For the spouse of an alcoholic, Al-Anon offers the emotional support and camaraderie of being with spouses of loved ones in rehab. Talking through difficult issues and hearing the success stories and suggestions from others in similar situations make this time feel less lonely and impossible.
Full Answer
What are some treatment options for someone who is suffering from alcoholism?
Types of TreatmentBehavioral Treatments. Behavioral treatments are aimed at changing drinking behavior through counseling. ... Medications. ... Mutual-Support Groups. ... Current NIAAA Research—Leading to Future Breakthroughs. ... Mental Health Issues and Alcohol Use Disorder.
What stage of alcoholism is the most difficult to recover from?
When a person reaches late-stage alcoholism, the brain has become so damaged it needs alcohol for survival. This damage makes recovery more challenging and why stopping drinking “cold turkey” or detoxing without medical supervision is extremely dangerous. The brain and body are now dependent on alcohol.
What are the 4 stages of the addiction cycle?
While there are many factors that contribute to drug and alcohol addiction, including genetic and environmental influences, socioeconomic status, and preexisting mental health conditions, most professionals within the field of addiction agree that there are four main stages of addiction: experimentation, regular use, ...
What are the four steps involved in recovery from addiction?
The four stages of treatment are:Treatment initiation.Early abstinence.Maintaining abstinence.Advanced recovery.
In which stage of alcoholism does the drinker face serious health problems?
Lastly the final stage, known as the end-stage of alcohol abuse, is the point where the alcoholic is experiencing very serious health and mental issues.
Do alcoholics sleep a lot?
Sleep problems, which can have significant clinical and economic consequences, are more common among alcoholics than among nonalcoholics. During both drinking periods and withdrawal, alcoholics commonly experience problems falling asleep and decreased total sleep time. Other measures of sleep are also disturbed.
What is the first stage in the development of alcoholism?
Stage #1: Occasional abuse and binge drinking The first stage of alcoholism is a general experimentation with alcohol. These drinkers may be new to different forms of alcohol and likely to test their limits. This experimental stage is commonly seen in young adults.
What is the first stage of substance abuse?
Stage 1: Initiation The first stage of addiction is called initiation, during which time the individual tries a substance for the first time.
How do you spot drug seeking behavior?
Box 1Indicators of drug-seeking behaviours.Typical requests and complaints. Aggressively complaining about a need for a drug. ... Inappropriate self-medicating. ... Inappropriate use of general practice. ... Resistant behaviour. ... Manipulative or illegal behaviour. ... Other typical behaviours.
What are the 3 P's of recovery?
3 “P's” for Recovery: Passion, Power and Purpose.
What are the five phases of addiction?
Stages of AddictionFirst Use. The first step to addiction is trying the substance. ... Regular Use. As people become regular users, they begin to display a pattern. ... Risky Use. As use deepens, people may begin to exhibit dangerous behavior, such as driving while drunk or high. ... Dependence. ... Substance Use Disorder.
What are the stages of rehab?
The 4 Stages of Physical Rehabilitation TreatmentThe Recovery Stage. The first stage of physical rehabilitation is the Recovery Stage. ... The Repair Stage. After the healing process has begun, the next step is to start recovering movement and mobility. ... The Strength Stage. ... The Function Stage.
What can spouses of alcoholics do to help their significant others?
One of the first things that spouses of alcoholics can do to help their significant others is attempting to understand what alcoholism is and what mental and physical hardships are experienced by an alcoholic. Alcoholism is a disease and shouldn’t be underestimated.
What are the consequences of alcoholism?
poor personal fitness. poor personal hygiene. When the continued dependence on alcohol is combined with the normal stresses of everyday living at home, work, or school, the way that an alcoholic thinks can become distorted, leading to relationship complications with coworkers, friends, and, most of all, the spouse and family.
How does alcohol affect a person?
Alcoholics often become emotionally unstable in addition to their debilitating physical condition. Emotional instability can translate into a number of other problems that affect the alcoholic’s spouse and family. Among these problems are conditions like apathy towards work, family, and social exchanges. Alcoholics often lose sight of their prior goals and values and can only focus on getting more alcohol. This addiction often takes over the majority of an alcoholic’s time and can lead to, among other problems: 1 loss of work 2 failed career 3 poor personal fitness 4 poor personal hygiene
Why do alcoholics become emotionally unstable?
Alcoholics often become emotionally unstable in addition to their debilitating physical condition. Emotional instability can translate into a number of other problems that affect the alcoholic’s spouse and family. Among these problems are conditions like apathy towards work, family, and social exchanges.
