The 5 different types of alcoholics from functional to binge drinkers – are you secretly one?
The United Kingdom is home to several boozers.
In fact, according to a recent survey, Brits ranked third among the world’s most frequent binge drinkers.
Furthermore, it’s all too simple to defend that additional glass of red as a component of the celebratory atmosphere as the Christmas holidays draw near.
However, there comes a time when having a few drinks after work or on a night out becomes unhealthy, particularly if you start to develop an alcohol dependence.
The strong, frequently uncomfortable drive to drink despite the negative effects of the habit is the hallmark of alcoholism, also known medically as alcohol addiction, misuse, or dependence.
According to the alcohol support organization Drinkaware, these could have a detrimental impact on your health or have an impact on your relationships at work, in your home life, and in your social circle.
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There is no universally accepted definition of what an alcoholic is or how someone with a drinking problem acts.
As journalist Hazel Martin explores the reasons behind the rise in alcohol-related liver disease diagnoses among women under 40, a Panorama piece that airs tonight may cause you to reconsider your drinking habits.
Despite not seeing herself as a social drinker or someone with an alcohol problem, Hazel is among the increasing number of young women who have suffered from alcohol-related liver disease.
The Desert Hope Treatment Center, located in the United States, claims that alcoholism is a complicated illness and that there are five categories of alcoholics, including:
1. Chronic severe alcoholic
According to the treatment facility, people with chronic severe alcoholism “are generally middle-aged men who started drinking young” and struggle.
According to center experts, this subtype is “probably what people think of when they think of alcohol addiction.”
Seismic change in drinking habits revealed as number of Brits quitting booze soars to record levels
“People battling chronic severe alcoholism likely have difficulties functioning in everyday life, are often unable to hold down jobs, may lose their homes and families, suffer from multiple health issues, and have many behavioural, interpersonal, and social issues related to alcohol abuse.”
In addition to having a family history of alcohol consumption, they may also be dealing with mental health issues like depression, anxiety disorders, bipolar disorder, and substance abuse.
2. Functioning alcoholic
Alcohol addiction can also occur while maintaining the impression of a well-organized life and avoiding the same obvious repercussions as the aforementioned subtype.
Alcohol that worksThis person is alcoholic but nevertheless manages to carry out their everyday activities with a reasonable level of effectiveness.
They can maintain a career, contribute to the family, and seem to be coping to most people.
However, there are certain warning signs that they might be developing an alcohol issue, such as:
- Having cravings for alcohol
- Drinking instead of eating
- Displaying uncharacteristic actions and behaviours while drinking
- Suffering blackouts
- Becoming unable to control the frequency and duration of drinking episodes
- Having a doctor tell them to stop or cut back on drinking
- Spending an exorbitant amount of money at bars or or pubs
- Hiding bottles of alcohol in the car, around the house, or at the office
- Doing few activities that don t involve alcohol or sneaking alcohol into them
3. Young adult alcoholic
Those around the age of 24 who have struggled with alcoholism since the age of 20 are considered young adult alcoholics.
“This subtype may not drink as often as the other subtypes of alcoholics; however, when they do drink, they consume alcohol in a binge pattern,” noted researchers from Desert Hope.
“Drinking heavily over a short space of time” is how the NHS describes binge drinking, although you may also think of it as drinking to get intoxicated.
Hazel was experiencing this kind of alcoholism, and she is by no means alone.
According to a World Health Organization (WHO) research, the percentage of binge drinkers in Britain has increased by 13%.
However, the number of women who binge drink has increased by 57% between 2016 and 2019, whereas the number of males who binge drink has been largely same.
Accidents, alcohol poisoning, and other short- and long-term health problems are among the risks associated with this practice.
Drinkawaresays For men, consuming more than eight units of alcohol in one sitting is considered a binge; for women, it is six units.
According to Desert Hope experts, young bingers rarely seek help for alcohol misuse and rarely have a family history of addiction. They also typically do not experience mental health problems concurrently.
4. Young antisocial alcoholic
These people, who are usually in their mid-20s, may have started battling addiction before other forms of alcoholism.
“About half have a family history of alcoholism, and about three-quarters also smoke cigarettes and abuse marijuana,” stated experts from Desert Hope.
