Alcohol addiction is a serious problem that not only affects individuals struggling with it but also impacts relationships. It can cause changes in behavior, such as withdrawal from family and friends, neglecting responsibilities, and missing work or school. In addition to creating problems in personal relationships, alcohol addiction can damage marriages and lead to mental and physical health problems. These issues are challenging to navigate alone and overwhelming for those affected. That’s why it’s so important to seek help for yourself or a loved one dealing with alcohol addiction.
Insight Recovery Centers provides comprehensive outpatient alcohol addiction treatment for individuals suffering from substance use disorders. Our personalized approach empowers clients while addressing their unique needs to support long-term recovery success. We also provide ongoing aftercare services that allow you to learn new skills for managing triggers and stress associated with recovery while continuing to receive support. If you or someone you know is struggling with alcohol use disorder, don’t wait any longer. Contact us today at 703.592.6946 to achieve lasting freedom from addiction.
How Alcohol Addiction Affects Relationships
Substance use disorders can affect relationships in profound and far-reaching ways. Alcohol addiction may have effects on families; alcohol addiction can also have effects on marriages, leading to broken trust, strained communication, and unreliable behavior. When it comes to alcohol abuse and relationships, the following problems may arise:
Communication Breakdown
One of the significant effects of alcohol addiction on relationships is that it causes communication breakdown. Individuals with addiction often struggle to maintain open and supportive relationships with their family or friends, causing a rift in their relationships. As alcohol consumption increases, the individual’s communication methods often become aggressive or distant, which can be difficult for others. This lack of communication ultimately causes greater issues and misunderstandings, leading to broken relationships.
Trust Issues
Alcohol addiction also erodes trust in relationships, as the individual’s loved ones may begin to doubt their financial or personal commitments. The person addicted to alcohol may struggle to keep up with their promises, causing their family or friends to lose faith in them. When a person with alcohol addiction misses appointments, forgets commitments, and sometimes even lies about their drinking or whereabouts, this can negatively impact relationships because it becomes difficult to maintain trust.
Codependency
Relationship dynamics often struggle with codependency behaviors when one person has an addiction. This is because of the shame and loneliness associated with addiction, and those individuals often catch themselves seeking a sense of community and refuge within the familiar family dynamic. As such, those in relationships with those impacted may exhibit codependent behaviors. This includes enabling the drinking behavior, tolerating unacceptable behavior, or making excuses for the addicted person. Unfortunately, these codependent behaviors further fuel the addiction cycle and often make it harder to find lasting sobriety.
Domestic Violence
In more severe cases of alcohol addiction, individuals might become aggressive or exhibit violent behavior towards their family or partners. Alcohol consumption enhances aggressive behavior, leading to higher incidences of violence in relationships. It might begin with small verbal exchanges and escalate to domestic violence incidents. Such incidences cause long-lasting emotional and psychological scars in relationships, making it hard for both parties to heal and recover.
Financial Strain
Aside from the emotional strain on relationships, alcohol addiction can cause financial strain. Alcohol is expensive and, when consumed excessively, it becomes a financial burden to the individual and their family. The financial strain in relationships leads to unmet financial obligations like missed payments for rent, mortgages, bills, and other day-to-day expenses. The family’s lack of money to meet their basic needs strains relationships further.
Alcohol addiction is destructive to both the individual and their loved ones. It impacts many areas of an individual’s life including personal relationships. When a loved one is struggling with alcohol addiction, it’s essential to have open communication, show compassion, and maintain boundaries.
Seek Alcohol Addiction Treatment at Insight Recovery Centers
If you or someone you care about is struggling with alcohol addiction, it is vital to seek help immediately. Insight Recovery Centers provides outpatient addiction treatment and aftercare for individuals with substance use disorders to help them gain control over their alcohol abuse and rebuild meaningful relationships. Our experienced staff utilizes evidence-based therapies tailored to meet each client’s needs. In addition, we offer group counseling sessions that allow individuals suffering from alcohol abuse to share their experiences in a safe environment while learning coping skills necessary for long-term recovery.
If you or someone you love needs alcohol addiction treatment services, contact us today at 703.592.6946 or complete our online form.