Can an alcoholic's spouse be an alcoholic?
You are not helpless, though, and there are several ways to receive support and help if you have begun to suspect and complain, “My spouse is an alcoholic.”.
Do alcoholics need to stay at the organization?
Others are residential and require the patient to stay at the organization’s treatment center, so that alcoholics are cut off from their supply of alcohol and can progress with in-depth, one-on-one group therapy.
Can a spouse help someone with alcoholism?
As a spouse, it is important to realize that being unable to help your loved one overcome alcoholism does not mean that there is a problem with you. Numerous programs exist to help alcoholics and their families cope with and overcome alcoholism.
How to approach a spouse with alcohol use disorder?
Some things to consider when approaching a spouse who may have an alcohol use disorder include: 2, 3. Never discuss the issue when the person is intoxicated or has been drinking. Wait until he or she sobers up. Discuss the issue when the person is recovering from substance use.
How does alcohol affect your life?
The use of alcohol can impact the person’s life in a number of areas including his or her occupational functioning, social life and relationships, emotional and psychological functioning, and even his or her physical health. 1 The disorder can range from mild to severe.
What is an alcohol use disorder?
Learn more about the use of alcoholic and alcoholism. An alcohol use disorder is a clinical disorder that is associated with the dysfunctional use of alcohol.
What are the types of behaviors that may signal an alcohol use disorder?
The types of behaviors that may signal an alcohol use disorder include: 1, 2. Consistently drinking more alcohol or drinking for longer periods of time than originally intended. Consistently experiencing strong desires or urges ( cravings) to drink alcohol.
What is the purpose of 12-step meetings?
12-step meetings: Many people in recovery from an alcohol use disorder attend 12-step meetings such as Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) when they complete a formal treatment program. Some may use AA as their primary form of treatment, but the program does not offer detox, medical supervision or professional therapy.
What is family therapy?
Family therapy/counseling: Research suggests that family therapy is useful in the treatment of substance use disorders in adults and adolescents. 4 Family therapy involves sessions with the substance user and at least one member of his or her family.
What is the meaning of "drinking"?
Drinking to cope with stress or with other issues. Discovering empty or partially used alcohol containers in the person’s room, car and other places. Suffering legal consequences as a result of alcohol use, such as having more than one ticket for driving under the influence of alcohol.
How to help my spouse with addiction?
The more you learn about your spouse’s addiction, the better off your marriage will be. Educating yourself on the science of addiction, how it impacts the brain, and what you can expect from treatment will help you manage your expectations as your loved one continues his or her recovery journey.
How to encourage your spouse to drink?
If in the past, you and your spouse spent most of your leisure time drinking or spending time in places where drug and alcohol abuse is frequent, it would be wise to encourage your spouse by suggesting other sober activities, such as going to the movie theater or going for a hike. Be prepared to handle relapse.
Why is it important for spouses to help others?
Spouses play an important role in encouraging and helping their significant others manage stress and cope with triggers , especially in early recovery. Health problems – Long-term drug and alcohol abuse can cause serious and lasting health problems that continue long after drug rehab is over.
How to help your spouse in recovery?
Maintain a substance-free living environment. Supporting your spouse in his or her recovery may also mean that you and the whole family also need to make a lifestyle change. Removing all addictive substances from your home will help create a living space where your spouse will feel supported, safe, and accountable.
What are the issues that couples need to deal with after rehab?
Couples will need to develop strategies to manage their finances and maintain accountability. Relationship issues – Addiction causes a lot of turmoil and trust issues between spouses and a marriage will take time to heal, even after rehab.
How to maintain wellness?
Getting enough sleep, eating well, exercising, and doing things you enjoy are all things that will help you maintain your overall wellness, which in turn, will equip you to face the challenges of everyday life. Find support in the recovery community. If you are not already attending recovery support group meetings for loved ones ...
Can a spouse be in rehab while recovering from addiction?
Although it will take time and effort, it is possible to establish and maintain a healthy marriage while a spouse is recovering from addiction. If your husband or wife is currently completing a drug and alcohol rehab program or has recently completed one, here are eight strategies that may help you address the challenges of living with an addict in recovery.
How to tell if your spouse is addicted to alcohol?
