Loving an Alcoholic

The Hardships of Loving an Alcoholic

Loving an alcoholic can be a very difficult and challenging experience. It can be emotionally draining, unpredictable, and often isolating. You may feel like you are constantly walking on eggshells, never knowing when your loved one’s drinking will cause problems. You may also feel responsible for their drinking, even though you know that it is not your fault.

Whether you have an alcoholic partner, family member, or other relationship, the strain this can put on your well-being can be extreme. It is important to understand that, with the right support and treatment, alcoholic relationships can be turned into healthy relationships.

Keep reading to learn more about the realities of loving an alcoholic, and how Find Addiction Rehabs can help your loved one get started on their road to recovery today.

What it Means to Have an Alcohol Use Disorder

Alcohol use disorder (AUD) is a chronic relapsing brain disorder characterized by compulsive alcohol use, despite harmful consequences. It is considered a spectrum disorder that affects the person’s brain chemistry, meaning that it can range from mild to severe.

Alcohol addiction is a serious disease that is often accompanied by destructive behavior and hardship. If you know and are close to an alcoholic person, then it comes as no surprise that addiction is often referred to as a family disease due to its ability to harm not just the addicted person, but the people around them as well.

The Nature of Alcoholic Love Relationships

It is important to understand that your loved one’s behavior is not a reflection of how they feel about you. This disease can make it feel impossible for your loved one to avoid drinking and will cause them to seek out their next beverage by any means possible.

Of course, just knowing that your loved one’s destructive behaviors are not intended to hurt you does not mean they are without consequence. Having an addicted loved one can be one of the most painful and stressful situations to be put in.

What is it Like to Love an Alcoholic?

If you have an addicted loved one, you know that this is difficult for both you and the struggling person. There are many things that you may experience when a loved one is suffering from an alcohol use disorder, including:

• Unpredictability: You may never know when your loved one will start drinking or how much they will drink. This can make it difficult to spend time with them or plan anything, and it can be very stressful.
• Lies and manipulation: Alcoholics often lie to their loved ones about their drinking. They may also try to manipulate you into enabling their drinking. Broken promises and lies personally told to you can sever trust in these relationships.
• Financial and legal problems: Alcoholism can be very expensive. Your loved one may spend a lot of money on alcohol, and they may also lose their job due to their drinking.
• Health problems: Alcoholism can lead to a number of health problems, including liver disease, heart disease, and cancer. Your loved one may also be more likely to get into accidents or injuries while they are drinking.
• Violence: Alcoholism can increase the risk that your loved one may become verbally or physically abusive when they are drinking. Experiencing domestic violence and verbal abuse can be traumatic and cause serious strain in your relationship.
• Isolation: Alcoholics often isolate themselves from their loved ones. This can be very lonely and frustrating for you and may make it difficult to focus on your own life and well-being.

If you love an alcoholic, it is important to remember that you are not alone. There are many people who have been through similar experiences. Find Addiction Rehabs can help connect you to resources for coping with the challenges of loving an alcoholic.

If you are experiencing domestic violence as a result of your loved one’s substance abuse, it is important to seek help immediately. You can call the national domestic violence hotline at 800-799-7233 to get immediate support for your situation.

7 Signs Your Loved One is Struggling With Alcohol Abuse

Many people will drink at some point in their lives. This behavior is often socially accepted and even encouraged in many situations, making it difficult for some people to determine whether their loved one is addicted, or simply just having a good time.

With that being said, there are several signs that you can look out for to determine whether your loved one is struggling with active alcoholism or an alcohol use disorder, including:

• Loss of control: Your loved one is unable to stop drinking once they have started, or unable to control or quit drinking on their own.
• Negative emotional state: Your loved one may regularly feel anxious or irritable when they are not drinking.
• Tolerance: Your loved one needs to drink more alcohol to get the same effect.
• Withdrawal symptoms: When your loved one stops drinking, they develop physical and emotional side effects.
• Preoccupation with alcohol: Your loved one seems to regularly think about using or acquiring alcohol.
• Giving up activities that they enjoy: Your loved one is cutting back on activities that they used to enjoy in order to drink alcohol.
• Getting into trouble because of alcohol: Your loved one is regularly getting into legal trouble, having financial problems, or getting into arguments with others because of their drinking.

It is important to keep in mind that addiction is a progressive disease, and not everyone will display these signs exactly the same. If you do recognize certain behaviors and signs in a loved one that may indicate a problem, it is important to seek treatment. With the right support, it is possible for your loved one to recover and rebuild a healthy relationship.

