Leaving an Alcoholic Husband or Wife: When is it Time to Go?

The present study findings are consistent to the available literature on same; however, the results highlight the role of culture and changing gender implications on their coping styles. The study, however, did not explore the subjective distress and pain the partners of alcoholic clients go through their lives as pure descriptive and cross-sectional assessment were done. The study also did not look into the association between demographic variables and coping styles used. A total of 30 wives of alcoholic clients seeking treatment in De-addiction Centre were interviewed for the same. The problems were identified using a non standardized 17 item structured questionnaire while coping in wives of alcoholics was assessed using standardized tool. Friends, roommates, or other family members who live with someone with AUD may also find themselves blaming the person or trying to control their drinking behaviors.

Whether that be enlisting the help of friends or family, calling a local outreach group, or calling the police to file a report and have them intervene. Leaving is usually much easier to say than do, but you must prioritize yourself and your family. But with professional addiction rehab, individuals can recover in a safer and more wholesome manner and live healthy, happy lives.

Programs

And the first person to distinguish the symptoms is usually the one who is closest to the individual facing the problem. Your spouse has incurred legal or financial burdens that you cannot drinks after work bear. For instance, you might want to address facts about what particular episodes resulted in without saying what they should do instead or try to self-diagnose your partner.

• Loved ones of addicts may find themselves continually picking up the pieces.
• A family addiction interventionist can help in these situations by offering both a consultation that involves family, friends, and roommates.
• Furthermore, data8from the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism shows that 25.8% of American adults engage in binge drinking within a given month.
• Offering help to a partner with an alcohol use disorder can be tricky.
• It can also help you learn coping mechanisms so you’re better equipped to navigate your relationship’s complexities.

At La Hacienda Treatment Center has successfully treated persons with alcoholism for 50 years. Our treatment team addresses the physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual dimensions of the disease. The cost of alcohol-related diseases and accidents is high, not just for the individual but also for society. In the US, the cost of excessive drinking was estimated at $249 billion. This is a great burden on the healthcare system, but with treatment and prevention, these costs can be significantly reduced.

Drinking More Alcohol Damages the Immune System

If you are observing warning signs of functional alcoholism and see it getting worse, it may be time to ask for help. Aside from being unhealthy, these habits can push you towards your own substance use disorder and further exacerbate the financial problems that excessive alcohol consumption already tends to create. As the body weakens, people with alcohol use disorder are prone to picking up infections and illnesses.

This may lead to serious arguments if the alcohol-dependent person is still in denial about their addiction, making a tense home environment even more difficult to endure. Unstable job prospects bring financial uncertainty for families affected, and the possibilities of long-term unemployment if the substance abuse problem isn’t treated is very real. This puts extra stress on spouses or partners who may have to carry the financial load, and children will sense the anxiety in the 20 popular recovery books household as well and suffer because of it. Needless to say, watching their loved ones battle such conditions in addition to alcoholism is highly stressful for family members. Spouses and children may eventually develop a range of physical and emotional health problems themselves, as a result of the constant stress and uncertainty they’re forced to live with. Many alcoholics suffer from pre-existing mental health conditions, and the relationship is certainly not coincidental.

Recognizing Alcoholism and Asking for Help

Be honest but emphasize concern for the individual’s health and well-being rather than listing personal complaints. Addiction is a brain disease and has negative consequences on how a person behaves and thinks. As addiction takes over, the individual can become very self-fulfilling and prioritize their needs above all else. Still, it can be quite challenging to leave, especially if you love the person.

Living in an unpredictable situation can lead to hypervigilance and anxiety. Left untreated, trauma can damage your physical and mental health. If your alcoholic spouse is acting in a way that puts you and your family’s well-being in jeopardy, you need to consider if staying in the relationship is worth it. Do you have someone in your life that you love dearly, but who is struggling with alcoholism? Are you struggling to deal with your alcohol addiction, and feeling helpless? According to a Harvard study, nearly one-third of American adults are excessive drinkers and 10% of them are considered to be alcoholics and fall into substance abuse.

Getting Help for a Functional Alcoholic

Alcohol abuse and alcoholism, and excessive alcohol use can run to anyone in the family. It does not matter what gender, race, or socioeconomic status a person is. However, some risk factors put people at a higher chance of developing alcoholism.

This may require therapy to fully accept that there is nothing you could have done to change the way they act. If you have an alcoholic partner and there are children involved, it would be a great decision to seek help in order to the most effective ways to fight alcohol cravings and urges take care of your children and the irreparable damage they might be experiencing. On the other hand, heavy drinkers are known for making excuses to regularly allow themselves four or more drinks on two or more out of seven days.

As a result, they become aware of how their childhood experiences shaped their adult life. If you want to help your spouse, it is critical you have anhonest conversation about your concerns. Pick a time when they are not under the influence, and they seem to be in a positive mood. Instead, be prepared to express your concerns, remind them that you are coming from a place of love and give specific examples of concerning behavior and the negative effects of their alcohol abuse.

According to the World Health Organization, 55 percent of assaults by one partner against another in the U.S. occurred after the perpetrator had been drinking. It has also found that heavier drinking and drinking more frequently are risk factors for domestic violence. Being unsatisfied in the relationship also increases the risk that one partner who drinks heavily will assault the other.

Supporting a loved one with alcohol use disorder through their addiction and even recovery can be challenging, yet social support is necessary for recovery. Sharing a home with them adds a whole new layer of complexity. If parents and family members assist along with the roommates, this can provide a wider range of awareness to the alcoholic.

Self Pay Options

Ultimately, you want to be working toward getting your partner to accept professional help for their alcoholism. When you love someone, all you want to do is make them happy. If you see that drinking makes them happy, it can be easy to fall into enabling patterns. However, enabling your partner will only drive them further into addiction. Instead of a partner you can rely on, you have one you have to worry about constantly.

Let’s take a look at some of the side effects that come along with living with an alcoholic. We’re here to help you figure out what in your life will change once you both make the decision to talk to someone and figure out the steps to recovery. Alcoholism is an all-encompassing disease that affects more than just the party abusing the substance. Partners, spouses, and family members are all directly affected by having a loved one who is suffering. Alcoholism can be a hindrance and you may not even realize it. The best way to support yourself is by understanding what alcohol addiction is, what it does, and having a support system set up for yourself.