Additionally, they asserted that according to the National Institute on Drug misuse, antisocial personality disorder (ASPD), which frequently co-occurs with alcohol misuse and addiction, affects half of adolescent antisocial alcoholics.
According to NHS guidelines, impulsive, careless, and frequently illegal activity is a hallmark of ASPD.
According to the statement, an individual with antisocial personality disorder is usually cunning, manipulative, and careless, and they are indifferent to the sentiments of others.
5. Intermediate family alcoholic
Although they frequently start drinking as they approach young adulthood, intermediate familial alcoholics usually do not experience alcohol-related problems until they are in their mid-30s.
They frequently have a family history of alcoholism.
How to cut back on drinking
Seeing a general practitioner is a wise first step if you’re worried about your drinking.
They can offer guidance and assistance on how to control your drinking and make safe reductions.
This could entail detox treatments, medication, or counseling.
When you believe you can’t function without alcohol, you are said to be dependent on it. When you quit drinking, you may experience physical withdrawal symptoms, such as sweating, shaking, or nausea.
It could be risky to quit drinking too soon without the right support if you experience these symptoms when you abstain from alcohol.
You can join or contact a number of charities, support groups, and helplines:
- Drinkline national alcohol helpline on 0300 123 1110
- Alcohol Change UK
- Alcoholics Anonymous helpline on 0800 9177 650
- Al-Anon Family Groups helpline on 0800 0086 811
Advice for quitting
The following strategies and advice will help you stop a little bit easier when you’re ready.
- Tell family and friends that you re aiming to stop drinking alcohol and explain why – reminding yourself and the people close to you why you want to stop drinking can help keep you on track, and may even encourage someone else to give up or cut down with you.
- Identify triggers avoid avoid situations where you may be tempted to drink, at least in the early stages – from after work pub quizzes to boozy dinners.
- Keep busy in the times you’d usually drink by trying something new – get active or meet a friend at the cinema.
- Reward yourself as you make progress and don’t be too hard on yourself if you slip up every once in a while – it can be helpful to give yourself short-term goals.
- Notice how your body feels without booze – you might find that you have more energy, are sleeping better or have lost weight.
Drinkaware is the source.
3 RED FLAGS YOU MUST NOT IGNORE
Knowing you have an alcohol addiction might be difficult at times.
Drinkaware claims that doctors frequently watch for three important indicators.
One is that your ability to control your alcohol use is compromised. This implies that you may not be able to regulate the length of your drinking sessions, the amount of alcohol you consume, or the frequency of your drinking.
Additionally, once you begin drinking in inappropriate settings or at inappropriate times, you may find it impossible to quit.
Giving alcohol more importance is a second warning sign.
This implies that drinking may take precedence over other everyday obligations and activities.
It could also indicate that you value drinking more than taking care of your health or that you continue to drink in spite of detrimental effects on your life or health.
Lastly, one of the main indicators that you may have alcohol addiction is if drinking has an adverse effect on your physical or mental health.
For instance, you may observe that you are going through withdrawal symptoms or that you need to consume more alcohol to experience its effects.
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You might also notice yourself smuggling in a drink to stave off the symptoms of withdrawal.
Adele has disclosed that she spent a significant portion of her twenties as a “borderline alcoholic.”
Signs you might have a drinking problem
Identifying the symptoms of alcoholism can be challenging.
Physicians frequently search for these particular indicators:
- Impaired control over alcohol use – not being able to control how long a drinking session is, how much alcohol you consume when you do drink, how frequently you drink, being unable to stop drinking once you start, or drinking on inappropriate occasions or at inappropriate places.
- Giving increasing priority to alcohol – giving precedence to drinking over other daily activities and responsibilities, drinking is becoming more important to you than looking after your health, or carrying on drinking despite negative consequences for your health or life.
- Unwanted physical or mental effects from drinking – showing signs of increased tolerance to alcohol (having to drink more for the same effect), experiencing withdrawal symptoms, or using alcohol to prevent or alleviate withdrawal symptoms.
Drinkaware also offers a brief online test that can determine whether you should be concerned if you believe that your drinking may be excessive or that it is starting to negatively impact your life.
Drinkaware is the source.
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