Support Groups for Family Members and Friends of Alcoholics

While understanding that addiction is a medical condition that your loved one may not always have control over can help you come to terms with their unacceptable behavior, this does mean their actions do not have a toll on you.

It is important that all parties involved in this situation get the support they need, including yourself. Some things you can do to deal with the toll your loved one’s addiction has taken on your well-being include:

• Therapy and counseling: If you are struggling to cope with the challenges of loving an alcoholic, a therapist can help you understand your loved one’s alcoholism and develop coping strategies.
• Finding a support group: There are many support groups available for people who are loving an alcoholic. These groups can provide you with emotional support and practical advice.
• Practicing self-care: Take care of yourself: It is important to take care of yourself physically and emotionally. This means getting enough sleep, eating healthy foods, and exercising.

It is important to set boundaries with your loved one. This means letting them know what you will and will not tolerate. Setting boundaries with your loved one is essential for protecting yourself and your own mental and emotional health.

What to Do if Your Loved One Has a Drinking Problem

Now that you know how to take care of yourself in this difficult time, you are ready to understand how you can help your loved one. The first thing to know is that those who are struggling with an addiction can have a hard time with their own decision-making.

This can often lead to a codependent relationship, in which you are making their decisions for them. But the only person who can make the choice to regain control of their lives is them. The best course of action for these individuals is to seek professional help.

With that being said, some things you can do to help your loved one include:

Educating Yourself

The more you know about alcoholism, the better equipped you will be to deal with the challenges of loving an alcoholic. Let your loved one know that you love and support them, even if you don’t approve of their substance use.

This can be a difficult thing to do, but it is important to let them know that you are there for them. Of course, it is important to differentiate between supportive and codependent relationships. Educating yourself on healthy relationship dynamics and how you can avoid enabling your loved one’s substance abuse is also important during this time.

Participating In Couples Therapy

Behavioral couples therapy is a form of psychotherapy that helps couples improve their communication, solve problems, and build a stronger relationship. A licensed therapist, often a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT), will work with you and your partner to identify the issues in your relationship and develop strategies for addressing them.

When dealing with an alcoholic partner, couples therapy can be invaluable, helping you and your loved one to improve several areas, including:

• Communication skills: If you and your partner have difficulty communicating effectively, couples therapy can help you learn how to listen to each other better, express your feelings more clearly, and resolve conflict in a healthy way.
• Problem-solving skills: If you and your partner are having trouble solving problems together, couples therapy can help you learn how to work together as a team and come up with solutions that are mutually agreeable.
• Improved intimacy: If you and your partner are struggling with intimacy, couples therapy can help you reconnect with each other emotionally and physically.
• Improving expectations: If you and your partner have different values or expectations for your relationship, couples therapy can help you find common ground and create a shared vision for the future.

Attending Couples Rehab

Couples rehab is a type of addiction treatment program that is designed for couples who are both struggling with substance abuse. This type of program can be very beneficial for couples because it allows them to work on their addiction together, as well as the underlying issues that may have contributed to their addiction.

There are many benefits to couples rehab, including:

• Increased motivation and support: When couples attend rehab together, they can provide each other with increased motivation and support. This can be especially helpful for couples who are struggling to stay sober on their own.
• Improved communication skills: Couples rehab can help couples to improve their communication skills. This is important for couples in recovery because it allows them to communicate more effectively about their addiction and their recovery.
• Increased understanding of addiction: Couples rehab can help couples to gain a better understanding of addiction. This can help them to better understand one another and how to support each other in recovery.
• Reduced risk of relapse: Couples rehab in California (or anywhere for that matter, but it is a much more common offering in the Golden State) can help to reduce the risk of relapse. This is because couples in recovery are more likely to stay sober if they have the support of their partner.

If you are considering couples rehab, there are a few things you should keep in mind. First, it is important to find a program that is right for you and your partner. There are many different couples rehab programs available. The Find Addiction Rehabs team can help you do your research and find one that fits your needs.

Second, it is important to be prepared for the challenges of couples rehab. Couples rehab can be a difficult process, but it can also be very rewarding. If you are both committed to recovery, couples rehab can help you to build a stronger relationship and achieve long-term sobriety.

How to Help Your Loved One Get Sober

If your loved one is ready to get sober, the most important thing you can do is encourage them to seek professional treatment. There are many different types of treatment available, so you can help them find one that is right for them.

It is important to remember that you cannot force your loved one to get sober. They have to make the decision for themselves. However, you can offer them your love, support, and guidance. With your help, they can achieve sobriety and a better life.

