9 Types of Alcoholics and How to Identify Them

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Last updated: 02/05/2025

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Not all cases of alcohol addiction develop similarly, so researchers have identified five types of alcoholics based on how they manifest.

Alcohol use disorders can affect anyone, regardless of age, background or lifestyle. However, the word “alcoholic” often carries heavy connotations that do not encompass the wide range of experiences and challenges linked to alcohol use. In reality, there are different patterns of alcohol misuse, each shaped by various factors such as genetics, environment, and personal stressors. Understanding the types of alcoholism can help you recognize warning signs in yourself or others and highlight the need for professional help.

Below, we explore what “alcoholic” really means, the stigma around the term, and the different types of alcohol misuse. We then review the severity levels of alcohol use disorder (AUD), how healthcare providers classify these levels, and how demographics play a role. Finally, we discuss practical strategies for addressing risk factors that can lead to harmful drinking patterns.

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What Is an Alcoholic?

The term “alcoholic” is often used to describe someone who is unable to control their drinking and whose alcohol use persists despite serious negative consequences. Clinically, rather than using the term “alcoholic,” professionals typically diagnose an individual with alcohol use disorder (AUD), a condition recognized in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5). AUD encompasses a spectrum of drinking behaviors, from mild to severe, based on specific criteria such as:

  • Inability to limit the amount of alcohol consumed
  • Continuing to drink despite personal or professional problems
  • Spending a considerable amount of time obtaining, using, or recovering from alcohol
  • Experiencing intense cravings or withdrawal symptoms

An important point: not everyone who drinks excessively fits the same pattern. There are many different “types” of problematic alcohol use, each with its own triggers, risks, and warning signs.

The Stigma of the Term “Alcoholic”

The term “alcoholic” can carry a burden of shame that may deter people from seeking help. Many worry that admitting to having a problem brands them with an irreversible label. In reality, alcohol use disorder is a treatable medical condition, not a moral failing or weakness of willpower. Recognizing and talking openly about the stigma is crucial to breaking down barriers to treatment. Compassion, education, and understanding are key components in reducing the stigma, which can help encourage individuals to seek professional help rather than hiding or denying their condition.

Is Binge Drinking Considered Alcoholism?

Binge drinking is commonly defined as consuming a large quantity of alcohol in a short period of time—usually four or more drinks in about two hours for women and five or more drinks for men. While binge drinking itself is not automatically classified as alcoholism, it is a risky pattern of consumption and can be a step toward developing an alcohol use disorder. Frequent or repeated binge drinking can escalate into AUD. If you or someone you know regularly binge drinks and experiences negative repercussions (e.g., hangovers, blackouts, or risky behaviors), it may be time to seek guidance from a medical professional or a substance use counselor.

The 9 Types of Alcoholism

Alcohol use can manifest in different ways and intensities. Though each person’s experience is unique, there are patterns that can serve as red flags. Here are nine subtypes of alcoholism and how to identify them.

1. The Social Drinker

  • Characteristics: Social drinkers may not drink every day, but they often consume alcohol in social settings like parties, restaurants, or family gatherings. They typically drink to feel more relaxed or confident around others.
  • Warning Signs: While social drinking isn’t inherently problematic, it can become concerning if a person repeatedly drinks to excess, relies on alcohol to feel comfortable in social scenarios, or begins to experience hangovers and regrets that affect their day-to-day functioning.
  • Tips: Setting clear limits and alternating alcoholic drinks with water can help prevent social drinking from sliding into misuse.

2. The Binge Drinker

  • Characteristics: Binge drinkers tend to consume large amounts of alcohol in short periods—often on weekends or during special events. They might not drink as frequently on other days, but when they do, they overindulge.
  • Warning Signs: Frequent blackouts, memory lapses, and engagement in risky behaviors (like driving under the influence or unsafe sexual practices) can accompany binge drinking. Over time, binge drinking can lead to tolerance, meaning they need more alcohol to feel the same effects.
  • Tips: Recognizing triggers—social pressures, stress, or celebrating “big” events—and practicing moderation strategies are crucial in curbing binge drinking patterns.

