Why an Alcoholic Cannot Love

A Healthy Relationship and Withstanding Alcoholic Behaviors

Alcoholism is a debilitating condition. It can break the bonds between family members and friends. It can cause individuals to become abusive and engage in destructive behavior. It leads to strained relationships. Those who struggle with alcoholism cannot maintain healthy relationships with their loved ones.

Rehabs Of Armerica offers solutions for those who wish to overcome their drinking problems or help a loved one to do so. Keep reading to find out more about ‘why an alcoholic cannot love,’ as well as get options for the effective treatment of alcoholism!

Active Alcoholism Breaks the Bonds of Love and Friendship

Alcoholic love is unhealthy. Here is a short illustration of someone with an alcoholic partner.

Meet Tom and Sarah (pseudonyms), a couple in love. Tom has a history of alcohol abuse that has worsened over the years. It led to his current state of active addiction. Sarah adores her romantic partner. But his Alcohol Use Disorder creates a codependent relationship. They both abuse each other verbally and struggle to change. Tom’s addiction also strains his relationships with his children and friends. He likes to control Sarah and their kids. Being an alcoholic causes painful feelings for his aging parents.

Despite his struggles, Tom recognizes that he must accept treatment. He realizes that he’s an alcoholic. He also knows how it impacts not only his life but also the lives of those around him. He reached out to Rehabs Of Armerica, seeking counseling and rehabilitation recommendations. Their staff knew how to seek treatment to overcome his addiction and heal his relationships with his loved ones.

Admitting he must stop drinking and reaching out is a brave first step. Once Tom receives treatment, he will be on the way to reclaiming his life and healing broken bonds.

If You Deal With Physical Abuse, Get Immediate Help!

Living in a constant state of fear due to a partner’s physically abusive behavior is not OK. Call the National Domestic Violence Hotline for immediate help. You can reach them at 800.733.7233. The line is confidential, and we encourage you to call for help right away.

You do not need to accept physical abuse from your partner or a family member. Your own life is at risk.

What Are the Differences Between Alcohol Addiction and Alcohol Abuse?

Some people use the terms alcohol abuse and alcohol addiction interchangeably. But the two have distinct differences.

Alcohol abuse refers to excessive and problematic drinking, leading to negative consequences. These can be accidents, legal problems, and relationship issues.

Alcohol addiction, on the other hand, is a medical condition known as Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD). It means an individual has a physical and psychological dependence on alcohol.

It’s important to note that being an alcoholic is neither a moral failing nor a lack of willpower. It is a medical condition that requires professional help. Identifying the signs and symptoms of an alcoholic is the first step. It can help a loved one determine whether a person needs treatment or counseling to navigate sobriety.

What are the Key Signs of Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism?

The signs of alcohol abuse and addiction can manifest in various ways. You may notice behavioral, social, and physical symptoms in someone who may abuse alcohol.

Behavioral symptoms of an alcoholic include these:

• Drinking alone or in secret
• Drinking to cope with stress or negative emotion
• Inattention to a loved one, including partner and family
• Driving or working while impaired, regardless of the consequences
• Neglecting responsibilities at home or work
• Manipulation or distorting the truth
• They won’t admit that the problem is out of control

Social symptoms of an alcoholic may include problems like the following:

• An inability to keep old friends
• Difficulty getting along with co-workers or colleagues
• Negative legal interactions
• Financial struggles
• They blame others for their problems, never seeing it’s their fault
• New friends (who also drink)

Physical symptoms of an alcoholic may include these signs of alcoholism:

• Weight loss
• Weight gain or bloating
• Dark circles around the eyes
• Tremors
• Redness of the skin, especially around the nose and cheeks
• Eyes that lack clarity

Recognizing these signs and symptoms is crucial to helping someone treat their substance abuse. If you or someone you know currently struggles with alcohol abuse, contact Find Addiction Rehab. There is hope for recovery, and help is available.

5 Reasons Why Alcoholics Can’t Love

Alcoholism can profoundly impact an individual’s ability to love. Thus, you cannot have a strong relationship with an alcoholic–until you convince them to seek recovery. Here, we explore the five key reasons why alcoholics struggle to love. We’ll also use fictitious scenarios to explain the alcoholic’s behavior better.

1) Addicted people do not love themselves

An alcoholic cannot love others. That’s because they often have low self-esteem and negative self-talk. This leads to a lack of self-love. Without self-love, it isn’t easy to form healthy connections. That’s because individuals may not believe they deserve love or know how to give it.

Meet James, a man struggling with alcoholism. James constantly puts himself down. Deep down, he feels unworthy of love or happiness. He has a negative self-image. His negative emotions led to low self-esteem and self-doubt. James finds it challenging to form meaningful connections. That’s because he doesn’t believe he deserves love or affection.

Until James heals from the alcohol abuse, he will not be able to love others.

