Consequently, Apollonian subtypes include alcoholics who are characterized by later onset, a slower disease course, fewer complications, less psychological impairment, and a better prognosis. In contrast, the god Dionysius was known for his drunken revelry, sexual abandonment, and physical aggression. When alcohol dependence develops in this type of personality, it can be identified by the subtype characteristics of pathological drinking and drunken comportment. Thus, Dionysian subtypes of alcoholics are characterized by early onset, more severe symptomatology, greater psychological vulnerability, and more personality disturbance. 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.

Factors that Contribute to Young Adult Alcoholism

More than 75% are male, and more than 50% have traits of antisocial personality disorder. People in the young antisocial subtype also experience high rates of depression, bipolar disorder, social phobia, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and have the highest rates of other substance abuse disorders. Substances may include cigarettes, marijuana, methamphetamine, cocaine, and opioids. More than 50 percent of these individuals display traits of antisocial https://ecosoberhouse.com/ personality disorder and high rates of mental health disorders such as depression, social phobia, bipolar disorder, and obsessive-compulsive disorder. This category also shows the highest rates of other substance use disorders, including addiction to marijuana, meth, cocaine, opioids, and cigarette. Despite these shortcomings, the early attempts to differentiate and classify alcoholics had a positive influence on the development of alcohol studies.

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• This detrimental exposure can create or aggravate existing mental health disorders like major depression, bipolar disorder, and anxiety.
• Until the 1960’s, typology theory—including Jellinek’s work—was guided primarily by armchair intuition and clinical observation.
• They often have co-occurring mental health disorders and may require intensive treatment interventions to address their complex needs.
• Since the causes of alcoholism vary from person to person, the best treatment for one might not work for the next.

Characteristics of Chronic Severe Subtype

The problem with this analysis was that Cloninger’s two subtypes were based on a study of 360 male patients being treated for alcoholism in Veteran’s Administration hospitals. Thus the data was therefore not a representative sample of men and women, and it also ignored the 25% of alcoholics who never seek or receive 5 types of alcoholics treatment. The chronic severe subtype is the least prevalent, accounting for only about 9 percent of alcoholics.13 However, this group is the most severe, with heavy drinking occurring almost daily. The terms “alcoholism” and “alcoholic” carry a heavy stigma that can discourage individuals from seeking help.

Treating Alcohol Use Disorders

• In discussing the general causes and conditions favoring inebriety, Crothers (1911) also classified alcoholism as either acquired or hereditary.
• This group is unlikely to seek treatment, but individuals who do seek treatment choose self-help groups, specialty treatment programs, detoxification programs, and private health care providers.
• More hold full-time jobs, but their income skews lower than the functional subtype.
• When they do seek treatment, they’re more likely to attend a 12-step group or seek treatment from private health care professionals.
• For example, on “binge days,” members of this group often consume up to 14 drinks.
• They may have a family history of alcoholism, but they tend to have fewer severe consequences related to their drinking behavior compared to other subtypes.

The Intermediate Familial Subtype is one of the five types of alcoholics, characterized by a strong family history of alcoholism and a later onset of alcohol-related problems compared to other subtypes. Understanding the characteristics and factors that contribute to this subtype can provide valuable insights into the nature of alcoholism and inform appropriate interventions. Alcoholism is a serious problem that affects millions of people around the world.

About half of this subtype of alcoholics smoke cigarettes, and one-third have a family history of alcoholism. Around one-quarter of the functional alcoholic demographic have had at least one major depressive episode in their lives as well. Depression and mood disorders commonly co-occur with alcohol abuse and can increase a person’s vulnerability to addiction.

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