It can be painfully obvious when a partner’s alcohol use is becoming a problem. However, it’s often difficult for either the individual or the spouse to admit that there may be an alcohol addiction issue. The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism has a list of symptoms that can help one to identify when a loved one is dealing with alcoholism, such as: 1 Spending less time doing favorite activities because of more time spent drinking or hungover 2 Having trouble keeping up with family or work responsibilities due to drinking 3 Continuing to drink even if it is causing trouble with family or friends 4 Regularly getting into risky situations while drunk, such as driving or operating machinery
What is the issue with an alcoholic spouse?
Another issue that can arise in a marriage with an individual who is alcoholic is codependency. Put very simply, a codependent relationship is one in which one partner’s behavior depends on the need to take care of or control another person.
How to survive a spouse's recovery period?
The key to surviving your spouse’s recovery period is to focus on yourself. Dr. Al: First of all if a person is drinking and using drugs it affects the thinking parts of the brain, they’re not all of themselves. A lot of people make assumptions about the relationship but when there’s drugs involved it’s up in the air as to what ...
How long does it take to recover from alcoholism?
While it may have taken months or years to get to this point, realistically it’s going to be another eighteen months, two years before you can do any sort ...
Why is it important to have a period of abstinence?
Often married people who are drinking and using drugs, it turns out in recovery that they had a bad relationship because the marriage kind of consolidated around alcohol and drugs. The opposite happens, too.
What happens when your spouse is in the yellow zone?
Then, when your spouse has reached the Yellow Zone, you’ll be able to see if your relationship is sustainable. One word of caution for this period of self-discovery, dating other people during this period is not something I would recommend.
Why do people stay with their alcoholic spouse?
They believe they can fix the alcoholic. In some cases, a partner may stay with an alcoholic spouse because the spouse enters treatment and seems to want to change.
What are the negative effects of alcohol on a spouse?
Coping with a spouse who abuses alcohol is distressing, and according to the research, it has the following potential negative effects for the spouse and family of an alcoholic: Domestic violence against the spouse. Mental health problems like depression. Reduced confidence. Spouse feeling inferior.
What is the medical term for an alcoholic husband?
The medical term for alcoholism is an alcohol use disorder, according to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism.
What happens if your spouse relapses?
If your spouse relapses and returns to harmful behaviors, you may have to decide to end the relationship for good . Part of living with an alcoholic spouse is accepting that alcoholism is a lifelong disease, which will require ongoing support.
What does it mean to have a tolerance for alcohol?
Having a tolerance for alcohol, meaning that it takes larger and larger amounts of alcohol for your spouse to feel the same effects. Drinking when it creates danger, such as driving while under the influence of alcohol. Experiencing withdrawal symptoms, like sleep problems, nausea, and sweating, when not drinking.
Why are alcoholics afraid of new life?
The alcoholic partner may be working and supporting the household, making the other partner financially dependent upon the alcoholic.
What is alcoholic behavior?
Being unable to fulfill duties at home or work because of alcohol. For example, alcoholic behavior in relationships may lead a spouse to lose a job, stop paying household bills or struggle to contribute to household maintenance and chores.
What does it mean when your husband is in rehab?
Having your husband in rehab can mean this is the first time you’ve been alone for a long time. Loneliness can significantly affect your mental health and is not something you want to get lost in. Finding a new hobby can help you combat this loneliness.
What is addiction recovery?
Addiction recovery is a journey that each person needs to make for themselves while having a support system to back them up. Be a part of this system by supporting their decision to attend meetings, go to therapy, or enter a treatment program.
Is it hard to go to rehab?
Entering rehab can be a difficult situation for the person entering rehab and their loved ones. It is essential to maintain your mental health while your husband is in treatment so that you can provide them with a sound support system. Do your best to keep yourself in high spirits and try to be patient with your spouse. They are doing something that will improve both your lives.
What to do if your loved one relapses?
Be Afraid of Sparking a Relapse Despite the myths, nothing you do or say you can cause him to relapse; you simply don’t have that much power. If your loved one relapses, it’s not your fault. You didn’t force him to do anything. Be honest about your feelings, without the fear of the consequences.
What to do before a loved one leaves rehab?
Before your loved one leaves rehab, he will sit down with counselors and develop a detailed aftercare plan. This will make his transition back into the “real” world much easier.
How to avoid making your own recovery plan?
Avoid Making Your Own Recovery Plan This is especially important if your addicted loved one is a teenager or still living at home. Make sure the plan has doable, realistic goals and consequences if he fails to meet those goals. Bring up the Past It’s a given that your loved one hurt you with his drug use.
