Alcohol Abuse and Addiction - Subtypes Of Alcoholism

Based on studies of adopted children and twins, researchers have described several subtypes of alcoholism. Type I alcoholism affects both males and females, usually develops later in life, and is thought to be both genetic and environmental in cause. Type II occurs more often in men, usually develops during adolescence or young adulthood, and is primarily genetic in cause. (See Table 4.8.)

Another classification is called the Type A-Type B subtype. (See Table 4.9.) Type A and Type B alcoholics are defined by a range of factors, including family history of alcoholism, psychological disorders, and the severity of their alcoholism. There also appears to be a gender factor: more women than men tend to be Type A alcoholics, while men outnumber women in the Type B subtype.

Type A alcoholics typically have less severe dependence symptoms, and are more responsive to treatment than are Type B alcoholics. In contrast, Type B alcoholics tend to develop alcoholism at earlier ages, display more problem behaviors early in life, and have more severe dependence symptoms and alcohol-related problems (health, social, and psychological) than Type A alcoholics.