It may look harmful at first, but when the issue of alcohol sneaks into a marriage, it can start making cracks that are difficult to ignore. For many couples, alcohol addiction often leads to anger, mental distance, broken promises, and even fights. With that, it pains to see that many marriages have to deal with this hard truth, which can seriously hurt or even end a relationship.
If you see yourself in the realization that “alcohol is destroying my marriage,” you will eventually feel lost or even hopeless, but there are things you can do. The most important thing is to face the problem head-on and see it for what it is. No matter if your partner is having trouble with drinking or you yourself are, there is a way out.
In this blog, we’ll explore the impact of alcohol addiction on relationships and share actionable steps you can take to protect your marriage.
Impact of Alcohol on Your Marriage
When alcoholism hurts a marriage, it can be hard to miss the signs. It could become normal to fight all the time, especially over drinking habits or the things that people do after drinking. People often neglect their responsibilities, such as helping with the kids, contributing financially, or being emotionally supportive.
When promises are broken, trust can start to break down. This makes it challenging for partners to feel close to each other. What’s worse is when it leads to cheating, as one or both of them look for a way to escape the stress at home.
Alcohol also wreaks havoc on communication. The ability to have a calm, productive conversation often disappears, replaced by defensiveness, anger, or avoidance. This makes resolving conflicts nearly impossible, leading to a buildup of resentment and isolation. Partners may stop talking altogether, except when arguing or blaming each other.
Alcohol abuse has effects that go beyond the person who drinks. The disaster spreads to everyone in the house. If someone you care about is having problems with drinking, they might feel anxious, depressed, or even hopeless.
Kids can also be hurt because they can pick up on the stress, fights, and mental instability going on around them. It damages how a family functions, and it’s often in ways that make getting better feel like an uphill fight. Seeking help from a pro addiction treatment center can help restore stability and start the healing process.
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Understanding Alcohol Disorder
A person with Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD) is someone who is unable to stop drinking, even though it negatively impacts their life. While heavy drinking is harmful, AUD is more severe—it’s a form of addiction.
When a person with AUD tries to stop, they might even feel like they’re going through withdrawal. This is when they’ll need professional help and care.
When someone is addicted to alcohol, you wouldn’t expect them to “just stop.” Alcohol addiction treatment in Los Angeles, which includes therapy, support groups, and sometimes medication, is designed to help people who are physically and mentally dependent recover.
Drinking is often a way for people to deal with problems like stress, trauma, or mental health issues. To truly understand and fix the addiction, it’s important to look at these underlying problems. If someone is drinking to escape pain or avoid feeling bad emotions, it’s just as important to address those feelings as it is to stop the drinking. The first step toward healing from alcohol addiction is to reach out and ask for help.
Steps to Take When Alcohol is Destroying Your Marriage
When alcohol starts to overwhelm your marriage and family, taking action can help make things right. From acknowledging the problem to seeking professional help, there are ways to rebuild trust and communication. Here’s how to address alcohol’s impact and work toward healing your relationship.
- Open Communication: Encourage having an honest, non-judgmental conversation with your partner about how alcohol is affecting the relationship. Offer tips for creating a safe space for this conversation.
- Setting Boundaries: Discuss the importance of setting clear boundaries regarding alcohol use in the home, social settings, or around children.
- Seeking Professional Help: Emphasize the need to seek professional help, such as couples therapy, individual counseling, or addiction treatment. Discuss how treatment programs can help individuals confront their alcohol use while working on the marriage.
- Support Groups: Mention the value of support groups like Al-Anon for partners and Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) for those struggling with alcohol.
Conclusion
Recognizing that alcohol is affecting your marriage is the first step toward healing. Openly discuss how drinking is impacting your relationship. Couples dealing with Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD) are encouraged to seek professional help through counseling or support groups to find the support they need.
You must also deal with any underlying problems, such as mental health or stress, that can be contributing to the alcohol consumption. One thing that married people need to understand is that they are a team. This means that you can always mend your marriage by working through your differences, establishing healthy boundaries, and being dedicated to making positive changes.
Whether you or a loved one is struggling with alcohol addiction, Restore Health and Wellness Center is here to support you in your healing from alcoholism and start heading for a better lifestyle. Get in touch with us right away for individualized care and encouragement while you get back on your feet.