The Importance of Professional Treatment

There are many treatment options available to help those who are struggling with an alcohol use disorder. When your loved one is ready, they will have many services to choose from on their road to recovery, including:

Medical Detox for Alcohol Withdrawal

Medical detox is the process of safely and comfortably withdrawing from alcohol under the supervision of a medical professional. It is the safest and most effective way to detox from alcohol, especially if your loved one has a history of severe withdrawal symptoms or other medical conditions.

During medical detox, they will be monitored by a doctor or nurse who will adjust their medication and treatment as needed to manage their symptoms. They will also receive supportive care, such as fluids, electrolytes, and nutrition.

The length of time they will need to stay in medical detox depends on the severity of their withdrawal symptoms. Most people stay for 3-5 days, but some people may need to stay longer.

Medical detox is not a cure for alcohol use disorder, but it is an important first step in the recovery process. After detox, they will need to continue with treatment to address the underlying causes of their addiction.

Inpatient and Outpatient Treatment

The best type of treatment for alcoholism depends on the individual’s needs and circumstances. Generally, though, inpatient treatment will be the best option for your loved one. Residential care is more intensive and provides 24/7 care, while outpatient treatment is less intensive and allows the individual to continue with their daily life.

Some factors to consider when choosing between inpatient and outpatient treatment for your loved one include:

• The severity of their addiction: Inpatient treatment is generally recommended for people with more severe addictions, as it can provide the support and structure they need to detox safely and begin recovery.
• Co-occurring mental health conditions: If the individual has co-occurring mental health conditions, inpatient treatment may be a better option, as it can provide specialized care for both the addiction and the mental health condition.
• Availability of support: If your loved one has a strong support system at home, outpatient treatment may be a viable option. However, if there are certain issues or stress factors in your relationship, inpatient treatment may be a better option, as it can provide them with the support they need to stay sober.
• Personal preference: Ultimately, the decision of whether to pursue inpatient or outpatient treatment is a personal one. You and your loved one should weigh the pros and cons of each option and choose the one that they feel is best for them.

Medication-Assisted Treatment

Medication-assisted treatment (MAT) for alcohol addiction is a combination of medication and behavioral therapy that is used to help people with alcohol use disorder (AUD) reduce or stop drinking alcohol. MAT is not a cure for AUD, but it can be very effective in helping people achieve and maintain sobriety.

There are three FDA-approved medications that are used in MAT for alcohol addiction:

• Naltrexone: This medication blocks the effects of alcohol on the brain, and can help reduce your loved one’s cravings for alcohol and make it easier to stay sober.
• Disulfiram: This medication causes unpleasant side effects when people drink alcohol, helping them avoid drinking by making the consequences of consuming alcohol very unpleasant.
• Acamprosate: This medication helps to restore the balance of neurotransmitters in the brain that are affected by alcohol, reducing cravings for alcohol and making it easier to stay sober.

Counseling and Therapy

Counseling and therapy can be an important part of the treatment of alcoholism. There are many different types of counseling and therapy that can be helpful, and the best approach will vary depending on the individual’s needs.

Some of the most common types of counseling and therapy for alcoholism include:

• Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)
• Motivational interviewing
• 12-step support groups
• Individual counseling
• Family therapy
• Group therapy

Get Help for Your Loved One Here!

If your loved one is ready to come to terms with their addiction and start their road to recovery, Find Addictions Rehab is here to help. We can help you find a treatment center that is capable of providing the effective and comprehensive care your loved one needs to live a better life.

Our hotline is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week to provide you with the tools and resources you need to help your loved one get sober. A better life is just one call away, so reach out to us now to learn how we can help today!

FAQs on Loving an Alcoholic

Can I Force My Partner to go to Rehab?

In most cases, you cannot force your partner to go to rehab. In the United States, adults have the right to refuse treatment for addiction, even if they are a danger to themselves or others. However, there are some states that have involuntary commitment laws that allow for people to be forced into rehab if they meet certain criteria. These criteria typically include:

• The person is a danger to themselves or others.
• The person is unable to care for themselves or make their own decisions.
• The person has a severe substance use disorder that is not responding to treatment.

Am I Enabling My Loved One’s Addiction?

Enabling is a complex issue, and it can be difficult to know for sure if you are enabling your loved one’s addiction. However, there are some signs that may indicate that you are. Making excuses for their behavior, taking over their responsibilities, minimizing the problem, and feeling responsible for their actions are all signs that you may be enabling the problem.

If you’re concerned that you may be enabling your loved one’s addiction, it’s important to talk to them about it. You can also seek professional advice from our recovery representatives. We can help you understand the dynamics of enabling and help you find treatment programs that can help your loved one overcome their substance abuse problems.

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