Over 90 percent of people who would benefit from treatment for alcoholism don’t feel they need it, causing many to never seek support despite the toll their addiction might have on their lives. This disconnect between addicts and treatment stems in part from the misconception that alcoholics are crippled, unemployed drunkards with blatant substance abuse problems, but in truth, this type of alcoholic is relatively rare. Alcoholism is a problem many face, even if they don’t fit a worst-case scenario description; by learning more about the common types of alcoholics and their struggles, you can help yourself or others seek out the help they need. If you or someone you know fits one of these subtypes in Tennessee, attending an alcohol addiction program is strongly advised.
Young Adult & Antisocial Alcoholics
Over half of all alcoholics fit into either the young adult or the young antisocial subtype (32 percent and 21 percent respectively), yet neither fits the average perception of someone with an alcohol use disorder. These alcoholics generally start young, but rather than drink regularly, they mostly binge drink, consuming around fifteen alcoholic drinks at a time on average. Unsurprisingly, a large percentage of these people are college students, dealing with peer pressure to drink at parties and other social events.
Young adult and young antisocial alcoholics are distinguished at the mental level—more than half of young antisocial drinkers struggle with an antisocial personality disorder, hence the title. These addicts often have little regard for others around them and act impulsively or aggressively, and over three quarters abuse other substances like marijuana and cigarettes.
Functional Alcoholics
Contrary to popular belief, many people with alcohol problems seem fine upon inspection. Functional alcoholics often have steady jobs, good relationships, and seem to “have it all together” from an outside perspective. However, despite leading overall successful, fulfilling lives, these people still struggle with substance abuse. This type of alcoholic rarely seeks help, as they justify their drinking as “not being that bad” if it hasn’t ruined their life on the whole, yet in truth, their habits can devolve into chronic alcoholism and mental health issues. Since these types of alcoholics are usually more motivated, sober living programs in Tennessee can be a good fit and provide support-focused treatment without the restrictions of other recovery plans.
Intermediate Familial Alcoholics
Individuals with mental illnesses consume 38 percent of all alcohol. Alcohol abuse makes an individual more likely to experience mental health disorders, which in turn make an individual more likely to drink in excess, resulting in a degenerative spiral that can be difficult to escape from. Intermediate familial alcoholics are chronic, middle-aged abusers caught in that spiral, with over half of these addicts suffering from severe depression and 20 percent having bipolar disorder.
Chronic Alcohol Addicts
Despite making up less than 10 percent of alcohol abusers, chronic alcohol addicts best fit what most people think of as an “alcoholic.” These sorts struggle with psychiatric problems and criminal activity more than any other subtype of alcoholic, and frequently have serious medical conditions like wet brain as a result of their long-standing substance abuse.
Regardless of someone’s category of alcoholism, Discovery Place’s alternative treatment center in Burns, Tennessee is proven to help cure addictions and prevent relapse. If you’re struggling with alcohol abuse but want to improve, contact us at 1-800-725-0922 at any time of day to see how we can help you.
