How to Deal With an Alcoholic: Dos, Dont’s, Coping

The impact on your health and how you view the world can be long lasting. Even if your loved one doesn’t become violent from AUD, they can still present security dangers to the household. They may no longer perform the roles they once did, and they can disrupt family dynamics. But, as with drug addiction, an addiction to alcohol is considered a chronic, or long-term, disease. More than likely, your loved one knows the dangers of AUD, but their addiction is so powerful that they have a hard time controlling it.

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The wives of alcoholic clients might employ various coping strategies to curb the ill effects of their partner’s drinking. While some strategies have more positive outcomes than others yet individual differences exist. The coping strategy used is also a function of individual personality along with other situational determinants.

• Take their thoughts and opinions into consideration before you make any decisions.
• Loved ones of alcoholics usually get neglected when it comes to treatment.
• There can also be declines in their mental and overall health, especially if they’re not eating healthy diets or engaging in physical activity.
• Alcoholism is a disease, and you are not responsible in the same way you wouldn’t be responsible if your partner had hypertension or cancer.

Dealing with an alcoholic husband: 10 ways

Such styles when employed over years without any positive outcome ultimately compel the wives to engage in withdrawal coping. Table 2 depicts the problems faced by the wives of alcoholic clients in terms of frequency distribution of rating done by them. There were 70% wives who often felt anxious owing to the drinking problem of their husbands. More than 60% of wives also reported feeling mentally disturbed often.

Supported living

Daily drinking can have serious consequences for a person’s health, both in the short- and long-term. Many of the effects of drinking every day can be reversed through early intervention. While cirrhosis scars from Dealing and Living with an Alcoholic Spouse excessive drinking are irreversible, quitting alcohol and leading a healthier lifestyle can help your liver heal from alcohol-related liver disease. Alcohol detox isn’t easy and not everyone can do it on their own.

Learn as much as you can about alcoholism

Keep in mind that someone with alcohol dependence usually goes through a few stages before they are ready to make a change. Until they begin to contemplate quitting, any actions you take to “help” them quit will often be met with resistance. For those who love someone living with an addiction, it is very difficult to sit back and let the crisis play out to its fullest extent. It’s common for someone with AUD to try to blame their drinking on circumstances or others around them, including those who are closest to them. It’s common to hear them say, “The only reason I drink is because you…”

All other steps are related to emotional, interpersonal, and spiritual principles. There is no one-size-fits-all treatment process for alcoholism. The appropriate approach for alcoholism treatment depends on the extent of the addiction and whether the individual is trying to drink less or quit alcohol altogether.

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. There are many treatment options available for people misusing alcohol. Medication and psychological treatments are shown to be effective, according to 2019 research. Partners of those with AUD may find themselves blaming themselves or making excuses for their partner. Building up a support network around you — along with reading advice on how to cope — can help you get through the most challenging times. Whether they’re a partner, parent, or friend, living with someone with active alcohol use can create turmoil in your life.

• Establishing boundaries with your spouse is also crucial for maintaining your own mental and emotional well-being.
• When you call our team, you will speak to a Recovery Advocate who will answer any questions and perform a pre-assessment to determine your eligibility for treatment.
• People participating in Al-Anon understand the challenges and devastation of living and loving someone with a problem with alcohol.
• You may also want to control their drinking by forbidding them from drinking, confiscating their alcohol, or begging them to stop.

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. With time, patience, and the right resources, it is possible to navigate this challenging situation and come out stronger on the other side. Living with an alcoholic spouse can be an incredibly challenging and emotional journey.

Encouraging Sobriety and Supporting Relapse Prevention

If you’ve been covering up for your loved one and not talking about their addiction openly for a long time, it may seem daunting to reach out for help. However, it’s important to make sure you’re getting the support you need as well. Lean on the people around you, and, if you need to, reach out to a mental health professional to speak about your stress and what you’re going through. Living with an alcoholic spouse is challenging, and it can feel hopeless on some days. But you can help your partner see reasons to get help with the right approach. There are many options for getting help for alcoholics, and the quicker you act, the faster you can return your home to normal.