Close to 20% of the alcoholics in America fall under this subtype. This is as far from the stereotypical alcoholic as you can get. Most functional alcoholics deny that they have a problem with alcohol at all. They are usually holding successful, high level positions. Many of them are doctors, lawyers, or they have executive jobs.

It can be easy to remain a functional alcoholic. On the outside, life looks good. On the inside, life is usually falling apart.

For those with this subtype of alcoholism, about half of them are from alcoholic families. Many of these instances span many generations. Also, a lot of these individuals also suffer from depression alongside alcoholism.

Those fitting this subtype are around 38 years old. They usually have good jobs.

Only about 9% of people in the U.S. fit into this subtype. These individuals are middle-aged, and they have been drinking for a long time. They rank highest for mental health issues and co-addictions. For most of them, alcoholism is a way of life. This is because many generations of their families have been alcoholics.

31% of alcoholics are in this subtype. This group of people drink much less than those in the other categories. However, they are frequent binge drinkers. Their families generally have low alcoholism rates. Still, their excessive drinking behaviors when they do drink classify them as alcoholics.

More than half of these individuals have been diagnosed with Antisocial Personality Disorder. They may be addicted to other substances besides alcohol. They could also be diagnosed with anxiety, depression, or another mental illness.

These individuals tend to be impulsive, irresponsible, and have recurring legal issues.

There are many different types of alcohol use, and it's important to differentiate between them. The first type is casual drinking.

Almost everyone participates in casual drinking. In fact, statistics show that more than half of Americans over the age of 12 drink alcohol. This translates into close to 140 million people who have consumed alcohol during the last month.

Of course, that does not mean that all of these individuals are alcoholics. It is possible to drink alcohol casually. Some examples of this include:

• Having a drink on a Friday night while you watch television.
• Enjoying a glass of champagne at a party.
• Going out for drinks with friends once a month.
• Having a glass of wine with your dinner.
• Having a beer with the guys while you watch the game.

Casual drinking does need to be kept in check, but for the most part, it's harmless.

Alcohol abuse refers to the overuse of alcohol. When someone drinks alcohol in excess, even one time, it is called abuse. Even so, alcohol abuse should never be confused with alcoholism. These are two very different things.

Alcohol abuse can happen when someone drinks too much one time. It can even happen if someone drinks too much several times in a month. The difference is that with alcohol abuse, there isn't a compulsion to drink.

When someone is an alcoholic, they feel compelled to drink. They often think of drinking as just a part of an ordinary day. These individuals feel as though without alcohol, they're not themselves. They need alcohol in order to feel normal.

Alcoholism can be displayed in a variety of behaviors. It can be seen in the binge drinker who spends all weekend getting drunk. It can also be seen in the high level executive who needs alcohol before he gets out of bed.

The question is, how do you know if you're an alcoholic? You can answer this question by looking at some of your own drinking behaviors. Have you noticed any of the following?

• You're no longer paying as much attention to your usual responsibilities.
• You've run into legal problems since you started drinking alcohol.
• You feel as though you need alcohol to help you get rid of stress.
• You turn to alcohol as a way to help with anxiety or depression.
• Alcohol seems to be the only thing that helps you relax.
• You're having relationship problems, but you still continue to drink.
• You have medical problems that can be linked to your alcohol use.

If you notice any of these in your own life, you may be an alcoholic.

It's possible that you notice many of the above behaviors in your life. However, you're still not sure that alcoholism is really your problem. You seem to be in control of your drinking behaviors. You don't fit in with what you would consider an alcoholic to be like.

You're not alone if you feel this way. There is something else you can do. You can take an alcohol addiction quiz. This quiz will ask you a number of questions about your alcohol consumption, and your behaviors. Answer each question honestly. Once you're finished, you'll be directed to your results. They will tell you if you are an alcoholic in need of treatment.

If you do find that you're an alcoholic, don't put off getting the help you need. The best time to seek help is right now.