Five Types Of Alcoholics

The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA) just published a study that describes five subtypes of alcoholics.

The young adult subtype accounts for about 32 percent of U.S. alcoholics. They're young adults who rarely seek help for alcohol dependence. About 24 years old, they became alcoholics by age 20, on average. They drink less frequently than other alcoholics, but they tend to binge drink when they drink. This is the largest subtype.

The young antisocial subtype comprises 21 percent of U.S. alcoholics. They are 26 years old, on average. More than half have antisocial personality disorder. They tended to start drinking at 15 and became alcoholics by 18 — earlier than other subtypes. They are
more likely to smoke tobacco and pot. The young antisocial subtype and the young adult subtype don't overlap.

The functional subtype accounts for about 19 percent of U.S. alcoholics. They're generally middle-aged, working adults who tend to have stable relationships, more education, and higher incomes than other alcoholics. They tend to drink every other day, often consuming five or more drinks on drinking days.

The intermediate familial subtype makes up nearly 19 percent of U.S. alcoholics. Nearly half have close relatives who are alcoholics. Alcoholics in this subtype typically began drinking by 17 and became alcoholics in their early 30s.

The chronic severe subtype is the rarest subtype, accounting for about 9 percent of U.S. alcoholics. This subtype mainly includes men, has the highest divorce rate, and frequently includes users of illicit drugs.

Interestingly enough mote than 70 years ago Dr. Silkworth also described 5 types of alcoholics. Here is his classification from page XXX (30 in the roman numeral section) in the Big Book:

A. "the psychopaths who are emotionally unstable."
B. "the type of man who is unwilling to admit that he cannot take a drink. He plans various ways of drinking. He changes his brand or environment"
C. "the type who always believes that after being entirely free from alcohol for a period of time he can take a drink without danger."
D. "the manic-depressive type, who is, perhaps, the least understood by his friends, and about whom a whole chapter could be written."
E. "types who are entirely normal in every respect except in the effect alcohol has upon them. They are often able, intelligent, friendly people."

What is it with the number 5 and alkies?