Alcoholic beverages have been around probably since rotten fruit was first discovered- god knows how long ago. Alcohol is as old as dirt and can’t stop- won’t stop. The revolution will not be televised because everybody was too busy getting drunk. In the United States there’s been prohibition and all sorts of methods used to try and shut down the imbibing that occurs nationwide, but with no resolve. Eventually, the government realized they couldn’t beat them (us) and just Stockholm Syndromed themselves to the other side as they legalized and started taxing the fermented juice. There’ve been levies raised and lowered on different products that have come and gone. There have been new alcohols developed, tested, and experimented on. There’s been fun inebriation induced belly laughter had in some cases, and suds poured for the fallen homies in others. One thing is for certain, the sauce is not going anywhere anytime soon.
Alcohol being here to stay is remarkable news for most, but what about those of us inflicted with alcoholic drinking and thinking? We have a mental ailment that causes us to abuse basically anything that numbs us. Without Alcoholics Anonymous or the 12 steps- we are the ones that essentially keep the beer and liquor companies in business. Of course, you being handcuffed to a 5th isn’t an even trade off though. Unfortunately, there are many alcoholics that have not crossed path with the 12 steps- or found a solution of any sort for that matter. These said prisoners fall into their own category of alcoholic drinking. We know of an assortment of alcoholic drinking categories that most alcoholics commonly fit into in this day of age. Regardless of your type, let it be known that the sober type is usually the most profitable. Moving forward.
Slavery in a Bottle
When we boil down the subject and really take a look at the solution, there are generally five different types of alcoholic drinking that most beings of chemical dependent nature fall into. Taking a look at the progression of the disease is important to note as well when dissecting the types of alcoholics out there. Let’s start off and take a look at the alcoholic drinking which is usually the young adult alcoholic. This is the type of alcoholic in their early to mid-twenties who doesn’t recognize the issue at hand. This is typically the young adult who views their drinking as a lifestyle choice and enjoys going to parties frequently. This person will convince themselves or justify their actions that it is age involved and appropriate for the timing in their lives. There is a lot of heavy binge drinking here, but the outcome of the alcoholic can always change on a case by case basis. Age has no effect on addiction and alcoholism, unfortunately. Addicts and alcoholics in their teenage years appear all of the time. It’s kind of like the big book of Alcoholics Anonymous says, not quote for quote, but alcoholism doesn’t care about race, gender, religion, sexuality, creed, or organization- it is a disease that really any human mind is susceptible to.
Next category! New cup new cup, move down move down! This is the young antisocial alcoholic. This is the person who has progressed from being the young adult alcoholic without making any changes in behavior and has just progressed in the fine game of “miserably drinking to cope.” This is a person generally in their youth still as they progress from late twenties to mid thirties, but other disorders and coping mechanisms have started to become a way of life. Unfortunately, in most circumstances, this person has begun to exhibit very antisocial behavior as they develop a cross addiction that goes well with their character. Often times this cross addiction stems out as pot smoking or some form of nicotine like cigarettes usually.
Falling on down the ladder of categorization very quickly, we stop on the next rung of alcoholic drinking that groups people as being functional alcoholics. These people are the alcoholics that still manage to live a decently normal life with only a few problems from alcohol caused here and there. These drinkers are typically younger to middle aged people who have families, businesses, responsibilities ranging all over- and they learn to get by and accomplish their duties. They live among us- GASP! However, these people drink heavily and use alcoholic to cope with their daily struggles and stresses as well.
Going from functional alcoholics to the next grouping, we take a quick peek at the intermediate familial alcoholics. The familial ones are people that have a genetic disposition to become addicts and alcoholics because it runs in their bloodline. There are families like mine for instance that have multiple breeds of addict and alcoholic in them. Addiction and alcoholism are believed to be hereditary and to lob somebody in this class all depends on the stature of their family ancestors and various relations.
Bringing up the rear is our alcoholic friend who defines alcoholism. This is the alcoholic who loves to throw impulsivity into their cauldron of demented problems and alcoholic drinking. We’re referring to the chronic severe alcoholic. This is the final form of alcoholic drinking. This is the one that all our training has led up to. This is the one that’s kind of like that Monty Python skit as we lie on the ground defeated yelling “it’s just a flesh wound.” This is the last type of alcoholic you ever want to be (if for some odd reason you had the choice). Nothing else in life matters but the booze and drugs as we stare out at the world in anger through our jaded lenses. This is the bottom of the barrel of course, but really any type of alcoholism will lead to broken dreams and bottled frustration. There are surely people in your immediate circle that fit into one of these categories. Keep your eyes peeled because eventually, it will catch up to somebody close.
Seeking Treatment for Alcoholism and Addiction
Getting clean and sober from drugs and alcohol is the most important thing that an addict or alcoholic can do in their life. At Pinnacle Recovery, we understand this and we are here to help you through the anxiety that going to a treatment center for drugs and alcohol can bring. With help from our professionals, you can find a new life in sobriety with the least amount of resistance possible, and you can learn what it means to achieve a sustained and happy recovery. So call us today at 1-866-301-0573 and begin your journey to recovery the right way, with Pinnacle Recovery.
