Living with an Alcoholic: What to Know and How to Cope

However, you can still be a guiding light, gently nudging them toward change. It all starts with creating an environment where they feel supported, not judged and opening up conversations about the possibility of seeking help. To learn more about the treatment process and explore treatment options at one of American Addiction Centers facilities, reach out to an admissions navigator at . They can help you not only explore therapy options for your spouse and your entire family but also identify tailored treatment programs to meet the unique needs of your loved one. Try not to allow your loved one’s behavior to dictate your own health and happiness.

The challenges of living with an alcoholic

Sharing a home with them adds a whole new layer of complexity. If you don’t control codependency, it can lead into more serious complications such as obsessive behavior, blame, and mental health issues. Watching a family member, friend, or coworker with an alcohol use disorder can be difficult. You might wonder what you can do to change the situation, and whether or not the person even wants your help.

1. There are too many broken promises and too much distrust in a relationship with someone with addiction to feel comfortable, safe, and respected.
2. Once your loved one has identified their potential triggers, learning how to avoid them is an important part of relapse prevention.
3. By Buddy TBuddy T is a writer and founding member of the Online Al-Anon Outreach Committee with decades of experience writing about alcoholism.
4. Remember that relapse is part of recovery for many individuals, and your loved one may be one of them.
5. Some of the most common risks are the damage to your emotional and mental well-being.

Whether you are living with an alcoholic spouse, parent or child, we know how tough it can be and are here to help in any way we can. Self-care often takes a back seat when you are living with an alcoholic, but prioritising your own well-being will help you maintain balance in a chaotic situation. This means carving out time to do things that make you happy, spending time with supportive family and friends or even stepping away temporarily when things become overwhelming.

The person may be in denial, and they may even react angrily to your attempts. Give them time and space to make an honest decision, and listen to what they have to say. AUD is treatable and generally requires professional help. But what you cando is support your loved one in their recovery. And above all else, take steps to what percentage of homeless are mentally ill or addicted keep you and the rest of your household safe and healthy.

Reviews of AAC’s Alcohol Addiction Treatment Program

It’s also important to address your family’s own needs at this time. Make sure your children are eating a healthy diet and getting adequate exercise and sleep. Intoxication can also present other unpredictable events, including physical dangers. When under the influence, your loved one may become angry and lash out. They likely don’t even realize they’re behaving this way, and they may not remember once the effects of the alcohol wear off. Someone with AUD may also become angry or irritable when they don’t have access to alcohol because they’re experiencing withdrawal.

Are You Feeling Suicidal?

If appropriate, your loved one’s doctor may even prescribe medication approved to help treat alcohol dependence. From advice on staging an intervention to comprehensive alcohol addiction treatment programmes, Recovery Lighthouse can provide everything you and your loved one need. Remember that your support can be the most powerful weapon in the battle against alcohol addiction. With you by their side, your loved one can put alcohol addiction behind them and begin a new sober life. If you’re feeling lost about how to restore peace and balance to your home, you’re not alone. Every situation is different, but Recovery Lighthouse offers extensive resources to guide you through the next steps.

Develop coping strategies that help you maintain your mental health

By shielding them from the impact of their drinking, you unintentionally create a safety net that allows the addiction to continue unchecked. There are communities of people who understand exactly what you’re going through. Support groups like Alcoholics Anonymous offer a safe space where you can share your experiences, gain how to identify liberty caps insights from others who have been in your shoes and feel less isolated.

If the person does have an alcohol problem, the best thing you can do is be open and honest with them about it. Hoping the person will get better on their own won’t change the situation. Let the person you care for know that you’re available and that you care. Try to formulate statements that are positive and supportive. When living with someone who has AUD, it’s important to understand that you didn’t cause the addiction. Understand that recovery is a journey and not necessarily a one-time goal.

Until they begin to contemplate quitting, any actions you take to “help” them quit will often be met with resistance. 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. If your loved one has become addicted to alcohol, however, their brain chemistry may have changed to the point that list of foods that contain alcohol they are completely surprised by some of the choices they make. They may not be in control of their own decision making. If your loved one is truly dependent on alcohol, they are going to drink no matter what you do or say.