Living with an alcoholic spouse might be one of the biggest challenges you’ve ever undertaken. However, if you follow these tips, you’ll find that you may be able to cope better. Remember, a good temper is much more likely to have a positive effect on your spouse in the long run. What you really want to accomplish is recovery from the disease of alcoholism. Maintaining a positive attitude, even if you eventually have to leave your spouse, is the best way to achieve that.
Consider working with a therapist
Seeking support and help is crucial for both the person battling alcoholism and their family members. Accessing the right resources can provide guidance, emotional relief, and practical strategies for coping with the complexities of living with an alcoholic. Alcoholism’s effects extend beyond the individual struggling with alcohol; it strains relationships, affects mental health, and disrupts family dynamics. Living with an alcoholic presents unique and often overwhelming challenges.
- “There are scientific studies which prove that people who live in crisis have elevated levels of adrenaline and cortisol,” she explains.
- According to a small 2019 study, one of the most common triggers for people with AUD is simply being at a party or bar.
- Someone with alcoholism has both a physical and psychological dependence on alcohol.
- The scapegoat is the opposite of the hero in a family dynamic.
Practice What You’re Going to Say
- Here are some key avenues for finding support and seeking help.
- Treatment programs at The Recovery Village include a full spectrum of alcohol recovery services, from alcohol detox to rehab, aftercare and sober housing.
Let them know you are willing to understand what they are going through. Your loved one may be dealing with a lot of guilt and self-blame. So you should avoid shouting at them or judging their behavior.
Coping with an Alcoholic Partner or Family Member
Some persons with AUD may https://ecosoberhouse.com/article/cocaine-addiction-treatment-and-rehab/ attempt to move the conversation away from their ailment. They may also attempt to make excuses for their actions or even begin to highlight your flaws so their drinking pales in comparison. The act of denial always comes before the decision to accept treatment and then recovery.
It involves planning, giving consequences, sharing, and presenting a treatment option. Realize that you can’t force someone who doesn’t want to go into treatment. Imagine yourself in the same situation and what your reaction might be. An addiction is a brain disorder, after all, and not something that’s easily resolved. It can take 10 or more attempts at treatment before someone makes progress on overcoming an addiction.
It also introduces them to activities they can do to manage stress and stay sober. Talking to a friend about their alcohol problem can be challenging since your relationship is different from their family. They’re similar to other 12-step programs like Alcoholics Anonymous (AA). It provides a community where you can share your experiences and learn from other recovering couples.
Step 4: Approach and listen with honesty and compassion
You can help by offering unconditional support, including abstaining from drinking yourself. Al-Anon Family Groups (Al-Anon) was created to support families with alcoholic family members. Here, you can better take care of yourself and learn to set boundaries. Al-Anon can also help you support your child’s recovery in a constructive and healthy way. Therapy can help you learn healthy coping mechanisms for dealing with the addiction. It will also help you recognize unhealthy thought patterns, such as blaming yourself for your partner’s addiction.
- Seek help from a therapist or a counselor if you feel stressed or depressed.
- If your partner displays several of these behaviours, it may indicate a deeper issue with alcohol.
- However, some 12-step groups are spiritually based while others are not, so they may not appeal to or work for everyone.
- In that case, they might be dangerous in your relationship through different means, like using up their spare time at pubs, often absconding from work, or exceeding the limit on credit cards.
- They may falsely attribute these changes to aging, whereas the real culprit may be drinking.
Encourage Treatment
The lost child gets lost in the chaos and essentially slips into the background. They stay out of everyone’s way and try to avoid interaction and potential conflict with the rest of the family. Ben Lesser is one of the most sought-after experts in health, fitness and medicine. His articles impress with unique research work as well as field-tested skills. He is a freelance medical writer specializing in creating content to improve public awareness of leaving an alcoholic health topics.
An abusive alcoholic partner can damage your sense of self and safety, making it crucial to prioritise your own well-being. Reaching out for help can seem impossible – but there are many charities that can help – including The Samaritans, where you can speak or email confidentially with someone who is eager to help. Set expectations for the household, such as no alcohol around children or specific times when drinking is unacceptable. Feeling that addiction is a disease can make you feel hopeless, whereas understanding that it can be easy to get free from alcohol can be highly liberating.