3. The Functioning Alcoholic

  • Characteristics: Someone who falls into this category maintains a seemingly stable life—holding down a job, paying bills, and fulfilling family obligations. However, they often rely on alcohol daily or nearly daily.
  • Warning Signs: A functioning alcoholic might hide their drinking habits, drink alone, or show irritability if they cannot access alcohol. They often explain their use as a “necessary stress reliever,” even if it’s interfering with their health and relationships over time.
  • Tips: A strong support network, honest conversations about the negative effects of alcohol, and professional help can help break the cycle of hidden but problematic use.

4. The Chronic-Severe Alcoholic

  • Characteristics: Chronic-severe alcoholics display a long history of heavy drinking and face significant life consequences—legal, financial, and health-related. Dependence on alcohol is profound, and withdrawal symptoms can be severe.
  • Warning Signs: Loss of job or housing, repeated hospitalizations, strained or broken relationships, and co-occurring mental health disorders. Physical signs such as liver damage, malnutrition, or cognitive decline may also appear.
  • Tips: Because withdrawal can be intense and dangerous, medical intervention is often necessary. Inpatient or residential treatment, ongoing therapy, and medication-assisted treatment can be effective pathways to recovery.

5. The Binge-Eating Alcoholic

  • Characteristics: This pattern involves using alcohol alongside disordered eating behaviors. A person might drink to suppress hunger or might “save” calories for alcohol while neglecting regular meals. Alternatively, they may binge-eat when drinking, losing control over both food and alcohol intake.
  • Warning Signs: Extreme fluctuations in body weight, nutritional deficiencies, and preoccupation with controlling calorie intake can be indicators. Someone might skip meals, especially when they anticipate a night of heavy drinking, or might overeat heavily while intoxicated.
  • Tips: Treating both disordered eating and alcohol misuse concurrently is critical. Psychological and nutritional counseling, alongside standard substance use disorder treatments, can provide comprehensive support.

6. The High-Functioning Alcoholic

  • Characteristics: Similar to the functioning alcoholic, the high-functioning alcoholic may exhibit success in their career or personal life. They can be leaders, executives, or creative professionals who appear to “have it all.” Under the surface, however, they struggle with a strong dependence on alcohol.
  • Warning Signs: Drinking as a reward for achievements, justifying daily or frequent use due to stress, or needing alcohol to maintain their perceived “edge.” They may deny a problem because they excel in many life areas.
  • Tips: Recognizing that success in one domain doesn’t negate a substance use problem is critical. Seeking confidential counseling or an executive program can help them address underlying issues and manage stressors without alcohol.

7. The Young Adult Alcoholic

  • Characteristics: Typically, this group starts drinking at an early age (often in late teens or early twenties) and tends to engage in binge drinking. However, they may not drink as frequently as other subtypes.
  • Warning Signs: Even though they drink less frequently, when they do, it’s often high-volume. This subtype generally has lower rates of co-occurring mental health disorders but is at high risk for accidents and acute harms related to binge drinking.
  • Tips: Early interventions such as campus-based prevention programs, peer support groups, and education about the risks of binge drinking can help reduce the long-term impact.

8. The Young Antisocial Alcoholic

  • Characteristics: Like the young adult subtype, these individuals often begin drinking at an early age and frequently engage in binge drinking. In addition, they exhibit antisocial traits such as disregard for rules, aggression, or law-breaking behaviors.
  • Warning Signs: They often have co-occurring mental health conditions like personality disorders, making them more prone to risky behaviors. This subtype may have legal issues related to driving under the influence or violence.
  • Tips: Comprehensive treatment that addresses both substance use and underlying mental health or behavioral issues is critical. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), anger management, and structured support settings are often recommended.

