Effects of Alcoholism on Families & Close Relationships

When paired with problems that can also arise from excessive alcohol use, drinking can sometimes negatively affect our relationships with the people closest to us. Instead, a combination of factors at the individual, relationship, community, and societal levels can increase or decrease the risk of violence. Jeanette Hu, AMFT, based in California, is a former daily drinker, psychotherapist, and Sober Curiosity Guide. She supports individuals who long for a better relationship with alcohol, helping them learn to drink less without living less. Genetic factors make some people especially vulnerable to alcohol dependence. Contrary to myth, being able to «hold your liquor» means you’re probably more at risk — not less — for alcohol problems.

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The immediate perceived benefits reinforce the behavior, making it easy to overlook the hangover the next day, the occasional throw-up by the sidewalk, or the long-term impact on one’s health and well-being. As these early experiences shape our perceptions, they lay the groundwork for new associations that reinforce our drinking habits over time. If you feel that you sometimes drink too much alcohol, or your drinking is causing problems, or if your family is concerned about your drinking, talk with your health care provider. Other ways to get help include talking with a mental health professional or seeking help from a support group such as Alcoholics Anonymous or a similar type of self-help group.

• If the results indicate any issues, it might be time to ask yourself about the role alcohol plays in your life.
• Whether you’ve been in recovery previously or this is your first attempt, why should they believe you now?
• Heavy alcohol users may have trouble relating to teetotalers or those who do not share their propensity for drinking to excess, and they may attempt to convince friends or loved ones to join them in drinking.
• Heavy drinking affects the mind and body, and the one struggling is often the last to recognize the damage’s extent.

Effects of Alcoholism on the Family

If you or someone you love has an alcohol use problem and are concerned about the impact it might be having on family and friends, talk to your healthcare provider. Effective treatments are available, and your provider can advise on next steps. Your provider can prescribe medications that can help people stop drinking and help with symptoms of alcohol withdrawal. They can also recommend treatment programs that may help with detox and recovery. Alcohol misuse can have a serious detrimental impact on the health and well-being of individuals as well as their families.

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As a result, the individual’s personal stability (if single) or family life can be radically shaken. Alcohol is often a contributing factor in intimate partner violence, child abuse, and child neglect (3). Alcohol misuse can affect relationships with partners, family members, co-workers, and others. Managing your drinking and getting the right support are really important how does alcohol affect relationships for your mental health. This doesn’t necessarily mean that we should avoid alcohol completely of course, but it is important to understand how alcohol can affect us and our relationships with those around us, and the benefits of cutting down or going alcohol-free. If drinking is now part of your past, there are steps you can take to stay sober and avoid a relapse.

Relationship Problems That May Occur as a Result of Alcohol Misuse

• The negative effects of heavy alcohol use typically aren’t limited to just the person drinking.
• All of these factors make it much more likely you’ll engage in activities that cause conflict within relationships.
• Alcohol can negatively impact a relationship to the point of breakup or divorce.
• Fatal alcohol-related injuries tend to occur in relatively younger age groups.
• If you feel like alcohol addiction is affecting your relationship, it’s important to know that help is available.

Risk and Protective Factors

Intimate Partner Violence Prevention

• Treatment may include medication like naltrexone to help curb your cravings for alcohol and help you drink less or stop drinking entirely.
• «For instance, when people are asked to keep diaries of how much they drink, they tend to report more alcohol use in the diaries than when interviewed in person. This is particularly true for heavier drinkers.»
• While shielding your partner from the truth may seem an innocent defense mechanism, it can eventually lead to consistent lies and more and more mistrust in the relationship.
• Several types of professional programs and levels of addiction services can treat alcohol use disorder, ensuring your loved one can seek one out that best fits their needs and lifestyle.
• In fact, research from 2019 has shown that alcohol behavioral couple therapy can help participants drink less, decrease conflict, and increase communication between partners.
• Not only does infidelity break the bond of trust between partners, but it can also be a contributing factor to divorce.

Inpatient or Outpatient Treatment

• Getting treatment is essential and can help people begin to recover their normal functioning and improve relationships with their partners, children, and other loved ones.
• According to the expectancy theory, we make choices based on the expected outcome of our actions.
• Partnering with an addiction specialist is recommended to formally evaluate these patients and to determine the proper psychiatric care pathway and whether it entails outpatient, residential, or medically managed inpatient service.