Is Alcohol Impacting Your Relationship?

Getting professional help is the best way to combat addiction’s mental, emotional, physical and social problems. In addition to self-care, partners of those affected by alcohol addiction can intervene by helping them find rehabilitation services. While it can be challenging to convince a loved one to seek professional help, identifying how sobriety would benefit their lives can often help them take that first step. Those who prioritize the needs of their partner above their own often suffer from mental health issues like depression and low-self esteem. When you feel affected by codependency, it’s helpful to take a break or distance yourself from the relationship. Cutting the drinking off before it can develop into addiction can help prevent its devastating outcomes.

1. Substance abuse often leads to neglect of responsibilities, causing more stress and arguments.
2. They might find themselves taking on adult roles or caring for younger siblings.
3. It’s not only romantic relationships that are unraveled by alcohol abuse, though.
4. First, as previously mentioned, energy from alcohol appears to be additive to energy from other sources 5.
5. When alcohol use shifts from purely social to more compulsive consumption, the consequences rippled outward far beyond the person drinking.

Why is a drinking addiction bad for a relationship?

It has also been suggested that individuals who frequently drink moderate amounts of alcohol may enjoy a moderate lifestyle in which exercise and food intake are modulated over the long term to accommodate for alcohol intake 15. While cross-sectional and longitudinal studies have controlled for a number of important lifestyle factors, there are many to consider when examining body weight regulation. It is highly likely that the paradoxical results seen in studies examining the effect of alcohol on weight gain and obesity are also the product of a multitude of factors beyond the individual’s ingestion habits. Future research must consider the other important factors that may influence the link between alcohol and obesity, some of which are discussed below. However, a clear cause-and-effect association between alcohol intake and weight gain is not apparent based on the mixed and conflicting available evidence on the topic. Given that both excessive alcohol intake and obesity are of public health concern, a better understanding of the association between alcohol consumption and excess body weight is warranted.

Practice self-care and protect your mental health

It may also lead to neglected responsibilities and emotional disconnection, which can make partners and loved ones feel unimportant. Financial problems due to excessive spending (often on alcohol) can also create tension and conflict. This article explores potential issues that may arise if you’re in a relationship with an “alcoholic” or someone who is experiencing alcohol addiction. We’ll also provide resources for those who’d like to speak with a mental health professional about how to work towards a healthy relationship, discuss addiction treatment, or address related concerns. The impact of alcohol on relationships is widespread and can affect every single relationship a person is a part of. From intimacy problems and lack of emotional availability to the financial burden and negative effects on children, alcohol use disorder can affect partners, their children and other family members.

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A 2013 study found that of the 52 people who participated, over 34 of them (that’s more than 60%) noted that substance use was a factor for separation. This was especially true in cases where the partner refused to acknowledge an issue or get help. Alcohol can affect relationships in various ways, and this can look different for each person. But for many people, it can also be a source of conflict in their relationships.

Your living situation may become unstable, creating a lack of trust and anxiety. A person experiencing addiction may not be dependable when planning to do something or go somewhere. Sometimes drinking too much may create legal problems, leading to heavy fines and jail time.

This can lead to engaging in behaviors that they may not consider or pursue when sober. Alcohol’s influence on decision-making can make individuals more susceptible to temptation and more likely to engage in infidelity. When consumed, it can lead to impaired judgment and decision-making, increased risk-taking behaviors, and shifts in power dynamics. Emotional intimacy is a vital component of healthy relationships, fostering trust, connection, and understanding. The negative effects of heavy alcohol use typically aren’t limited to just the person drinking.

The survey results showed that people in committed relationships who use alcohol during intimacy were more likely to be sexually aggressive toward their intimate partners. A 2018 study found that alcohol had negative effects on both partners in a relationship for different what drug causes foaming at the mouth reasons. Some signs include frequent arguments about drinking, secretive behavior around alcohol, and broken promises to stop or reduce drinking. Participating in support group meetings helps reinforce positive behaviors and offers a platform to share experiences and solutions. Building a strong support network reassures that the recovery journey is not a solitary path, enabling both personal growth and relationship repair.