Many people refer to alcoholism as a “family disease” because it can have a major impact on all members of the family, whether they realize it or not. It’s essential to seek out support and resources to help yourself and other family members who may have been affected by their loved ones drinking. If you or someone you know has alcohol use disorder (AUD) and has relapsed, this is a common occurrence. You can take steps to get back on track after an alcoholic relapse has occurred, and you can watch for warning signs that you might need more intensive intervention. One of the most heartbreaking realities is that you can’t force someone to get sober. If your alcoholic husband or wife refuses treatment, that doesn’t mean you have to stay stuck.
When Their Drinking is Affecting Your Mental Health
- If you’ve had two or three of those symptoms in the past year, that’s a mild alcohol use disorder.
- It involves a lot of patience, understanding and setting boundaries.
- For more information on the topic, check out our blog on how a Christian wife can help support an alcoholic husband.
- A relapse can be a one-off event or even a short-term situation, but it is a part of your recovery.
- However, they may not be ready or willing to get addiction treatment.
- And in the US, up to thirty-eight million people have an alcohol addiction at some point in their lives.
Are you worried that your partner might have an alcohol use disorder? It can be surprisingly difficult to know if your partner is an alcoholic, as signs of alcohol abuse are often hidden or overlooked. This is because many alcoholics are good at hiding their addiction and the typical warning signs that come with it. Teachers or other parents may notice that a certain child is always picked up late or they never have a lunch packed for them. Trends like this indicate that the parent might be in trouble and that it may be necessary to step in and ensure everything is okay. It is possible to have an emotional relapse without having a single sip of alcohol.
Social and Relationship Challenges
This is a small list, but any of the points on it would be good signs that you may need outside intervention. However, you may find that you need professional treatment and intensive care, such as through an inpatient treatment program. If you aren’t sure whether you need treatment or not, a provider can conduct an assessment to determine what level of care you need. In recovery, you will understand what led you to consume alcohol in the first place and work to rectify maladaptive behaviors. If your alcoholic husband or wife has been emotionally or verbally abusive, or if you’ve lived in chronic instability, you may experience PTSD.
How to Live with a Functioning Alcoholic Husband
So, when your husband drinks too much and it comes time to address it, there are a few things you can keep in mind to make sure the conversation goes smoothly. Going through life with an alcoholic husband can be incredibly challenging, but you don’t have to face it alone. I say this as someone who almost put my husband in this situation.
- However, there are actions you can take to support both your husband and yourself through this challenging time.
- While you want to believe it could never happen to you, alcohol abuse can lead to aggression, unpredictable behavior, and loss of control.
- When you communicate with your husband, there are some things you should avoid.
- Be clear with the actions you’re prepared to take if your husband continues his destructive behavior.
- Your priority is your well-being and that of any children in the home.
There are many options available for individuals struggling with alcohol addiction, such as counseling, residential treatment centers, or 12-step programs like Alcoholics Anonymous (AA). It can be helpful to talk with your doctor or an addiction specialist about which option might be best for your husband’s specific needs. Having a partner struggle with substance abuse doesn’t just impact their life, but yours as well. Maybe your husband’s managing to hold down a job, but seems to be constantly drinking or always smells of alcohol.
How to Deal With An Alcoholic Husband with Addiction Treatment at Resurgence Behavioral Health
You might be on the receiving end of verbal aggression – harsh words, criticisms, or humiliating comments, especially during times of heavy drinking. Professional detox may help manage the withdrawal symptoms that can occur when someone experiencing alcoholism quits drinking suddenly. This can happen in an inpatient setting when the patient lives signs of an alcoholic husband and what to do in a medical treatment center.
As the spouse of an alcoholic, you face an increased risk of depression and low self-esteem. You may also struggle with trying to control the situation or attempting to cover up for his drinking. For instance, telling your family he is sick when he’s really hungover.
On the other hand, if your husband is open to treatment and wants help, working with a substance abuse facility to safely manage his detox and start his journey to recovery is your best bet. Social withdrawal is another indication that an alcoholic has relapsed. Another sign of self-isolation is failing to follow through on plans and personal responsibilities. This is often obvious to the people in the individual’s life who support him or her the most in recovery.
When Should You Consider an Intervention?
Treatment consists of removing the cause of the liver inflammation, which in the case of alcoholics, means abstinence. Again, he only needs to check two of these boxes to meet the criteria. You’ll see more and more signs the longer the problem drinking continues. And while it might be a hard pill to swallow – you may play a role in your partner’s drinking, as well. People living with an alcohol use disorder need to take action in order to achieve sobriety, which requires at least some small degree of willingness to change.
Even in the most advanced cases, support and treatment are available. Keep reading to learn more about the signs of the end stages of alcoholism, the effects it may have on health, and what you can do to get the help and support you or your loved one need. Alcohol use disorder is a progressive disease that includes a beginning, middle, and end-stage, which can result in life-threatening health conditions. It’s not often talked about, but left untreated, alcohol use disorder can be a fatal disease.
Set and Respect Clear Timelines:
After detox, your loved one will be better able to physically and mentally engage with other therapies included in their treatment plan. Whether they move from detox into residential inpatient treatment or live at home while undergoing outpatient treatment, counseling will be a huge part of their recovery process. Opting to stay home and drink rather than go out to a “dry” event is almost always preferable to someone with alcohol use disorder. They’d rather drink alone than spend time with loved ones in a sober state. Sooner or later, all alcoholics will experience a decline in performance when it comes to personal or professional responsibilities.
What to Do When Your Husband Is a Functioning Alcoholic
According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, past studies indicate that alcoholism and addiction run in families 2. Scientists are working on discovering the genes that play a role in the development of this dependence. Alcoholics are at risk for being involved in mishaps such as fires, accidents and murders. They also face the possibility of dying from the physical damage caused by drinking. Alcohol addiction is a subtle and nefarious disease that has the potential to rip apart families and destroy the life of the alcoholic. Dealing with alcoholism, and all its misconceptions, can feel like walking on eggshells and the majority of people are unsure how to handle such alien terrain.