Do you think you may have problems with alcohol? Do you know someone who in your opinion drinks more than necessary? How many types of alcoholism are there and what are they?
Alcohol is present in our society as a substance commonly consumed at social gatherings and celebrations. However, unresponsible consumption can generate serious problems for the consumer, both in their health and in social and work relationships. In this Psychology-Online article we explain what the disease of alcoholism is, its symptoms and the types of alcoholism. If you feel identified, do not hesitate to consult with a specialist professional.
What is alcoholism
He alcoholism It is a disease caused by excessive and prolonged consumption of alcoholic beverages. Consumption creates physical and/or psychological dependence and affects the consumer’s health and the different areas of their life (family, work, social…).
Continued alcohol consumption causes physical health problems such as liver cirrhosis, hypertension, gastrointestinal problems, malnutrition, cardiovascular problems and increases the probability of suffering from some types of cancer. Regarding mental health, there may appear mood disorders such as depression, accentuate some diseases and even cause brain damage. Furthermore, a large intake can cause death.
Symptoms of alcoholism
Alcoholism can range from mild to severe depending on the symptoms, but it is harmful in any case. Symptoms vary from person to person, but in general they are as follows:
- Inability to limit the amount of alcohol you consume.
- Desire or attempts that end in failure to reduce the amount of alcohol you consume.
- Time spent drinking or recovering from drinking.
- Strong desire or need to drink alcohol.
- Failure to fulfill work or family responsibilities due to alcohol consumption.
- Continued alcohol consumption even when you know it causes health and social problems.
- Abandonment or reduction of social or work activities and hobbies to consume alcohol.
- Consuming alcohol in situations where it is not safe, such as while driving or swimming.
- Developing tolerance to alcohol, so that you need more to feel its effect or have a reduced effect for the same amount.
- Presence of withdrawal symptoms, such as nausea, sweating, and shaking, when not drinking, or drinking to avoid these symptoms.
- Constant search for alcohol and reasons to drink.
Alcoholism includes episodes of alcohol intoxication and episodes with the presence of withdrawal symptoms.
- Symptoms of poisoning: inappropriate behavior, unstable moods, impaired judgment, difficulty speaking, attention or memory problems, and poor coordination. You may also have so-called blackouts, which are episodes in which you do not remember what happened. Very high blood alcohol levels can lead to coma or even death.
- Withdrawal symptoms: They can occur several hours or up to four or five days after a large intake of alcohol. They consist of sweating, rapid heartbeat, hand tremors, sleeping problems, nausea and vomiting, hallucinations, restlessness and nervousness, anxiety, and even seizures may occur. The symptoms can affect you in carrying out daily activities.
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Could you have problems with alcohol?
We are used to identifying the alcoholic as someone who drinks since the morning, who has obvious problems and who spends practically the entire day drunk. But There are many types of alcoholism and some very difficult to identify from the outside. And all of them, whether more or less obvious, can cause very serious health problems.
The following questions can guide you as to whether you need help or not.
- Have you ever tried to stop drinking for a week and couldn’t stick?
- Has a family member or friend told you that you drink too much?
- Have you woken up without remembering what happened the night before?
- Have you ever drunk in the morning or waited impatiently for it to be time to have a drink?
- Have you ever felt ashamed of your drinking?
- Have you ever been late or missed work because of alcohol or a hangover?
- Have you drunk at home before a social gathering like a party?
- Have you had arguments or family problems related to alcohol consumption?
If you answered yes to any of these questions, it is recommended that you consult with a professional. Recognizing the problem is the first step in recovering from the disease. In the following article you can read the.
1. Alpha alcoholic
How many types of alcoholism are there and what are they? Jellinek distinguishes several types of alcoholism in his best-known book “The Alcoholic Disease”: This type of alcoholic has some physical or psychological problem or illness and they drink precisely to reduce the effects of their illness (anxiety, depression, insecurity, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia). …). It does not follow social norms regarding time, quantity, place and yet it does not present a lack of control or inability to abstain. This type is also known as evasion consumption and can evolve to gamma.