9. The Intermediate Familial Alcoholic

  • Characteristics: This group usually has close relatives with alcohol use disorders, suggesting a hereditary component. They tend to start drinking at an earlier age but do not necessarily have severe alcoholism until later in adulthood.
  • Warning Signs: While they may function for years without noticeable problems, they can develop dependency patterns as they age. Stressful life events, relationship issues, or health problems might accelerate their alcohol misuse.
  • Tips: Recognizing family history is key. Genetic predispositions do not guarantee the development of AUD, but they do increase risk. Preventive counseling, routine screening, and strong social support can help individuals in this subtype manage their risk factors.

Alcohol Use Disorder Severity Levels

Alcohol use disorder is often described by severity: mild, moderate, or severe. This classification is based on how many of the DSM-5 criteria a person meets. These criteria can include cravings, loss of control, and negative impacts on health or relationships.

  • Mild AUD: Meeting 2–3 criteria
  • Moderate AUD: Meeting 4–5 criteria
  • Severe AUD: Meeting 6 or more criteria

Recognizing your level of severity can help identify the most suitable treatment approaches.

How Healthcare Providers Determine the Severity Level

Healthcare professionals commonly use screening tools like the CAGE questionnaire, AUDIT (Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test), or direct interviews to gauge a person’s relationship with alcohol. They may also run blood tests to check for liver damage or other health indicators of prolonged alcohol use. Additionally, they evaluate co-occurring mental health disorders and the individual’s support system to create a comprehensive treatment plan.

Alcohol Use Disorder Across Different Populations

While anyone can develop an alcohol use disorder, patterns may differ across demographics:

  • Gender: Historically, men have higher rates of heavy drinking, but the gap is narrowing as more women engage in frequent or binge drinking. In 2023, the National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH) found that 16.8 million men and 12 million women aged 12 and older had an AUD in the past year. Women also tend to experience alcohol-related health problems sooner than men.
  • Age: Young adults are more prone to binge drinking, often due to peer pressure and social environments. 5.1 million people aged 18 to 25 (15.1%) had an AUD in the past year. Middle-aged adults may develop a routine of drinking to cope with work or family stress.
  • Socioeconomic Factors: Economic hardship can increase stress and the likelihood of using alcohol as a coping mechanism. Conversely, some high-income individuals might develop high-functioning alcoholism due to professional pressures and cultural norms around after-work drinks.
  • Cultural Background: Cultural practices and beliefs about alcohol can influence drinking habits, from social norms encouraging moderate consumption to environments where heavy drinking is overlooked or normalized.

Understanding how different demographic factors intersect with alcohol use can guide targeted prevention and treatment strategies.

Ways to Treat Risk Factors of Alcoholism

Addressing the root causes and risk factors of alcoholism is vital to sustained recovery. Some key steps include:

  • Therapy and Counseling
    • Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) helps individuals identify triggers and develop healthier coping strategies.
    • Family Therapy can improve communication and support within the household.
  • Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT)
    • Medications like naltrexone, acamprosate, or disulfiram can reduce cravings and the rewarding effects of alcohol.
  • Support Groups
  • Lifestyle Changes
    • Incorporating regular exercise, healthy nutrition, and mindfulness practices can reduce stress and improve overall well-being, making it easier to resist alcohol cravings.
  • Professional Help for Co-occurring Disorders
    • Conditions like depression, anxiety, or eating disorders can exacerbate alcohol use. Treating these issues alongside alcoholism ensures more lasting recovery.
  • Aftercare and Relapse Prevention
    • Continuing care plans, such as ongoing therapy sessions, alumni support groups, or sober living environments, help maintain the gains achieved during treatment.

Get Help for All Types of Alcohol Addiction

Alcohol use disorder is multifaceted, and there is no one-size-fits-all approach to recovery. Each type of alcoholic pattern—whether social, binge, functioning, or chronic-severe—comes with its own warning signs, risk factors, and intervention strategies. By recognizing these patterns, understanding the spectrum of severity, and acknowledging the influence of demographics, we can better tailor preventative measures and treatment plans.

At The Recovery Village Kansas City, we offer comprehensive alcohol addiction treatment services. Current levels of care provided include medical detox, residential treatment, and aftercare to meet the needs of those with all forms of alcohol addiction. Contact us today to begin your recovery journey.

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