Genes and proteins linked to different types of alcohol use disorders could provide new therapeutic targets
Many outpatient options allow people to maintain their regular routines and their privacy, too, if desired. Many different types of medications are commonly prescribed to help treat substance use. The type of drug prescribed depends on many factors, including the phase of treatment a person is in. There is no known cause of substance use disorder, but several risks have been identified. A person may be more likely to develop a substance use disorder if one of several factors are present.
Classifying the five types of alcoholism was an important step for addiction research and treatment because it acknowledges the variability in addictive behaviors, symptoms, and consequences. Because not every case of alcoholism is the same, tailoring addiction treatment to the individual person may help improve rates of success. To understand this complex and unique disorder, it’s essential to learn the different types of alcoholics.
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- Prior research and anecdotal evidence have shown that not only do people have different alcohol consumption habits, but they behave differently after consumption.
- You’ll also know why it requires special treatment for successful recovery.
- She has worked in the hospital setting and collaborated on Alzheimer’s research.
- Binge drinking equates to roughly five drinks for men and four for women within two hours.
Theories suggest that for certain people drinking has a different and stronger impact that can lead to alcohol use disorder. It is rare that someone would go to treatment once and then never drink again. More often, people try to quit or cut back over time, experience recurrences, learn from them, and then continue on their recovery journey.
Treatments Led by Health Care Providers
When doing an assessment, a health professional will usually ask about the areas listed below. All are important when deciding which types of treatment will provide the best support. Regardless of where or how you seek treatment, it’s important to look for approaches that are “evidence-based.” This means the treatments are backed by large, well-designed studies.
Options for Treatment
This program serves as a follow-up treatment, designed to offer a longer-term structure to those who have completed inpatient or intensive outpatient programs. Regardless of the specific type of substance a person is using, there will be similar signs and symptoms. While different types of substances can cause various signs and symptoms, being addicted to any type of substance results in the same action on the addiction center in the brain.
It’s also critical to understand their experiences with substance abuse. Of the five alcoholic subtypes, intermediate familial individuals have the highest employment rates and an average family income of $50,000 yearly. Most functional alcoholics are middle-aged (around 41) who started drinking around age 18. According to the NIAAA, to determine the level of severity, individuals are asked questions similar to what’s listed below. The number of times an individual answers “yes” to one of those questions helps to determine the severity level — mild (2–3 criteria), moderate (4–5 criteria), or severe (6 or more criteria). If your pattern of drinking results in repeated significant distress and problems functioning in your daily life, you likely have alcohol use disorder.
Ask different programs if they offer sliding-scale fees—some programs may offer lower prices or payment plans for individuals without health insurance. 12-step facilitation therapy is an engagement strategy used in counseling sessions to increase an individual’s active involvement in 12-step-based mutual-support groups. Professionally led treatments include behavioral treatments and medications. To recover from AUD, seeking professional help and attending support groups is essential.
The terms “alcoholism” and “alcoholic” carry a heavy stigma that can discourage individuals from seeking help. Your health care provider or counselor can suggest a support group. Different types of substance use disorders can have a wide range of symptoms.
In addition, 17% seek substance addiction treatment at private facilities. In the U.S., the young adult alcoholic subtype comprises 31.5% of all alcoholics. This demographic’s average age is 24, with most being male, single, still in school, and with family histories of alcoholism. While binge drinking doesn’t necessarily equate to alcoholism, it can be a precursor or warning sign. The consumption of large quantities of alcohol within a short period is a concerning pattern. Repeated binge drinking episodes may lead to the development of alcoholism or AUD over time.
If you feel that you sometimes drink too much alcohol, or your drinking is causing problems, or if your family is concerned about your drinking, talk with your health care provider. Other ways to get help include talking with a mental health pathway to recovery hazleton professional or seeking help from a support group such as Alcoholics Anonymous or a similar type of self-help group. The first subtype of alcoholism is the young adult subtype, also called the young alcoholic. Alcoholics Anonymous® (also known as “AA”) and other 12-step programs provide peer support for people quitting or cutting back on their drinking. Combined with treatment led by health care providers, mutual-support groups can offer a valuable added layer of support. Alcohol use disorder is a multifaceted issue that affects individuals differently.