohol consumption. While they actually drink less than the young antisocial subtype, they consume more than all other subtypes. They are the most likely to seek treatment, with 66% doing so. Chronic severe subtypes often try self-help groups, detox, and rehabilitation programs,” the article continues.

The functional subtype is associated with high-functioning alcoholism. The common description is a middle-aged male with a successful career and a family. They come from multiple generations of alcohol use disorder and have the highest income among the other subtypes. Less than 20% seek treatment and when they do they are often 12-step based or through private insurance facilities.

Clean Recovery Centers is well-versed in helping those living with an alcohol use disorder, no matter the subtype. Their program incorporates wellness through brain mapping, nutritional counseling, massage therapy, and much more. Mental health treatment is also a large part of their program as they can diagnose and treat conditions at any phase of treatment.

To learn more about Clean Recovery Centers, call (888) 330-2532 or visit their website.