Living with a Functional Alcoholic Spouse

When they don’t have a limit, they will drink more than they need to and will surely be uncontrollable. Things start with a small incident and can lead to bigger uncontrollable incidences that will only bring shame to you and your family. The one thing that you would do at this point is go into denial mode. In the worst case, you would also want to avoid the situation as much as you can. The only challenge that arises at that moment is neither your husband needs your help at that very moment nor you’re a professional counselor.

Take care of your own basic needs.

Limitations may include, not drinking alcohol in the house or in front of the children, not getting behind the wheel of a car while intoxicated, not asking you to cover up for them or lie for them. However, their alcoholism is affecting you the most, put a boundary in to lessen the effect. Ultimately, if your loved one is ready and willing to pursue treatment for their alcohol addiction, they are well on their way toward achieving recovery. But because different treatment strategies work for different individuals, it can be tough to land upon the right plan from the beginning.

Understanding the Functional Alcoholic Person: Definition, Challenges, Living with a Spouse

It may take their spouses and loved ones years of observation before they make the connection. For them, it starts as a sneaking suspicion that grows as they notice alcohol use becomes more frequent. There are many signs and symptoms of an alcoholic as well as self-evaluation tests that can help you understand the disease. An official diagnosis requires the input of a trained mental health addiction specialist.

Talk About Treatment

• Only they can choose to change through accessing the correct professional treatment.
• People addicted to alcohol may be able to function at work or in social drinking situation, but they’re unable to hide the disease from the person closest to them.
• Boyfriends, girlfriends or partners of functional alcoholics may also experience emotional or relationship problems.
• It means that, while the person might be able to go about their daily life right now, it’s often only a matter of time before they see the negative consequences of addiction.
• There are many signs and symptoms of an alcoholic as well as self-evaluation tests that can help you understand the disease.

If someone close to you is a high-functioning alcoholic, it’s just as important to seek support for yourself as it is to get help for your loved one. You likely have questions about how to deal with an alcoholic or how to help an alcoholic. Self-help organizations, church groups, and 12-step programs like Al-Anon and Alateen offer advice, hope and encouragement to people involved with functioning alcoholics.

• As their reliance on alcohol increases, you may begin to notice that your loved one downplays the role alcohol has in their lives and makes excuses for their actions, especially their drinking.
• Feel free to contact us with any questions if you feel an in-home treatment option may be worth considering.
• Your spouse may also engage in other risky financial behaviors such as making large purchases, participating in gambling, or even losing employment due to disruption in the workplace.
• Proper education can, therefore, be a catalyst in your family to finally get them the help they need.
• But those in-between times are just enough of a glimpse of the life you were promised, the life you vowed with all your heart to build with this man.
• After all, it’s not easy to tell someone, “I think my husband is a functioning alcoholic.” A spouse who is married to a high-functioning alcoholic often feels alone and isolated.

Had times when you ended up drinking more,or longer than you intended?

This provides insurance that they will be more responsive and accepting of the conversation. Drinking is one of the most common coping strategies for people dealing with stress or trauma. This prevents them from seeing it as an issue that requires control and lifestyle changes. In this article, we explain how to recognize that your spouse or someone you love is struggling with alcohol abuse.

Tell your spouse you want to help them get treatment but can’t do it without their help. Be clear with the actions you’re prepared to take if your husband functional alcoholic husband continues his destructive behavior. Make sure to follow through with those consequences and hold yourself and your husband accountable. Has your husband given up hobbies he once enjoyed to do activities that involve drinking?

If the person you are living with is aggressive or abusive, whether it be Drug rehabilitation verbally or physically, please do not stay in this situation or blame yourself. Only they can choose to change through accessing the correct professional treatment. They are not at fault for being an alcoholic – but they ARE responsible for asking for and accepting help. They are more likely to do this if they do not see you as a safety net they can fall back on. Means to live in constant fear, anxiety, disappointment, anger and insecurity.