What Is Alcoholism?

An addiction to alcohol, or alcoholism, when diagnosed is called an alcohol use

disorder (AUD).

The Definition Of Alcoholism

Alcoholism is the most severe form of alcohol abuse and involves the inability to
manage drinking habits. It is also commonly referred to as alcohol use disorder.
Alcohol use disorder is organized into three categories: mild, moderate and severe.
Each category has various symptoms and can cause harmful side effects. If left
untreated, any type of alcohol abuse can spiral out of control.
Individuals struggling with alcoholism often feel as though they cannot function
normally without alcohol. This can lead to a wide range of issues and impact
professional goals, personal matters, relationships and overall health. Over time,
the serious side effects of consistent alcohol abuse can worsen and produce
damaging complications.
You don’t have to suffer from alcohol addiction in silence. There are many
treatment options available to help you overcome alcohol abuse and achieve long-
term sobriety.

Causes
Reasons Why People Drink
Many factors can increase the risk of alcohol abuse. People may turn to alcohol for
one reason and gradually develop a dependency on drinking. For example,
drinking during difficult times – a death in the family or job loss – can potentially
trigger long-term alcohol abuse.
While there are various reasons as to why people start drinking, some of the most
common are to:
Relieve Stress
Relying on alcohol to reduce daily life stressors can impact the likelihood of
developing alcoholism. Since alcohol is a depressant and a sedative, drinking
produces feelings of pleasure. However, frequent drinking builds tolerance,
requiring you to consume more alcohol in order to achieve the same effects.
Feel Good
Consuming alcohol can provide some people a break from reality. It offers a sense
of relief from underlying issues your mind may be trying to escape from. However,
continual alcohol use to get through the day or week can turn into a serious
drinking problem.
Cope With Loss
Losing a family member or friend can take a toll on you emotionally, physically and
mentally. Alcohol can ease the grief you are feeling and is used to get through
difficult times. Depending on alcohol, even temporarily, can spiral into a drinking
problem.
Overcome Anxiety
Some people are naturally anxious, causing them to perpetually worry. Drinking
lowers an individual’s inhibitions and makes them more comfortable in social
situations. Over time though, this can lead to addictive behaviors.
Lack Of Connection
Many people drink because they don’t feel adequately connected to others. They
believe that alcohol will either fill the void or possibly make it easier for them to
forge new bonds. However, the opposite typically ends up being true.
Shame
Shame is one of the most difficult emotions for many to cope with, and it is also
one of the most traumatic. While alcohol can temporarily mask shame with false
feelings, it also causes many individuals to engage in reckless or foolish behaviors
that can later cause them to feel even greater shame, which can cause a
downward spiral.
Trauma
Treatment professionals see some type of trauma in virtually every patient that
they treat. There are many forms of trauma, but they are all painful events that take
a toll on the mental health of the person struggling with addiction. For many,
treating unresolved trauma is the key to their recovery.

Consequences
Consequences of Harmful and Underage College Drinking
Drinking affects college students, their families, and college communities.
Death
The most recent statistics from the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and
Alcoholism (NIAAA) estimate that about 1,519 college students ages 18 to 24 die
from alcohol-related unintentional injuries, including motor vehicle crashes.3
Assault
The most recent NIAAA statistics estimate that about 696,000 students ages 18 to
24 are assaulted by another student who has been drinking.
Sexual Assault
Although estimating the number of alcohol-related sexual assaults is exceptionally
challenging—since sexual assault is typically underreported—researchers have
confirmed a long-standing finding that 1 in 5 college women experience sexual
assault during their time in college. A majority of sexual assaults in college involve
alcohol or other substances. Research continues in order to better understand the
relationships between alcohol and sexual assault among college students.
Additional national survey data are needed to better estimate the number of
alcohol-related assaults.
Academic Problems
About 1 in 4 college students report experiencing academic difficulties from
drinking, such as missing class or getting behind in schoolwork.
In a national survey, college students who binge drank alcohol at least three times
per week were roughly six times more likely to perform poorly on a test or project
as a result of drinking (40% vs. 7%) than students who drank but never binged.
The students who binge drank were also five times more likely to have missed a
class (64% vs. 12%).
Alcohol Use Disorder
Around 13% of full-time college students ages 18 to 22 meet the criteria for past-
year alcohol use disorder (AUD), according to the 2021 NSDUH.
Other Consequences
Other consequences include suicide attempts, health problems, injuries, unsafe
sexual behavior, and driving under the influence of alcohol, as well as vandalism,
damage, and involvement with the police.

Kinds
The 5 Types Of Alcoholics
There is a stereotype in America of a “typical alcoholic.” But a study from the
National Institute On Alcohol Abuse And Alcoholism (NIAAA), the National Institute
Of Health (NIH), and the National Epidemiological Survey On Alcohol And Related
Conditions (NESARC) put that notion to rest. These organizations conducted a
national, clinical study derived from various studies on alcoholics. The study found
that there are 5 subtypes of alcoholics:
Young Adult Subtype
Functional Subtype
Intermediate Familial Subtype
Young Antisocial Subtype
Chronic Severe Subtype
These subtypes are categories based on the age of the individual, the age they
started drinking, the age they developed an alcohol dependence, their family
history of alcoholism, the presence or absence of co-occurring mental health
conditions, and the presence of absence of other substance abuse disorders. They
are not meant as a diagnostic to determine if someone is suffering from alcoholism.
Rather, they are meant to further the study of alcoholism and guide future research
and prevention efforts.

