How Does Alcohol Affect Family Relationships?
Content
Al-Anon
is a self-help organization for adults affected by another’s drinking; Alateen
provides similar support for adolescents. Therefore, you should use this resource primarily as a source of
support for affected family members. This assessment of family coping strategies
sets the stage for suggested interventions. After making this determination,
you should give the family feedback, either to assure them that the drinking
is not objectively a problem, or that it is problematic or a diagnosable disorder.
How does alcohol affect your relationships?
From intimacy issues, mistrust, a lack of communication to abuse, lack of emotional availability to financial burden and the adverse effects on young children; alcohol abuse in a romantic relationship can have severe effects on both partners, their children, and other family members.
Someone who displays codependent behavior may be frustrated by the needs and actions of their addicted loved one but may also feel a compulsive need to take care of that person. This creates a dynamic where the codependent relies on the one suffering from substance use disorder as much as the one suffering relies on the codependent. Their identity may become wrapped up in the “martyr” role, feeling compelled to “serve” or “sacrifice” for their partner, yet simultaneously acting to fulfill their own needs for attachment and closeness. Alcohol and drug use can often lead to emotional volatility, such as losing one’s temper easily or suffering from mood swings. Lashing out is more likely when someone feels constantly anxious or like they are being threatened at some level. It’s especially common when someone feels like a loved one stands in the way of their alcohol or drug use.
How Alcoholism Affects Relationships
Alcohol dependence, alcohol use disorder, is one of the most common addiction individuals struggle with. Not only can alcoholism wreak havoc on someone’s personal life, but also it dramatically affects every single relationship they are a part of. Perhaps, the most significant and most detrimental impacts come at the level of intimacy, partnership, and marriage. Alcohol destroys many romantic relationships, results in estranged marriages and causes a huge discourse between families. Couples in which a partner abuses drugs or alcohol are often very unhappy; in fact, these partners are often more unhappy than couples who don’t have problems with alcohol or other drugs, but who seek help for marital problems.
Individuals in the relationship who have codependent tendencies may also put aside their own needs to help the person with the addiction. Intimacy is created when you can feel vulnerable expressing yourself safely around someone else. When someone hides aspects of their life or personality, intimacy becomes difficult to achieve. In many cases, the lies and secrets come from a place of wanting to protect loved ones. Hiding behaviors related to alcohol use can prevent people in relationships from knowing just how badly someone is hurting.
Can You Repair Relationships That Are Damaged by Alcohol Use?
They can help determine whether what you’re experiencing is alcohol use disorder and recommend further evaluation or treatment if necessary. Alcohol use disorder can lead to lost friendships, estranged marriages and family conflict. Keep reading to learn about the connection between alcohol addiction and relationships and how to prevent or manage relationship issues caused by a drinking problem. Alcohol use disorder (AUD) is a common addiction, affecting nearly 15 million adults in the United States.
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Alcoholism also decreases sex drive, which can bring even more problems into an already strained relationship. As a person suffering from alcohol use disorder starts to incorporate sober house compulsive behaviors, it can be difficult to overcome in a relationship. It may feel next to impossible to reconnect with someone who is suffering from drinking dependencies.
How does alcoholism affect intimacy and sex?
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. If the issues in the relationship are not treated, they can set the stage for continued conflict and, in turn, relapse to drinking or drug use. Thus, lasting recovery from substance use depends, in part, on making the relationship better. Eliminating drinking or drug use is only the starting point; once sobriety is attained, a supportive caring relationship can be one of the strongest factors in making that sobriety last.
