According to 2023 NSDUH data, 28.9 million Americans suffered from alcohol use disorders. Within the country, this is a huge problem, as alcoholism not only affects the health of the nation, but also interpersonal relationships. Specifically, on divorce rates. A 1999 study found that a 1 liter increase in alcohol consumption leads to a 20% increase in divorce rates.
A complete breakdown of relationships with friends and loved ones is preceded by certain problems. Let’s get to the bottom of which ones. This way you will have a better chance to take the necessary measures in time.
Loss of trust
Dependence on alcohol develops gradually. It often starts as harmless weekend drinking, which smoothly progresses to drinking after work. At this stage, it is important to say STOP and try to address the problem.
If you are unable to do this on your own and you feel that alcohol is interfering with your relationship, you can go to alcohol rehab in California or another clinic, of which there are hundreds across the country. This is where you will receive expert help and get you back to a sober life quickly.
Along with regular alcohol use, the addict’s personality gradually changes. He may be ashamed of his vice, hiding his addiction from people close to him. This almost always leads to deception of the partner, friends or relatives.
The secret always becomes revealed, and alcoholism is no exception. The deception is eventually revealed. Promises to quit drinking alcohol appear, which in most cases are broken. Thus, trust is lost in the relationship, mutual resentment and recriminations appear.
Detachment
When alcohol is prioritized, it brings with it a whole host of problems:
- tension in the relationship due to the addicted person’s frequent absence from home;
- failure to honor prior commitments to contribute to the family;
- lack of affection and care for loved ones;
- replacement of shared values, which are one of the pillars of the relationship, with alcohol;
- loss of mutual respect.
As a result — detachment of each partner, which can later lead to the impossibility of constructive problem solving and complete breakdown of the relationship.
Aggression
Alcohol abuse often leads to domestic violence. The alcoholic’s partner and children may be affected.
The effects of alcohol often lead to uncontrolled use of physical force, especially when the addict is not a friendly person even when sober. This can cause irreversible consequences: most murders are committed in a state of alcohol intoxication.
Violence begets violence. This is especially characteristic of families with children, who grow up adopting the model of behavior of their parents. This affects their fates, when the grown-up child continues to struggle with childhood traumas, experiencing loneliness and having problems with anger control. The result is a damaged relationship between children and their parents, even if they are later recovered from alcohol addiction.
Related problems
Financial stability also affects relationships between family and friends. Alcohol can upset the balance.
As it usually happens:
- the alcoholic spends a lot of money on alcohol or makes rash purchases under the influence of alcohol;
- prolonged alcohol use leads to job loss and an inability to provide for their family;
- alcohol has a negative impact on the alcoholic’s health. This naturally affects the costs associated with his or her recovery. In some cases, so much damage can be done to the body that the effects are irreversible and require ongoing payment of treatment bills — even after successful completion of rehab.
It turns out that financial well-being is essential to a relationship. As soon as serious money problems appear, the other partner has the right to consider whether he or she needs a relationship with a person who cannot provide not only for the family, but also for himself or herself.
If your circumstances are such that you are unable to stop drinking alcohol, but you really want to get sober again, talk to your partner! Explain your desire to get better, and together find the right rehabilitation center to help you.
