7 Types of Alcohol Consumer: Which One Are You?

Roughly 60% of Americans drink alcohol, but not all of them have the same relationship with booze. Some of us only drink a few glasses per year, while others drink heavily almost every day.

Understanding what type of alcohol consumer you are is important for determining whether your relationship with drinking is healthy or not. Below is a guide to the 7 types of alcohol consumer and how to identify each one.

1. The social drinker

The social drinker only drinks on social occasions (e.g. parties, weddings, gatherings with friends). They don’t choose to drink alone at home and can potentially go weeks or months without drinking.

Drinking is a choice simply to fit in - whereas a non-drinker refuses alcohol in all situations, a social drinker doesn’t mind joining in a champagne toast or grabbing a beer with friends. This is often a very healthy relationship with alcohol. However, social drinkers should be wary of giving into peer pressure too often - hanging out regularly with heavy drinkers could quickly turn you into one.

2. The light drinker

Unlike the social drinker, the light drinker may occasionally choose to have alcohol on their own. However, they do not drink often - typically choose to consume less than three drinks per week.

Light drinkers often do not have to worry about any lasting damage unless they have underlying health problems. Most drinkers can be categorized as light or social drinkers.

3. The moderate drinker

If you’re a moderate drinker, you may choose to consume between 3 to 8 drinks per week. This could include a single beer or glass of wine per day in the evening, or you may drink more heavily at the weekend but not on weekdays.

Moderate drinkers may be passionate about beer or wine but generally don’t drink enough to cause any lasting damage. This is a good level to strive for if you like a tipple, but you should be very careful of letting it teeter into heavy drinking territory.

4. The heavy drinker

US alcohol guidelines advise that women drink no more than 8 drinks per week and men drink no more than 15 drinks per week. Anything beyond this is classed as ‘heavy drinking’ and is known to cause significant risk of health problems.

Quite a lot of us slip into this category without realizing - a drink per night and a few extras at the weekend is all it takes. Taking active steps to reduce consumption such as not drinking on weekdays or even having occasional ‘no booze’ weeks is recommended to give your liver a break (and prevent heavy drinking becoming alcoholism).

5. The binge drinker

The binge drinker is a variation of the heavy drinker that is worth singling out. Whereas heavy drinkers spread out their drinking and don’t always get tipsy, binge drinkers may go a whole week without alcohol and then quickly consume 8 or more drinks in one night with the intention of becoming drunk. Binge drinking is defined as anything more than 4 drinks within 2 hours. Weekly binges are just as bad for the body as heavy drinking and can also lead to reckless choices for those unable to control their inhibitions.

6. The functioning alcoholic

Medically known as AUD (alcohol abuse syndrome), alcoholism is defined as inability to stop or limit drinking - often accompanied by cravings and withdrawal symptoms. Functioning alcoholics typically need to drink every day to feel normal, but this does not impact their negative day-to-day life. Such drinkers can hold down jobs, care for kids and manage housework to the point that they may not seem like they have a problem on the surface. But the heavy alcohol consumption can still commonly lead to physical health problems if not dealt with (plus functioning alcoholics can quickly switch into non-functioning alcoholics). While some functioning alcoholics try to give up or limit alcohol, they typically find it very difficult and may struggle to function without it. To help cut down or quit, it’s worth looking into recovery apps, support groups or therapy. Those who are already experiencing health problems may meanwhile benefit from alcohol rehab - especially if withdrawal symptoms are severe.

7. The non-functioning alcoholic

This is the unhealthiest type of alcohol consumer. Non-functioning alcoholics similarly cannot stop or limit their drinking, but this also prevents them from handling day-to-day responsibilities. Such a problem does not just affect them but everyone in their life, and so it is much more serious. Going completely sober is recommended if you think you have a non-functioning addiction to alcohol. Many people are able to quit by seeking out support (which could include therapy, going to support groups or consulting family and friends). Because quitting is much harder than cutting down, it’s important that you find new healthy obsessions to fill the emptiness and that you track your sobriety progress, potentially setting goals and rewards along the way. The longer you abstain, the easier it will become to resist going back.

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