Friday, September 23, 2016

CHRONIC SEVERE SUBTYPE ALCOHOLIC Blogger: Being Sane Takes Too Much Work

This is the rarest and most dangerous of all the subtypes. They make up 9.2% of all alcoholics. Chronic severe subtype's average age is 38. They begin drinking around 16 years of age and develop alcohol dependence later at an average age of 29. This type has the highest rates of drinking, an average of 247.5 days a year and on 172(69%) these days are done binge drinking. Their maximum drink is 15 a day. The majority of this group are males at 65%. They have the highest rate of divorce(25) and 8.6% of them are separated. Only 28.7% are married. 43% are employed full-time with 7.6% both unemployed and permanently disabled. Only 9% have a college degree. Chronic severe alcoholics are the typical alcoholic that many people think of. Their alcohol problem is so severe that they can't hold a job. They may or may not have a place to live. Family and friends may have given up on them. This group often wants help. The are aware they have run out of options and they need to make changes to survive. This subtype has the highest rate of family members who also experience alcohol dependence(77%). They are most likely to have mental illness. 55% have depression. 47% have antisocial personality. That is the second-highest rate following, antisocial alcoholics. 34% have bipolar disorder. 26% have social phobia. 25% have dysthymia. 24% have generalized anxiety disorder. 17% have panic disorder. Substance abuse is common. 75% smoke cigarettes. 58% have cannabis use disorder. 39% have cocaine used disorder. 24% have opioid used disorder. Chronic severe subtype experience the most pervasive symptoms: Highest rate of emergency visits that are related to drinking of all subytpes. 94% of them drink larger/longer amounts than intended. 92% of them drink despite experiencing problems from drinking at work, school, relationships or while driving. 88% experience withdrawal symptoms. 83% have tried to reduce their drinking. 48% of them have reduced activities, such as hobbies or family time, because of alcohol. Almost 66% of these alcoholics have sought help for their alcohol problems. They have the highest rates of attendance at self-help groups, detoxification programs and specialty rehabilitation programs. They also have the highest rates of treatment in inpatient programs. When seeking treat, the chronic severe subtype tend to turn to social workers, psychologists, psychiatrists and private physicians.

No comments:

Post a Comment