Having a drink now and then is usually fine, but drinking too much too often can lead to alcohol use disorder (AUD). This can harm your physical health and overall well-being. Plus, it often takes a toll on your relationships.
Alcohol is a psychoactive substance that can cause changes in mood, awareness, thoughts, and behavior. These changes can lead to various issues and can make you act in ways that can drive a wedge between you and the people around you.
How Alcoholism Can Negatively Impact Relationships
Over time, excessive drinking changes the brain, making it difficult for someone to stop. This often leads to changes in personality and negative behaviors which are hallmarks of alcoholism or AUD. These changes can cause strain on your relationships with family, friends, and colleagues. Unfortunately, alcoholism affecting relationships is a common and serious issue.
Alcohol and Marital Problems
It’s normal for any marriage to have some ups and downs. However, when alcoholism is added into the mix, a host of problems can arise. It can start from small misunderstandings to full-blown arguments that can irrevocably damage the marriage.
- Health Risks. Excessive drinking can make someone more prone to falling over and other accidents. Long-term drinking can also cause health issues. The constant worrying and fear over a spouse’s alcoholism can also lead to anxiety problems or depression.
- Dishonesty and Mistrust. Many people tend to lie about how much and how often they drink to their spouses. This may begin as an innocent attempt to keep your spouse from worrying but can lead to constant lying. Dishonesty breeds mistrust which can destroy a marriage.
- Emotional Unavailability. Alcohol changes how neurotransmitters function in your brain. Drinking can cloud your thoughts and even cause short-term memory loss. When you can’t remember parts of your day or use alcohol to numb your feelings, it becomes harder to emotionally connect with your spouse.
- Intimacy Problems. The level of intimacy distinguishes your romantic relationship from your other relationships. Sex is an essential factor in keeping a healthy marriage. Heavy drinking can impair one’s ability to perform sexually and can affect emotional intimacy between a couple.
- Financial Burden. Alcohol, especially when consumed daily, can be a very expensive habit. This can put a huge dent in your finances and take away from other important financial priorities. This can become a source of conflict between a married couple.
- Separation or Divorce. Due to the emotional, mental, and financial strains caused by alcoholism, many marriages end in separation or divorce.
Alcoholism and Friendships
Having a drink with friends is a common way to socialize and spend time together. It’s a way to relax and connect. However, when drinking gets out of control, it can strain friendships.
- Less Time Together. When drinking starts to take over, it can drive a wedge between friends. Hangovers might lead to canceled plans, which means less time together. Eventually, you might find yourself less available for get-togethers or when your friends need you. This can slowly weaken your bond with your friends.
- Negative Influence. When you become dependent on alcohol, you will naturally want to spend time with people who also drink. You can end up dragging your friend with you on a downward spiral to alcoholism.
- Disagreements. Alcohol can transform you into a different person. When you can’t think clearly or control yourself, you might end up picking fights with your friends. Constant disagreements and conflicts like this can put a lot of strain on your friendships.
- End of Friendship. Alcoholism can lead to isolation, unreliability, clouded judgment, and heightened emotions. These issues can cause misunderstandings and other difficulties that are challenging to resolve, ultimately straining or ending friendships.
Effects of Alcoholism on Families
The damage of alcohol to families can impact many generations. When a family member suffers from alcoholism or AUD, the rest of the family also suffers its effects. It could involve anything from financial difficulties to safety issues to tensions in relationships.
- Being Aggressive and Argumentative. When alcohol clouds your judgment, you might find yourself getting upset over little things and starting arguments. Sometimes, this can even lead to aggression, which can be scary for your family members to witness.
- Needing Time to Nurse Hangovers. The need to recover from drinking binges cuts into the time you could have spent with your family. It can also make you more easily irritated causing you to lash out at your loved ones.
- Dealing with Legal Problems. Excessive drinking can result in reckless behavior. You might get into fights or accidents, which could lead to legal trouble and add more stress to your family.
- Failing to Provide. Alcohol dependency can mess with your finances. Since alcohol can be a very expensive habit, you might find yourself cutting back on essentials like food, healthcare, and your kids’ education to support your habit. This shift in financial priorities can put a strain on your family’s well-being and plans for the future.
- Negative Impact on the Kids. In the US, around 5 million children under 17 years old live with a parent with AUD. In many homes where one or both parents struggle with alcoholism, the kids needs can often be missed. It also can be difficult for children to concentrate on their schoolwork and receive the necessary support from their parents at home, affecting their academic performance and overall well-being.
Alcoholism and Domestic Abuse
Studies have found a strong link between alcohol and domestic violence. In the US, alcohol is a factor in 40% of reported domestic violence cases. Research shows that large quantities of alcohol in the system can increase a sense of personal power and domination over others, which might lead to aggression. Alcohol can also make it hard to understand what others are saying or doing, making misunderstandings more likely and aggressive reactions more common. Sadly, these factors can all contribute to domestic violence.
FAQ
Can you have a healthy relationship with someone with an alcohol addiction?
Maintaining a healthy relationship where there is alcoholism is extremely challenging. Alcohol dependency often leads to negative behaviors that cause trust issues, emotional turmoil, and instability in the relationship. It requires constant work, understanding, and proper treatment to sustain the relationship. Additionally, if two people in a relationship both have an alcohol use disorder they may exacerbate each other’s drinking habits, complicate communication and trust, and lead to further dependency issues. Professional help and support are crucial for managing such relationships
Can alcohol use affect someone’s personality?
Yes, alcohol can alter your personality by affecting your mood, behavior, and emotional responses. It can lead to increased aggression, impulsivity, or emotional vulnerability, often causing you to act in ways that are different from your sober self.
Rebuilding Relationships with Proper Support and Counseling
Alcoholism can have a significant impact on your relationships. Recognizing the problem is a crucial step towards stopping further damage and rebuilding strained relationships.
At Positive Sobriety Institute, our comprehensive and highly effective treatment guides you on the path to a healthier relationship with yourself and the ones you love. Our counseling team of licensed psychiatrists, psychologists, family therapists, and social workers provide individualized care that fits your needs. At PSI’s outpatient treatment in Chicago, our team will provide guidance support to both you and your loved ones as you recover from alcohol dependence and restore your relationships.
Don’t let alcohol dependence damage your life and your relationships any further. Contact us today!
