What Are the Effects of Living With an Alcoholic Spouse?

If you’re living with an alcoholic spouse, you likely clearly understand the difficulties of this situation. It’s more than just some arguments and inappropriate behavior; alcoholism is a severe condition that can profoundly impact your life and the lives of those around you.

Let’s explore the effects of living with an alcoholic spouse and how best to deal with them!

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What is Alcoholism Use Disorder (AUD)?

AUD is a substance use disorder that causes an individual to consume alcohol compulsively despite its adverse effects.

It is also a progressive disease that can worsen without proper treatment.

Alcohol use disorders are common, with about 8.5 percent of adults in the United States having an alcohol use disorder.

A functioning alcoholic drinks excessively and regularly but still maintains daily responsibilities such as work, family life, and social activities.

They may hide their drinking from others for a while, but the disease will eventually catch up if left untreated.

Although there are genetic components to alcoholism, environmental factors can also influence it, such as stress or peer pressure.

What Are the Signs of Alcoholism?

Alcoholism affects individuals differently.

Some may experience more severe symptoms than others; some may become physically dependent on alcohol, while others may have more psychological issues.

Commonly seen warning signs of alcoholism include:

• Frequent intoxication
• Lack of control over drinking
• Craving for alcohol
• Neglecting responsibilities
• Social and interpersonal issues
• Defensiveness about drinking habits

What Are the Effects of Living with an Alcoholic Spouse?

Living with an alcoholic partner can be a difficult and often traumatic experience, as alcoholism comes with a wide range of personal and relational consequences.

Some effects of living with an alcoholic include:

Domestic Violence

One of the most severe effects of living with an alcoholic spouse is partner violence.

According to a recent U.S. Department of Justice report, alcohol abuse is cited in nearly half of all domestic violence cases reported yearly.

Financial Strain

Beyond the risk of domestic violence, other issues often arise when living with an alcoholic spouse, such as financial struggles because of money spent on alcohol.

Health Problems

Addiction-related medical problems such as liver damage or health complications are associated with persistent alcohol abuse or mixing substances while drinking.

Mental Health Issues

Often, alcohol use accompanies other mental health issues such as anxiety, depression, or bipolar disorder.

Lack of Intimacy

Living with an alcoholic spouse can cause a lack of intimacy in the marriage, as the alcoholic may not sustain relationships because of their drinking habits.

This can cause increased feelings of loneliness and isolation for both partners.

Breakdown of Trust

One may experience a lack of trust in their partner because of the unpredictable behaviors that often come with living with someone struggling with addiction.

Besides these concerns is the stress brought on by feelings of guilt or embarrassment in social settings because of their alcohol consumption.

What Are Addiction Treatment Options?

Plenty of helpful resources are available for those struggling with alcoholism, including:

• Outpatient support groups such as Alcoholics Anonymous (A.A.) meetings
• Residential rehab facilities that provide comprehensive treatment plans tailored to the individual’s needs
• Outpatient rehab facilities that allow clients to continue with work and education while receiving alcohol addiction care
• Medication-assisted treatment can help reduce withdrawal symptoms and cravings

Treatment plans can combine dual diagnosis treatment with therapies that allow individuals to find strength amongst others who have faced similar challenges in life.

How to Support the Recovery of a Family Member

Once your spouse receives professional help and progresses in recovery, you must continue to provide support throughout their journey.

This can be achieved by doing activities together like:

• Attending 12-step meetings together
• Engaging in enjoyable activities outside of the home, such as taking classes or going on walks around town together
• Engaging in meaningful conversations about problem drinking and the recovery process
• Maintaining an empathetic attitude towards your spouse and allowing them to feel safe when expressing their feelings
• Provide positive reinforcement for any positive changes made because of their recovery efforts.

Even if it feels awkward to you at first, these small things can make a vast difference in creating a meaningful connection between two partners again after discovering healthier pathways for positive change in life.

Prevail Recovery Center Treats Alcoholism in South Florida

Living with an alcoholic husband or wife requires patience, understanding, and support.

At Prevail Recovery Center, we aim to provide comprehensive and compassionate care that helps individuals achieve lasting sobriety, health, and wellness.

Our experienced team of professionals will work with you every step of the way to ensure that you have the best chance of achieving your recovery goals. Contact us to discover more about our alcohol treatment and outpatient rehab in Fort Lauderdale.