Different types of alcoholics will suffer for different reasons. Some groups may not
even realize that their drinking is a problem. Rather, it is just a part of who they are.
But no matter your age, status, family, or subtype, alcoholism can create long-term
problems that damage your health and relationships.
Young Adult Subtype
It is determined that roughly 31.5% of alcoholics fall into the category of young
adults, which is the largest single group. This group tends to begin drinking at an
early age (around 19) and also develops an alcohol dependence early (around 24).
This group has comparatively low rates of co-occurring mental health conditions
and moderate rates of other substance abuse disorders and family members with
alcoholism.

The young adult subtype is less likely to have a full-time job but is more likely to be
in college than other groups. This group is also unlikely to ever have been married.
This subtype drinks less frequently than others but is very likely to engage in binge
drinking when they do. Members of this group are 2.5 times more likely to be male
than female. While it is very unlikely that a member of this group will seek out
treatment, they are most likely to seek out a 12-Step program if they do.

Functional Subtype
The functional subtype is what you might think of when you hear “functional
alcoholics.” Making up 19.5% of alcoholics, this is the group that is holding down
jobs and relationships. This group tends to be middle aged (around 41). Members
of this group generally start drinking later (around 18) and develop an alcohol
dependence later (around 37). This group suffers from moderate rates of
depression but lower rates of most other co-occurring disorders. Many members of
this group smoke cigarettes, but few have other substance use disorders. Around
60% of this group is male.

Of all subtypes, the functional subtype is the least likely to have legal problems;
they are the least likely to report problems due to their drinking. They have the
highest education levels and incomes of all types of alcoholics. Half of this group is
married. These are people that may seem to have their lives together; they may be
the ones that others look up to. However, while they are “functional” in a sense,
they are still suffering from addiction. Less than 20% of this subgroup has sought
help, and most do so from a 12-Step program or a private health care professional.

Intermediate Familial Subtype

The intermediate familial subtype accounts for 18.8% of alcoholics. This group
tends to start drinking younger (around 17) and also develops an alcohol
dependence earlier (around 32). This subgroup is very likely to have had
immediate family members with alcoholism. They also have high probability of
suffering from antisocial personality disorder, depression, generalized anxiety
disorder, and bipolar disorder. This group also suffers from high rates of cigarette,
Marijuana, and Cocaine addiction.

The intermediate familial subtype is 64% male. This group has a higher education
level than most but not as high as the functional subtype. More members of this
group have full-time jobs than any other, but their income level tends to be lower
than the functional subtype. While this group is not especially likely to seek
treatment, those that do tend to attend self-help groups, specialty treatment
programs, detoxification programs, and private health care providers.
Young Antisocial Subtype
Fully 21.1% of alcoholics fall into the young antisocial subtype. This group tends to
start drinking at the youngest age (around 15) and also develops an alcohol
dependence at the earliest age (around 18). More than 50% of this group have
traits of antisocial personality disorder. They also have high rates of depression,
bipolar disorder, social phobia, and obsessive compulsive disorder. This group also
has the highest rates of other substance abuse disorders, including addiction to
cigarettes, Marijuana, Meth, Cocaine, and Opioids. More than 3/4 of the members
of this group are male.

This group has the lowest levels of education, employment, and income of any
group. This group also drinks more at once and more overall than other groups,
although they drink slightly less frequently. On the other hand, this group is more
likely to seek help than almost any other; 35% sought out some form of assistance
in overcoming alcoholism. This group has the highest rate of seeking treatment
from a private health care provider but also often choose self-help groups,
specialty treatment programs, and detox programs.

Chronic Severe Subtype

The chronic severe subtype makes up the smallest percentage of alcoholics, with
only 9.2%. This group tends to start drinking at a young age (around 15) but
typically develops an alcohol dependence at an intermediate age (around 29).
Seventy-seven percent of this group have close family members with alcoholism,
the highest percentage of any subtype. And 47% of the members of this group
exhibit antisocial personality disorder, the second highest rate of any subtype. This
subtype is the most likely of any to experience major depression, dysthymia,
bipolar disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, social phobia, and panic disorder.
This group also is very likely to experience addiction to cigarettes, Marijuana,
Cocaine, and Opioids.

More than 80% of this group experiences acute alcohol withdrawal and persistent
efforts to cut down, and more than 90% experience drinking despite the problems it
causes them and drinking larger amounts and for longer than intended. This group
also tends to spend significant amounts of time recovering from alcohol, and many
experience reduced activities due to drinking. This group also sees the highest rate
of emergency room visits due to drinking.

This group has the highest rates of divorce and separation. 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. They often seek help at self-help groups, rehabilitation programs,
and detox programs. They have the highest rate of seeking treatment at an
inpatient program and also seek out help from private physicians, psychiatrists,
and social workers at high rates.