These may vary depending on the situation and the people involved, but studies have found that there are many commonalities. In one study, for instance, researchers interviewed 30 women who were wives of alcoholics about the issues they faced and the coping mechanisms they used. Remember, seeking support for yourself is not only beneficial for your own well-being but can also equip you with the tools to support your spouse more effectively.
How to deal with an alcoholic partner
It is important to be honest with them in an age-appropriate way and reassure them that they are not responsible for the situation. If your spouse becomes violent when they drink, it is important to prioritize your safety and the safety of any children involved. Consider seeking help from a domestic violence shelter or hotline. Remember, setting boundaries is not about controlling your spouse’s behavior but rather protecting yourself from the harmful effects of their addiction. If you identify these signs in your spouse, it may be an indication that they are struggling with alcoholism.
Therapy can help non-alcoholic spouses regain a sense of control over their own lives, build resilience, and develop strategies to navigate the complex challenges that come with living with an alcoholic spouse. It is important to seek out a therapist who specializes in addiction or has experience working with individuals affected by addiction. Alcoholism is a chronic disease characterized by an individual’s inability to control or stop their consumption of alcohol. It is a complex condition that affects both the physical and mental health of the person struggling with addiction.
Living with an Alcoholic: Family Roles, Codependency & How to Help
Find support for yourself.There aregroups, likeAl-Anon, that offer support to people who are struggling or suffering because of a family member’s alcoholism or addiction. Try not to enable your alcoholic spouse by excusing their behavior or caring for them when hungover. Some people can have alcohol use disorder and experience very few if any of these things. Other people have several of these symptoms but do not have a problem with alcohol. In addition to treatment programs for people with AUD, there are also support options available to those living with someone with alcoholism. For most people, a combination of treatment options offers the best chance at recovery.
How to Help an Alcoholic Spouse
But consider your wellbeing when making that decision, in spite of any internal or external pressures you may feel. Whether your spouse is male or female will help you to understand the specific dangers and co-occurrences of their AUD. Depression, anxiety disorders, bipolar disorder, and schizophrenia are all common in people with AUDs. Rebecca Strong is a Boston-based freelance writer covering health and wellness, fitness, food, lifestyle, and beauty. Her work has also appeared in Insider, Bustle, StyleCaster, Eat This Not That, AskMen, and Elite Daily.
You might, for instance, revisit some of your concerns about their alcohol use, including how their drinking affects you, any children or other family members, and your relationship as a whole. While it’s natural to feel upset as you experience the consequences of your partner’s drinking, Nelson encourages cultivating a sense of compassion for any pain they may be dealing with. Learn about drug detox duration, factors impacting timelines, and common withdrawal symptoms. Discover how medical supervision aids a safe and effective recovery process. Discover how rehab helps drug addicts overcome addiction through trusted rehab services, therapy, detox, skill-building, peer support, and aftercare for lasting recovery. 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.
- Depression, anxiety disorders, bipolar disorder, and schizophrenia are all common in people with AUDs.
- The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA), more than a third of U.S. adults who were dependent on alcohol are now in full recovery.
- People struggling with AUD will have intense mental and physical cravings when they aren’t drinking, as well as undergoing a range of withdrawal symptoms when they do stop.
- Establishing boundaries is crucial when living with an alcoholic spouse.
These are unhealthy because they ignore the real problem as it gets worse. Alcoholism is a disease, and the person who is drinking must take responsibility for their own recovery. When someone with AUD lives in your household, the rest of your family members can be at risk for negative effects. Some of the most common risks are the damage to your emotional and mental well-being. A therapist or support group, such as an Al-Anon family support group, can help you through this challenging time. Whether they’re a partner, parent, or friend, living with someone with active alcohol use can create turmoil in your life.
By taking care of yourself, you can navigate the challenges of living with an alcoholic spouse with greater strength and resilience. If analcoholic refuses to get help, the last thing you should do is make it easier for them to drink and indirectly support their behavior and choices. Unfortunately, ina study involving 80 people with alcoholic spouses, nearly half of them were moderately codependent, and 41% were severely codependent, meaning they enabled their partners’ destructive behaviors. Leaving isn’t always the best answer, but letting a partner’s addiction control your life isn’t healthy either.
It can help to start by recognizing that terms like “alcoholic” and “alcoholism” are both outdated, inaccurate ways to describe alcohol use disorder (AUD). This shift in language reflects current awareness of AUD as a mental health condition, not a personal choice. Have options available for how to change drinking habits or stop drinking. If the problem is severe, this may mean having a list of treatment options. Having Is Molly Addictive Dependence & Withdrawal Symptoms a spouse, especially when there are children, leave to attend treatment in a residential facility certainly poses additional problems.
