Neglect can be physical, like eating unhealthily or not taking care of your hygiene. Many people self-soothe with alcohol when they feel bad, but in the long run, drinking to cope makes your mood less stable and your emotional state worse. When you spend so much time drinking, you also lose out on quality time with loved ones. The resulting isolation can worsen your mental health and increase your risk of addiction. It’s normal for people to disagree at times, but frequent communication issues hurt relationships.

How to Get Help When Drinking Is Affecting Your Relationship?

Heavy drinking can lead to irresponsible spending, mounting debt, and financial instability. Drinking alcohol also affects your work.7 Hangovers and bad sleep make it hard to focus. Poor performance can eventually put your job security at risk, which in turn impacts your family. Justin was born and raised in Fort Collins, Colorado, where he began his clinical education at Colorado State University. He received his bachelor’s in health and exercise science with a concentration in sports medicine and eventually earned a master’s of psychology in addiction counseling. During his time as a therapist, Justin has worked in a residential addiction treatment facility, private practice, and outpatient settings.

You’re a Different Person When You’re Drunk

Outside of work, she’s a devotee of Krishna, and her friends call her Karunya Shakti, which means compassionate energy. She enjoys singing and dancing in kirtan and reading ancient Vedic literature like the Bhagavad Gita and the Srimad Bhagavatam. If she weren’t so damn good at her job, she says she would probably be an electrical engineer. Specializing in Compulsive Hoarding and Behavior Addictions, Brionna guides clients towards healthier relationships and boundaries. Additionally, she is trained in Brainspotting, offering a unique approach to trauma-informed care.

Communication, Relationships

April Eldemire, LMFT, is a psychotherapist who specializes in marriage and couples issues, new-parenthood transitions and blended family dynamics. Now think how many of them occurred when drinking ruins relationships one or both of you were under the influence of alcohol. Recognizing this red flag is crucial for addressing the underlying concerns and seeking support or intervention as needed.

• And because alcohol impairs judgment, it may cause you to say or do things you regret.
• If the results indicate any issues, it might be time to ask yourself about the role alcohol plays in your life.
• Hailing from Boulder County, Courtney embarked on her academic journey by earning a bachelor’s degree in psychology.

Hiding Drinking Habits

In addition to self-care, partners of those affected by alcohol addiction can intervene by helping them find rehabilitation services. While it can be challenging to convince a loved one to seek professional help, identifying how sobriety would benefit their lives can often help them take that first step. Support groups can help people with alcohol addiction and those who are codependent on someone with alcohol use disorder. A 12-step support group can often help people recover from a codependent relationship.

You Prioritized Alcohol Over Your Lover

Keep reading to learn about the connection between alcohol addiction and relationships and how to prevent or manage relationship issues caused by a drinking problem. Fortunately, there are more ways than ever to get support if alcohol is harming your life and happiness. Ria Health is one online program offering comprehensive help—from coaching meetings to anti-craving prescriptions—100 percent from your smartphone. With Ria, you won’t have to rearrange your life to start improving your drinking habits, relationships, and overall well-being. No one wants to lose the love and trust of someone they care about over something preventable.

• Given this fact, it is no surprise that alcohol abuse is linked to violence and aggression within relationships3.
• Strong relationships are built on honesty and trust — secrecy is a red flag.
• If drinking is now part of your past, there are steps you can take to stay sober and avoid a relapse.
• A friend or partner may constantly hear reasons for being late, disappearing or mood swings.
• Alcohol can have a role in the beginning stages of abusive behavior within a relationship, as well as the progression of the behavior if it already exists.

For some people, sex isn’t an important factor in their romantic relationships- but for others, it is very important. Unfortunately for you, your binge drinking and regular blackouts lead to neglecting your partner’s physical needs- there’s just nothing sexy about flopping on the bed like a wet fish. When alcohol has become a core part of our relationships, it can stand in the way of us taking action to change our own drinking habits, even when they aren’t making us happy. Similarly, we can be affected by the drinking of our partner, friend or loved one, causing tension and disagreement, or leading us to drink more.

• Perhaps you’ve noticed that your partner’s drinking has increased and you’re starting to get concerned.
• A full continuum of care treating addiction and mental health through an evidence-based approach, relapse prevention, and holistic healing with beach activities.
• ” Know that most people who are casual drinkers do not ask this question.
• If she won the lottery tomorrow, Chanel said she start a bookstore with a bakery inside for guests to enjoy their favorite books with an excellent coffee and dessert.

Because alcoholism is a systemic disease, the toxic characteristics of the disease spread to the individuals closely involved. Maladaptive behaviors, codependency and other forms of dysfunction quickly develop within the family and other close relationships. As with most substances, the use of alcohol to the point of misuse or dependency interferes with self-love.

They may also be using it as a coping mechanism for stress or other difficult feelings. Research from 2019 found that 25.8% of adults reported binge drinking, and 6.3% reported heavy alcohol use in the past month. Being able to say no to alcohol when you don’t want to drink, requires a few simple phrases you can say in a pinch. One-liners like “I’m driving,” “No, thanks, I just finished one,” and “I’ve had my limit for tonight,” can help you avoid giving in to the pressure to drink when you’re trying to cut back. And finally, talk with your friends about your decision and ask for support. Being mindful of this relationship requires honesty and courage about how alcohol impacts your health, relationships, work, and other social obligations.

Important note on domestic abuse

Therefore, they do not face or resolve their personal issues and usually have very little self-awareness. As the problem becomes more severe, people with the condition may withdraw from loved ones or lash out at those who try to help. At the very basis of a functioning, healthy relationship is the ability to communicate openly with your partner about any and everything. That means no secrets or lies, and respecting your partner enough to include them in decisions which will effect both of you and your relationship.