2. Beta alcoholic
Another type of alcoholism according to Jellinek’s classification is beta. This type of alcoholism includes people who drink habitually and excessively, but do not develop a total dependence on alcohol. They may drink for a long time, stop for long periods, and then drink again. Since they are not dependent, they do not present withdrawal symptoms, but they do develop health problems. such as liver cirrhosis, gastritis and others similar. This type can lead to gamma or delta and presents a general deterioration in health and a decrease in life expectancy.
3. Alcoholic epsilon
In the third type of alcoholism according to Jellinek, the person stops drinking for long periods, but with a clear explanation drinks large amounts of alcohol at specific times. It’s a more punctual consumption but when he drinks he runs risk of alcohol coma due to the quantity.
4. Gamma alcoholic
People who belong to this group do not look like alcoholics because they hide their addiction. They apparently drink normally, but then health problems related to alcohol consumption begin to appear. The dependence begins as psychological and then becomes physical due to withdrawal symptoms.
5. Delta alcoholics
The last type of alcoholism according to Jellinek is delta. Those belonging to this group they drink a lot every day. They have developed a high tolerance so apparently it does not affect them in the development of their lives. They do not hide their drinking and that makes others think that they do not have a problem, however, it affects their health. Sometimes they get very drunk despite their tolerance.
6. Chronic alcoholism
One of the classifications of alcoholism is chronic and acute types. To see the difference between chronic and acute alcoholism, we will explain what each one consists of.
Chronic alcoholism includes habitual consumption of alcoholic beverages. The chronic user usually presents distrust, irritability and some depressive periods which in extreme cases can lead to . Consumption affects many of your organs, especially the nervous system (tremors, digestive disorders, etc.) Delirium tremens may appear. This type of alcoholism is associated with a high tolerance, dependence and health problems.
7. Acute alcoholism
This type of alcoholism is temporary. Is about large occasional intakes of alcohol that has effects ranging from euphoria to sadness or loss of reason. The person experiences dizziness, nausea and vomiting on some occasions. In this type of alcoholism, tolerance is not present, so it presents high risk of alcohol comas. If withdrawal symptoms occur, they disappear after a few hours.
Therefore, the fundamental difference between chronic and acute alcoholism is that in the former there is habitual consumption of alcohol while in the latter the consumption is occasional, but is usually high.
Phases of alcoholism according to Jellinek
Elvin Morton Jellinek was the first to do a scientific study on alcoholism and addictions. He created a graphical model so that everyone could understand the actual progress of alcoholism in each person.
The Jellinek scale is used to measure levels of alcoholism of people in a general way. He identified three phases in the progress of an individual’s alcoholism, which we will look at in a simple way below:
1. Crucial phase
This phase includes the transition from occasional social drinking to drink to relieve anxiety or the perception of the problems that person has. Alcohol consumption increases and this leads to physical and psychological problems that affect social relationships. Initially it does not seem to be important, but the more the consumption increases, the more dependence it creates on alcohol until there comes a time when you cannot act normally without drinking.
The person becomes addicted and uses the effects of alcohol to cope with problems. On the other hand, withdrawal syndrome appears, which leads them to drink to eliminate the discomfort that it generates.
In this phase, the effects of continued alcohol consumption begin to be noticed, such as mental gaps. Time and resources are spent buying and drinking alcohol throughout the day, and some tasks are eliminated to start drinking earlier and earlier.
Consequently, problems begin at work, in social, family and romantic relationships. This is when we move on to the next phase: the chronic phase.
2. Chronic phase
In this phase, alcohol consumption is already continuous and has begun to generate problems in different areas of the person’s life. Seeing the consequences of consumption, she has tried to stop drinking on several occasions, but without success.
He drinks compulsively and his life revolves around alcohol consumption. Find any excuse and time to drink. Even seeing all the negative things his addiction is causing, he can’t stop drinking. Health is affected and although there may be no symptoms of deterioration, internal organs may already be compromised.
Enter a circle of destruction in which continue consuming alcohol even knowing the damage it does and suffers episodes of guilt and despair for not being able to stop drinking.
At this point, if consumption continues, the consequences can be serious and the end dramatic.
3. Rehabilitation phase
The person realizes the seriousness of the consequences of alcohol consumption and decides to stop drinking. For this he seeks outside help. In the rehabilitation process she goes through several stages to get clean of the substances that have made her addicted.
If you have a person in your environment who is in this phase, you…