High-functioning alcoholics – a separate type? The search for common features in current alcoholism typologies

The presented paper is a review of selected alcoholism typologies, some of which include the relatively well-functioning type. The analysis covers widely known typologies, deeply grounded in addiction psychology, as well as other research, all of which consider the shared characteristics of high-fun...

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Main Authors: Kamila Morawska, Jan Chodkiewicz
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Medical Communications Sp. z o.o. 2019-12-01
Series:Psychiatria i Psychologia Kliniczna
Subjects:
Online Access:http://www.psychiatria.com.pl/index.php/wydawnictwa/2019-vol-19-no-4/high-functioning-alcoholics-a-separate-type-the-search-for-common-features-in-current-alcoholism-typologies?aid=905
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author Kamila Morawska
Jan Chodkiewicz
author_facet Kamila Morawska
Jan Chodkiewicz
author_sort Kamila Morawska
collection DOAJ
description The presented paper is a review of selected alcoholism typologies, some of which include the relatively well-functioning type. The analysis covers widely known typologies, deeply grounded in addiction psychology, as well as other research, all of which consider the shared characteristics of high-functioning alcoholics. Thus, the aim of the paper is to provide an overview of these classifications of alcoholics, focusing on the groups whose traits are consistent with the image of high-functioning alcoholics described by Moss et al. (2007). It was found that the majority of classifications include a subtype showing features similar to high-functioning alcoholics (such as older age of alcohol use initiation, later onset of alcohol dependence, mild course of alcohol dependence, higher psychosocial functioning, low prevalence of familial alcoholism, low rates of comorbid psychiatric disorders, and lower level of withdrawal symptoms compared to other groups). However, there are significant differences in each of the mentioned typologies. Further research should expand on the subject, aiming to find particular personality and temperamental traits, personal resources and factors associated with undergoing addiction therapy/ treatment, its course and maintaining abstinence in high-functioning alcoholics. Moreover, negative consequences of alcohol abuse in high-functioning alcoholics should be assessed. Such research could have both practical (supporting the diagnosis and effective therapy) and theoretical implications (allowing for the development of a conceptual framework for highfunctioning alcoholics and the extent to which they differ from other types).
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spelling doaj.art-1ba70c1fd8f746008f7ec240f3618e012022-12-22T00:43:15ZengMedical Communications Sp. z o.o.Psychiatria i Psychologia Kliniczna1644-63132451-06452019-12-0119441141710.15557/PiPK.2019.0045High-functioning alcoholics – a separate type? The search for common features in current alcoholism typologiesKamila Morawska0Jan Chodkiewicz1Zakład Psychoprofilaktyki i Psychologii Uzależnień, Instytut Psychologii, Uniwersytet Łódzki, Łódź, PolskaZakład Psychoprofilaktyki i Psychologii Uzależnień, Instytut Psychologii, Uniwersytet Łódzki, Łódź, PolskaThe presented paper is a review of selected alcoholism typologies, some of which include the relatively well-functioning type. The analysis covers widely known typologies, deeply grounded in addiction psychology, as well as other research, all of which consider the shared characteristics of high-functioning alcoholics. Thus, the aim of the paper is to provide an overview of these classifications of alcoholics, focusing on the groups whose traits are consistent with the image of high-functioning alcoholics described by Moss et al. (2007). It was found that the majority of classifications include a subtype showing features similar to high-functioning alcoholics (such as older age of alcohol use initiation, later onset of alcohol dependence, mild course of alcohol dependence, higher psychosocial functioning, low prevalence of familial alcoholism, low rates of comorbid psychiatric disorders, and lower level of withdrawal symptoms compared to other groups). However, there are significant differences in each of the mentioned typologies. Further research should expand on the subject, aiming to find particular personality and temperamental traits, personal resources and factors associated with undergoing addiction therapy/ treatment, its course and maintaining abstinence in high-functioning alcoholics. Moreover, negative consequences of alcohol abuse in high-functioning alcoholics should be assessed. Such research could have both practical (supporting the diagnosis and effective therapy) and theoretical implications (allowing for the development of a conceptual framework for highfunctioning alcoholics and the extent to which they differ from other types).http://www.psychiatria.com.pl/index.php/wydawnictwa/2019-vol-19-no-4/high-functioning-alcoholics-a-separate-type-the-search-for-common-features-in-current-alcoholism-typologies?aid=905alcohol dependencehigh-functioning alcoholicstypologies of alcoholism
spellingShingle Kamila Morawska
Jan Chodkiewicz
High-functioning alcoholics – a separate type? The search for common features in current alcoholism typologies
Psychiatria i Psychologia Kliniczna
alcohol dependence
high-functioning alcoholics
typologies of alcoholism
title High-functioning alcoholics – a separate type? The search for common features in current alcoholism typologies
title_full High-functioning alcoholics – a separate type? The search for common features in current alcoholism typologies
title_fullStr High-functioning alcoholics – a separate type? The search for common features in current alcoholism typologies
title_full_unstemmed High-functioning alcoholics – a separate type? The search for common features in current alcoholism typologies
title_short High-functioning alcoholics – a separate type? The search for common features in current alcoholism typologies
title_sort high functioning alcoholics a separate type the search for common features in current alcoholism typologies
topic alcohol dependence
high-functioning alcoholics
typologies of alcoholism
url http://www.psychiatria.com.pl/index.php/wydawnictwa/2019-vol-19-no-4/high-functioning-alcoholics-a-separate-type-the-search-for-common-features-in-current-alcoholism-typologies?aid=905
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