A study done by the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism has discovered that there are five clear types of alcoholism. Researchers found this trend by analyzing a nationwide sample of people who have alcoholism.

The characteristics that were analyzed in determining the types were the occurrence of mental illness and other substance addictions, patterns of alcoholism symptoms, the age that individuals began drinking and when they developed abuse problems, and family history of the disease. It was stated that a dual diagnosis of alcoholism along with a mental illness or drug abuse is an indicator of more severe alcoholism.

The Young Adult type is the most common, making up about 31 percent of alcoholics in the United States. These are young adult drinkers who tend to not have a dual diagnosis or family history. The Young Antisocial type includes individuals in their twenties who developed addiction early. The Functional type includes well-educated and middle-aged alcoholics. Intermediate Familial refers to middle-aged individuals, many of whom have a dual diagnosis. Chronic Severe alcoholics are middle-aged adults with very severe problems.

Researchers hope that this information will change the way that people think about individuals who have alcoholism. They don’t all fit into one simple stereotype. According to one of the authors, Dr. Howard B. Moss, 20 percent of people with alcoholism in this country are educated and functional, with high incomes. The largest group of people with alcoholism is young adults. Also, over 50 percent of people with the disease don’t have a family history of alcohol addiction.

Another benefit of this study could come in addiction treatment. No one entirely understands why some people can maintain addiction recovery much more easily than others. Further analysis of the five types of alcoholism could provide some insight into this important question. It could allow for the development of different methods of addiction treatment for the different categories.

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