Living with an alcoholic isn’t easy. Spouses sometimes end up suffering emotional or even physical trauma as a direct result. What people don’t know is that they often enable their loved ones to continue the alcoholic lifestyle. In some cases, people must help themselves before they can get help for loved ones who suffer from alcoholism.
Living With an Alcoholic
More people live with those who have alcohol addiction than they realize. Substance use disorder affects nearly 6 million women and 11 million men in the United States. A number of these people live with significant others or friends.
Because of that, the first and most important thing for them to know is that they aren’t alone. They tend to feel like no one understands their struggle, but it’s quite the opposite. Some people continue to live through it, while others have overcome their struggle. While signs of alcoholism aren’t always easy to recognize at first, they generally get worse over time.
The Blame Game
It’s easy for people to play the blame game when they’re in a relationship with someone who has an alcohol addiction. They usually blame themselves for causing or creating an atmosphere that makes people drink. However, the only people in control of the drinking are the drinkers themselves.
People have to learn not to blame themselves for other people’s faults. Many times, people try to blame their addiction to alcohol on others. It’s important that others don’t buy into that because their loved ones will drink no matter what.
The Cover Up
Living with an alcoholic sometimes leads people to cover up the addiction. Doing so is what experts call enabling. Every time they cover it up, they allow those with addictions to continue their destructive lifestyles.
There are many ways that people enable addiction. For example, maybe they tell the alcoholic’s family and friends that he or she only drinks during social events. Maybe they call into work for the individuals when they have a hangover or blackout.
In any case, living with an alcoholic is a challenge. However, enabling his or her behavior tells that person that it’s fine. Instead, it’s important for people to inspire their loved ones to get help. Sometimes it’s the extra push that gives them the motivation to get better.
Get Help for a Loved One Today
At Crestview Recovery, we want to help your loved ones. Don’t waste another day blaming yourself for their addiction. Get them the help that they need. We offer several fantastic programs, including:
Don’t spend another day living in fear of addiction. Help your loved one take his or her life back, and get your life back in the process. Call us at 866-580-4160 to start down the road to recovery.
Since 2016, Dr. Merle Williamson, a graduate of Oregon Health Sciences University, has been the Medical Director at Crestview Recovery, bringing a rich background in addiction medicine from his time at Hazelden Treatment Center. He oversees outpatient drug and alcohol treatments, providing medical care, setting policies, detox protocols, and quality assurance measures. Before specializing in addiction medicine, he spent 25 years in anesthesiology, serving as Chair of Hospital Pharmacy and Therapeutics Committee and Chief of Anesthesia at Kaiser Permanente. This experience gives him a unique perspective on treating prescription drug addiction.
