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Though high-functioning alcoholic people are not viewed as the “typical” alcoholic, they are still very much struggling with addiction. As with any other addiction, alcohol addiction carries with it a number of challenges, risks, and dangers. If you have a loved one who is an alcoholic, it is important to be aware of these dangers and learn how to best deal with them. For cases where you feel you can’t do anything anymore, treatment services from different treatment centers or treatment facilities can help you and your loved ones fight and recover from alcoholism.
Often the family members of alcoholics suffer intense psychological, physical and social trauma due to the core drinking problem of the family member. The first step towards increasing an alcoholic’s lifespan is to seek professional help. Alcoholism is a complex disease that requires specialized treatment, including therapy, medication, and support groups.
How To Live With An Alcoholic and Still Enjoy Your Life!
This may involve keeping them safe while they’re drinking or offering to help find a treatment that suits them. However, taking care of yourself should be of utmost importance, and it’s OK to take a step back at times and redirect attention to your own self-care. Supporting a loved one with alcohol use disorder (AUD) through their addiction and even recovery can be challenging, yet social support is necessary for recovery. Sharing a home with them adds a whole new layer of complexity.
- It is quite common for them to cycle through the stages, especially bargaining with the substance user and other family members who are frustrated.
- They may think they do and most reach out because of the way they feel.
- 93.4% of them also reported that their partners drinking was making them upset often.
- This can cause them to become physically or emotionally abusive.
- Trying to control them without getting control of yourself almost always ends up going nowhere.
- When you’re married to someone with an AUD, your relationship will often come second to their relationship with alcohol.
- More than 60% of wives also reported feeling mentally disturbed often.
All of these common experiences might leave you feeling a greater sense of instability for yourself and your children. Expose your teen to healthy hobbies and activities, such as team sports, Scouts, and after-school clubs to discourage alcohol use. You may https://ecosoberhouse.com/article/dealing-and-leaving-with-an-alcoholic-souse/ begin to notice that a couple of beers after work has turned into a six-pack or even a case. As time goes on and tolerance increases, they may attempt to hide the growing problem, and a growing number of empty bottles or cans, from friends and family.
Symptoms of alcohol use disorder
By getting help for your loved one, you may be able to avoid further consequences of alcoholism and build a healthier future for your family. If the consequences of high-functioning alcoholism have become overwhelming, and your loved one refuses to seek help for alcohol abuse, it could be time to plan an intervention. An intervention is a planned meeting in which the concerned parties confront the alcoholic about their behavior. Even though they may want to stop, many functioning alcoholics often won’t know where or how to begin the process.
A substance abuse counselor, family therapist or spiritual advisor may also attend to provide an objective presence and keep the agenda on track. These coping strategies cause their own harm, from developing substance use disorders or behavioral addictions to extending financial problems or causing harm to the children in the family. In addition to seeking professional help, an alcoholic can take steps to improve their physical health. This includes adopting a healthy diet, engaging in regular exercise, and avoiding other substances that can have negative effects on the body. Regular medical check-ups are also important to monitor any potential health problems and catch them early.