The Effects of Living With an Alcoholic Spouse

For someone who finds friends commenting on their alcohol intake, it can be more tempting to spend time with others engaged in heavy drinking who are unlikely to call you out for alcohol abuse. The lowering of inhibitions after drinking alcohol can lead to promiscuity, aggression, and sometimes even violence, especially damaging in a domestic setting. Alcohol and abuse in relationships can tend to go hand in hand as statistics show that a vast portion of domestic violence calls occur with an individual who is intoxicated. Learning more about how alcohol can affect your relationship is already an incredible step to be proud of.

These all directly affect relationships, resulting in jealousy, physical harm, anger, and lack of trust. If you have a loved one who is struggling with alcoholism, it can be difficult to know how to best support them. It is important to remember that you are not alone and that there are resources available to help you both cope with this disease.

Types of Family Therapy: Systemic

Alcohol use becomes compulsive, and a person will seek alcohol, even when it leads to serious consequences, like dangerous behavior and inability to function in daily life. At AspenRidge, a rehab center based in Denver, we understand the complex relationship between alcohol and relationships and the impact it can have on people’s lives. Our mission is to support and treat individuals struggling with alcohol addiction, helping them rebuild their relationships sober house and regain control over their lives. Alcohol and Relationships are two topics that often intersect, and the consequences of this intersection can be devastating. For individuals struggling with alcohol addiction, maintaining healthy relationships can be challenging, as alcohol can become the focus of their lives, and their loved ones may feel neglected or hurt. It is often understated what the partner of someone with an addiction endures.

These base rates for alcohol
problems and risky drinking are high in the general population, but they are
considerably higher in clinical populations. The important point here is substance abuse by a partner causes damage to the marriage or relationship, and these problems need to be treated, too. As previously indicated, the relationship and the issues within it need to be thoroughly addressed – if they aren’t, then conflict will continue, and the likelihood of a relapse increases. In this way, lasting recovery from alcohol dependency, in part, relies on making the relationship better. Aside from physical and mental abuse, alcohol addiction has other, significant consequences for relationships. If children are part of the equation, then there is a safeguarding issue that needs to be addressed.

Recognizing the Symptoms of Alcohol Abuse

While the findings suggest that relationships where the husband is the only person who drinks may tend towards less satisfaction, there is nothing to say that these relationships cannot work. Every relationship is different, and there are plenty of ways to have a satisfying and fulfilling relationship where only one partner drinks. Recent research suggests that married couples may enjoy better relationship satisfaction when they have the same drinking habits. Drinking in moderation may not be anything to worry about, but if your husband starts drinking more than the recommended levels, there may be cause for concern. Some people place more importance on sex than others, but this is still an important element of a thriving romantic relationship. If your drinking is causing you to pass out, blackout or get sick, this is going to put a damper on intimate activities.

• Codependence happens when one partner has an addiction to alcohol and the other takes care of them.
• 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.