THE YOUNG ADULT SUBTYPE

The young adult subtype is the largest group making up 31.5% of all alcoholics in the United States. It is the least likely to seek help. The average age of alcohol-dependent young adults is 25 years old, and they first became dependent at approximately 20 years of age. Many deny that it is an issue and claim they are just having fun or define it as a lifestyle choice appropriate for their age group. Most are college students, away from home for the first time. Part of the college culture is drinking and over-indulging is often praised and encouraged by their peers. Older adults may start to worry, but they really feel it is a phase. Any young adult who can't control his drinking once he begins, has intense cravings for alcohol between uses, needs greater amounts of alcohol to achieve the same high overtime and has symptoms of physical withdrawal when not drinking should be concerned that his symptoms do point toward an alcohol problem. Since overindulging is considered "normal" for this age group, many young adults often don't realize they have a problem. Alcoholism, for this group, is not about drinking heavily on a daily basis. Because they usually binge drink, this group can make up in quantity at one sitting what other alcoholic subtypes drink throughout the day. They drink an average of 143 days, which is less than the other groups. On an average of 104 days(73%), they binge drink. The average maximum number on drinking days is 14. This pattern of alcohol use is more hazardous than others. Young adults have low rates of co-occurring substance abuse, mental disorders and legal problems. Only 8.7% of them have ever sought treatment. If they choose to seek help, it is usually the 12-step programs over specialty treatment clinics or private professional practices.