2) Alcoholism traps them in dysfunctional relationships

A drinking problem can lead to codependency and an unhealthy bond. Both parties enable each other’s destructive behavior. This cycle can make challenges in forming meaningful connections or family trust.

Sam and Lee have been in a difficult relationship for years. Sam is a person with a drinking problem. It has led to enabling and dysfunction within their relationship. Lee enables Sam’s behavior. They even provide them with the next drink when they demand more. Their lives revolve around alcohol. They often neglect their own needs. This cycle of enabling and codependency creates a toxic dynamic. Neither of them can form healthy connections.

Until Sam and Lee seek help, they cannot overcome issues and move forward.

3) People with substance abuse disorder have skewed priorities

Individuals struggling with addiction may focus on alcohol over their real life. Drinking becomes more critical than real responsibilities. This messy situation creates tension and conflict. A loved one may feel neglected or ignored.

Meet John, a man struggling with a drinking problem. John prioritizes obtaining and drinking over his family and responsibilities. His addiction has caused him to neglect his long-time friends. That led to a sense of tension all around him.

4) Alcoholics are not emotionally available

Substance abuse can cause individuals to become emotionally detached. That makes it difficult to connect with others on an emotional level. It also leads to a lack of intimacy and distance within relationships.

Jenny is an alcoholic, causing her to reach a point of detachment from her feelings. She finds it challenging to connect with others on an emotional level. It has led to a constant strain on her family and partner. This distance has caused tension and verbal abuse within her world. Her loved ones feel hurt, neglected, and ignored.

5) They often suffer from King Baby Syndrome

This term refers to the belief that an individual is the center of the universe. They think others should cater to their needs. This mindset can make it challenging to form healthy relationships. That’s because individuals may struggle to empathize with others. They behave in a selfish way, focusing on their needs over those of a loved one.

Mark believes that he is the center of the universe. He wants to control others and thinks others should cater to his needs at every moment. Mark’s substance abuse has caused him to become self-centered and ego driven. He often lacks empathy and kindness toward others. This mindset makes it difficult to form healthy relationships. Mark struggles to focus on the needs of his loved ones over his own.

Connect to Recovery Resources to Treat Alcoholism and Restore a Relationship

Overcoming alcoholism is a journey that often requires professional help and support. Fortunately, many resources are available to an alcoholic. These include Al-Anon meetings, Alcoholics Anonymous (AA), and behavioral counseling.

Al-Anon meetings are support groups for those who love an alcoholic. These meetings offer a safe and supportive space for individuals. They can share their experiences and gain insight into the reality of why they started to drink. Al-Anon meetings can help a loved one develop coping strategies and set boundaries for themselves. They also learn how to support their loved ones through recovery.

AA is a 12-step program. The support group provides an alcoholic with the support and guidance they need. AA meetings offer a safe, supportive space for individuals to share their experiences. They also listen to gain insight into substance abuse. Through the program, individuals develop the skills to stay sober. They also learn how to restore the love and trust of others.

Behavioral Health and Counseling Options

Behavioral counseling can also be a helpful therapy and resource for an alcoholic. Behavioral counseling will treat individuals by developing coping strategies, addressing underlying mental health issues, and developing the skills to maintain sobriety. They also learn what healthy love looks like. These rehabilitation facilities have counselors who specialize in addiction. Depending on the severity of someone’s substance abuse, they can offer either inpatient or outpatient services.

The loved one of a person struggling with AUD deserves support and self-care. This person has experienced broken promises, disappointment, upheaval, and pain. Seeking counseling and support can help loved ones heal. They learn to form a healthy bonds with their loved ones in recovery.

Rebuilding Love Is Possible with Effective Resources

Alcohol use by a loved one can take a heavy toll on you. Loving an alcoholic is complicated. But rebuilding and restoring them with time, counseling, and treatment is possible. It starts with setting boundaries as you navigate this time of change. The family or partner of an alcoholic often bears the brunt of the emotional pain and turmoil caused by substance abuse. So it is important to remember that you deserve support and care.

Rekindling a broken relationship takes time and effort. But it is possible in many cases with the right tools and support. Seeking treatment is a crucial step toward healing and recovery.

Reaching Out for Recovery Today

If you or someone you love currently faces a drinking problem, convince them to get help. With the right resources and support, overcoming addiction and restoring love is possible. It might even make them even stronger in the future.

Rehabs Of Armerica offers resources and recommendations for every alcoholic and their family. With professional treatment and support, individuals can overcome this difficult time, rebuild their families, and restore happiness and health.

Make the confidential call and get options to help your loved one from accredited facilities nationwide, now!

Anna M.( Senior Content Writer )

Anna M. joined Find Addiction Rehabs with extensive experience in the field of addiction treatment. As a former Nurse Practitioner in Miami, she found her passion for addiction treatment when a family member was lost to his disease. With each article and resource, she hopes to save other families from experiencing the anguish of a loved one’s passing due to drinking or drugs.