Living With an Alcoholic Spouse

To learn more about the treatment process and explore treatment options at one of American Addiction Centers facilities, reach out to an admissions navigator at . They can help you not only explore therapy options for your spouse and your entire family but also identify tailored treatment programs to meet the unique needs of your loved one. There are many ways to help your wife if you’re worried about her drinking. Keep in mind that if she’s drunk, it’s probably not the best time to start the conversation about her alcohol use. Typically, when a person comes to us with an alcohol addiction, they will go through an addiction treatment programme. This includes a free addiction assessment, medically-assisted alcohol detox and a residential treatment programme made up of intensive therapy and 12 months of free aftercare.

Best Practices for Living with an Alcoholic

What’s more, the mere presence of the addiction completely removes your ability to communicate honestly. And, the people you love have the power to hurt you more than anyone else in your life. Dealing with an alcoholic partner and coping with their alcoholic behaviours and tendencies can have a massive impact on a person’s life.

Addiction and alcoholism are family diseases because they affect the entire family, not just the person who is engaging in addictive behaviors. Family members tend to adopt unhealthy roles within the family dynamic to help themselves cope with the stress of living with an alcoholic. There are immediate issues, like violence, stress, and worrying about children, as well as lasting issues that cause harm for years to come. It is crucial to address and deal with the issue of drinking and to offer help but also to know when it is time to remove oneself from the situation for self-preservation. It is important to look out for one’s own health and well-being, and that of any children involved, by leaving the situation if all efforts to help are ignored and the negative and harmful behaviors continue. Discover safe drug detox treatment options to manage withdrawal with medical support, tailored programs, and expert care for a strong start on the path to recovery.

Toavoid enabling an alcoholic spouse, you may have to leave the home you share, which can seem like too brash of a decision. However, it sometimes takes a harsh reality to make an alcoholic see a situation for what it is. If not done carefully, confrontation can end badly, especially if the person is afunctioning alcoholicin denial or someone who has a history of verbal or physical abuse. In general, it may be smart to have other people present when confronting the alcoholic. When this happens, all members should address the effects of alcoholism on themselves individually and as a family unit. Sometimes this means attending Al-Anon meetings, while other times, it means removing yourself from the situation.

Living With an Alcoholic Spouse

Setting Boundaries and Taking Care of Yourself

By engaging in couples therapy and family counseling, families can work together to rebuild trust, strengthen relationships, and create a supportive network to aid the recovery process. When your loved one drinks or is experiencing withdrawal symptoms, their mood can become unpredictable. They might be friendly one moment, only to become angry and violent the next. According to the Foundations Recovery Network, up to two-thirds of cases of alcohol-related violence occur in close interpersonal relationships. If you’re living with someone who has AUD, it’s important to understand what’s behind the addiction to alcohol and to learn how to cope. Here’s what you need to know to overcome the challenges of alcohol addiction.

They likely don’t even realize they’re behaving this way, and they may not remember once the effects of the alcohol wear off. Someone with AUD may also become angry or irritable when they don’t have access to alcohol because they’re experiencing withdrawal. Making sure you‘re healthy and safe can make you a better support system for your loved one with AUD, however you chose to be there for them. You could steer them to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA) for general education on alcohol misuse or the NIAAA Alcohol Treatment Navigator tool to find local treatment options. There may be very little you can do to help someone with AUD until they are ready to get help, but you can stop letting someone’s drinking problem dominate your thoughts and your life. It’s OK to make choices that are good for your own physical and what does an enabler mean mental health.

Let’s talk about your recovery

They can answer your questions, explain the treatment options, even verify insurance. Leaving your spouse is a difficult choice, but above all you must keep your children and yourself safe. Ultimately, the goal is for your spouse to receive the treatment they require.

The consequences of living this way and doing nothing to try to make a change can be long-lasting and may include mental illnesses, chronic health problems, permanent injuries, and damaged relationships. Living with an alcoholic spouse is a difficult and emotionally charged situation. It is important to remember that you are not alone and that there are resources available to help you cope. Remember to take care of yourself, set boundaries, and seek support when you need it.

  1. For instance, withdrawing and hiding is a strategy of avoidance that may provide some temporary relief.
  2. Experiencing domestic violence, emotional abuse, or other hurtful actions like infidelity can further push partners to withdraw from family and friends.
  3. The effects of living with an alcoholic are both short-term and have lasting consequences.
  4. Sometimes, this high level of support, like dropping everything to help, results in an unhealthy relationship pattern called codependency.
  5. BetterHelp can connect you to an addiction and mental health counselor.

You may notice your spouse becoming increasingly irritated or anxious. A partner’s AUD doesn’t just affect their health and your relationship. If your partner has been abusive in any way, Nelson advises talking to a trusted loved one, trained therapist, or both. It may be worth getting support from a therapist as you attempt to navigate a marriage or committed partnership with someone living with AUD.