High-functioning alcoholics often prefer less disruptive treatment options like outpatient programs initially, provided these are clinically appropriate. You cannot force recovery, but you can support your spouse’s journey toward sobriety through strategic approaches. Primary care doctors can assess drinking patterns and recommend treatment options, including medication when appropriate. Discuss your concerns calmly when your loved one is sober, using specific examples of how their drinking affects you and the family. Codependent behaviors, where you sacrifice your needs to maintain normalcy, often unconsciously help your alcoholic spouse continue drinking.
Signs Your Loved One Is An A…

Generally speaking, PTSD is a more severe and long-lasting mental health issue than adjustment disorder. Adjustment disorder is a short-term reaction to an isolated stressful event or change in circumstances, whereas PTSD typically involves multiple, prolonged or recurring traumatic experiences. In addition to learning how to manage these emotions, group therapy teaches participants how to handle stressful situations better. If someone gets upset at work, they don’t have to bottle up their anger; they can express themselves freely and safely.
How Do I Talk to Them About Their Drinking?
Someone with AUD may also become angry or irritable when they don’t have access to alcohol because they’re experiencing withdrawal. If your spouse’s drinking is endangering your safety or well-being, especially if there’s violence or emotional abuse, it may be time to leave. Read on to better understand the challenges, and solutions, of living with an alcoholic partner or spouse. Her goal is to “help rebuild the love and compassion in the home” and help the sober partner settle back into the role of partner or parent again. If you recognize these signs in your spouse, seeking help is essential.
Benefits of Assisted Living for Recovering Alcoholics
The Berman Center is designed to support outpatient mental health https://alsaffyusa.com/2025/04/28/how-does-rehab-help-drug-addicts-understanding-the/ and families through the challenges of addiction recovery. When dealing with an alcoholic spouse, remember to take care of yourself and prioritize your emotional well-being. Seek professional help at The Berman Center, set boundaries, and communicate effectively. Support your spouse on their journey to recovery, but remember that you can’t force someone to get better.
Sleep in Halfway house a separate room following episodes of intoxicated behavior. Maintain these responses every time violations happen to establish predictable outcomes for inappropriate behavior. Physical signs manifest through bloodshot eyes, trembling hands, frequent hangovers, and deteriorating personal hygiene.
Lying to employers, family members, or friends to cover up their behavior prevents natural consequences from occurring. Making excuses for missed work or family events due to drinking removes the motivation for change. Bailing them out of legal trouble eliminates accountability for their actions.
- Discover our tailored treatment options and start your journey to lasting recovery today.
- Focus the intervention on encouraging your spouse to seek professional help rather than listing ways their drinking has hurt others.
- Choose a calm moment when your spouse is sober to discuss your concerns about their drinking patterns.
- We publish material that is researched, cited, edited and reviewed by licensed medical professionals.
What Are the Psychological Effects of Living with an Alcoholic?
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. It is important for an alcoholic in early recovery to be in an atmosphere where a sober living lifestyle is promoted. Alcohol should be taken away from the home and an end to activities where there’s a possibility of alcohol or drug use.

Your loved one’s addiction might also start taking a financial toll. If you’re living with someone who has AUD, it’s important to understand what’s behind the addiction to alcohol and to learn how to cope. Here’s what you need to know to overcome the challenges of alcohol addiction. While helping your spouse is important, remember that you can’t fix their addiction. You can, however, provide the right kind of support to encourage healing, as long as you also prioritize your own emotional and physical health. It means reclaiming your right sober alcoholic meaning to peace, clarity, and stability in the midst of chaos.
- For instance, studies show that widowers aged 75 and older have the highest alcoholism rate in the U.S..
- Staff training in addiction awareness, available counseling services, strict alcohol policies, and transportation to continuing care appointments should guide your decision-making process.
- Taking care of yourself is just as important as helping your loved one.
- Setting boundaries is essential when dealing with an alcoholic spouse.
Don’ts
A dual-diagnosis treatment program can help patients struggling with both an alcohol abuse problem and another mental health issue (co-occurring disorders). There are several types of programs that address addiction and mood swings (including mood disorders and anxiety disorders). Some of these programs focus on one specific type of substance use, while others offer comprehensive care for multiple substances. Group therapy allows people to talk openly about these issues and learn how to develop healthy coping skills.
How To Help An Alcoholic Seek Help For Their Addiction
It’s natural to want to replace alcohol with binge eating but do your best to avoid going on a blood sugar rollercoaster, which can negatively affect your mood and mental health. Recognising the signs of alcoholism is the first step towards reclaiming control and beginning the journey to recovery. Alcoholism, alcohol dependence and alcohol addiction are recognised alcohol use disorders that are considered chronic.