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. Remember, taking care of yourself is not selfish but essential for your own well-being. By setting boundaries and prioritizing self-care, you can navigate the challenges of living with an alcoholic spouse while safeguarding your own emotional and mental health. It's important to be patient and persistent in your efforts to improve communication with your alcoholic spouse. Additionally, seeking support for yourself through individual therapy or support groups can provide valuable guidance and understanding.
What if my spouse becomes violent when they drink?
Substance use disorder is a primary, chronic, and progressive disease that sometimes can be fatal. No matter your background or expertise, your loved one will likely need outside help. 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…" However, certain things you can do may help relieve the pressure and, in some cases, also better help your loved one start their path to recovery.
Best Practices for Living with an Alcoholic
If you are living with an alcoholic spouse, there are steps you can take to encourage their sobriety and support their relapse prevention efforts. Supporting your loved one with AUD can be extremely beneficial to their recovery. This may involve keeping them safe while they’re drinking or offering to help find a treatment that suits them.
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Kristeen Cherney is a freelance writer and PhD candidate who specializes in covering topics related to mental disabilities, women’s health, skin health, diabetes, thyroid disease, asthma, and allergies. She’s also currently working on her dissertation, which explores intersections of disability studies and literacy Alcohol Poisoning Symptoms & Treatment studies. When she’s not researching or writing, Cherney enjoys getting outdoors as much as possible. When living with someone who has AUD, it’s important to understand that you didn’t cause the addiction. It’s also important to ask your loved one directly what you can do to help, especially during special events where alcohol may be served. Talk therapy (or play therapy for younger children) can also help you all work through the challenges AUD can present to a household.
AUDs can run in families, so it’s possible your spouse had an alcoholic parent which may be discussed in therapy. A therapist can offer assistance with devising a self-care plan and coach you on setting boundaries that align with your needs. But they can also help you identify any key signs suggesting it’s time to consider leaving the relationship, if only temporarily. Self-care includes setting healthy boundaries with your partner around behaviors you will and won’t accept, says Flagg.
- In fact, alcohol and substance abuse is the third most often cited reason for divorce according to women.
- In fact, it may even lead to your spouse getting the help that’s needed to recover.
- For example, post-treatment, this support will help them deal with alcohol cravings and will encourage them to keep going in difficult times.
Should I leave my spouse if they don't stop drinking?
As a result, the person with a SUD doesn't deal with the consequences of their actions. Someone with AUD typically doesn't want anyone to know the level of their alcohol consumption because if someone found out the full extent of the problem, they might try to help. John C. Umhau, MD, MPH, CPE is board-certified in addiction medicine and preventative medicine. For over 20 years Dr. Umhau was a senior clinical investigator at the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism of the National Institutes of Health (NIH).
Living with an alcoholic spouse can be an emotionally turbulent journey. It's essential to understand that alcoholism affects not only the individual with the addiction but also their loved ones, particularly their partner. In this blog post, we'll explore what it's like to live with an alcoholic spouse and provide guidance on how to navigate the challenges with compassion and resilience. When living with an alcoholic spouse, seeking appropriate treatment options is essential for both the well-being of the non-alcoholic spouse and the overall health of the relationship. Two potential treatment avenues to consider are individual therapy for the non-alcoholic spouse and couples therapy and family counseling.