It’s important to trust your instincts and prioritize your own well-being, while also being compassionate and supportive of your partner’s recovery if they are willing to seek help. In some people, the initial reaction may feel like an increase in energy. But as you continue to drink, you become drowsy and have less control over your actions. Alcohol use disorder can include periods of being drunk (alcohol intoxication) and symptoms of withdrawal.
For example, you may decide that you’re not willing to be around your loved one when they’re drinking or that you won’t engage in arguments when they’re intoxicated. In the early stage, your partner may start to drink more often than they used to. They may also begin to develop a tolerance to alcohol, which means they need to drink more to feel the same effects. At this stage, it’s still possible for your partner to cut back or quit drinking altogether with support and encouragement. When one partner is struggling with addiction, it can be difficult for them to communicate effectively and honestly about their feelings and needs.
Why does drinking alcohol affect your personality?
If family members try to “help” by covering up for their drinking and making excuses for them, they are playing right into their loved one’s denial game. However, for someone with an alcohol dependence, that expectation may turn out to be unreasonable. If the person is incapable of even being honest with themselves, it may not be reasonable to expect them to be honest with you. If your loved one is truly dependent on alcohol, they are going to drink no matter what you do or say. She adds that not everyone who misuses alcohol develops these changes and that genetics, lifestyle, and environmental factors can also play a role.
When someone reaches a crisis point, sometimes that’s when they finally admit they have a problem and begin to reach out for help. This episode of The Verywell Mind Podcast, featuring multi-platinum award-winning singer Bryan Abrams, shares his sobriety journey and how he found a treatment that actually worked. If you suspect that your boyfriend may have a problem with alcohol, it can be difficult to know what to do.
Symptoms
As alcoholism progresses, your partner may start drinking alone or in secret. In this stage, it’s essential to seek professional help as quitting on their own can be dangerous due to withdrawal symptoms. Coping with a partner’s alcoholism can be emotionally draining and stressful. It’s important to prioritize your own mental health and well-being as you support your partner through their recovery journey. Consider setting boundaries with your partner around their drinking behavior, such as refusing to be around them when they’re drunk or asking them not to drink in front of you.
We can help you along the path to a healthy, successful, and stable life.
On the other hand, a 2020 Swiss cohort study found aggression and hostility to be common personality shifts related to alcohol use. Everyone’s personality is unique, and while it can change as you experience life, the major components tend to persist through the years. Additionally, Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) is a widely recognized support group that has helped many people overcome their addiction.
Some may explain that watching sports or eating chicken wings isn’t worthwhile without a couple of beers. Others might tell you that a steak dinner has to be paired with a glass of wine. Maybe it’s their friend’s birthday or that they weren’t hired for a job they wanted. Whether it’s long covid alcohol intolerance to celebrate or commiserate, someone with alcoholism can always come up with an excuse to drink. The key to dealing with alcohol dependency in the family is staying focused on the situation as it exists today.
This is common among not just those with alcoholism but also drug addicts and people with substance abuse disorder. Individuals who don’t suffer from alcoholism or addiction don’t need to blame others because their behaviors aren’t problematic. However, with an alcoholic personality, someone may try to insinuate that their drinking is the fault of their boss, spouse, partner, roommate, or even an alcoholic parent.
First and foremost, it’s important to remember that alcoholism is not your fault or responsibility. Your partner’s addiction is their own, and they are ultimately responsible for their own recovery. However, if you’re living with an alcoholic, your behavior can have an impact on their ability to stay sober.
It’s important to remember that alcoholism is a disease and that you cannot control your partner’s behavior. Most people recovering from addiction will cycle through the stages of change three or four times before completing the cycle without a slip. Some people who achieve long-term sobriety continue to display the same impulsive and dysfunctional behaviors that they did when they were drinking.
Listening to your loved one without judgment or criticism can make a significant difference in their recovery journey. Encourage them to share their feelings and experiences with you, and offer emotional support when needed. Therapy sessions provide a safe space for family members to express their feelings and concerns about living with an alcoholic. A therapist can offer guidance on how to set healthy boundaries, manage stress, and communicate effectively with their loved one. If maverick house sober living you or your partner are struggling with alcoholism, it’s important to know that there are many different types of treatment available. What works for one person may not work for another, so it’s important to explore your options and find a treatment plan that fits your individual needs.
- Remember that recovery is possible, and seeking help is the first step towards a healthier, happier life.
- Alcohol use disorder can include periods of being drunk (alcohol intoxication) and symptoms of withdrawal.
- An intervention from loved ones can help some people recognize and accept that they need professional help.
- Contemplation can be an uncomfortable process, and feelings of guilt, shame, hopelessness and desperation are common as people reach this crossroads in their addiction journey.
- Although some individuals want to attempt detoxification on their own, we strongly recommend a clinically supervised program.
Lean on the people around you, and, if you need to, reach out to a mental health professional to speak about your stress and what you’re going through. If alcohol consumption is negatively affecting your interpersonal relationships or other important areas of daily life, you may be living with AUD. Consider reaching out to a therapist or support group to help you navigate this challenging time. In the late stage of alcoholism, your partner’s physical and mental health may deteriorate rapidly. They may experience liver damage, pancreatitis, and other serious health problems.
An intervention from loved ones can help some people recognize and accept that they need professional help. If you’re concerned about someone who drinks too much, ask a professional experienced in alcohol treatment for advice on how to approach that person. For many, the action stage is both physically and mentally taxing — and individuals at this stage face a risk of alcohol relapse. The action stage typically lasts from three to six months who are the most famous alcoholics and sometimes as long as 18 months, but it does not mark the end of the recovery process.
