10 Signs Your Spouse Has Alcohol Problems
Individuals who abuse alcohol are often not aware they have a problem with alcohol, and they will hide it at any cost. Spouses and families often notice their loved one has a drinking problem before the person is aware.
If you suspect your loved one is abusing alcohol you should be sure before confronting them to have a conversation about it. Alcohol: A Hidden Problem data as recent as 2015 shows that at least 15.1 million Americans have had an issue with Alcohol Use disorder. Young children are often exposed to alcohol abuse and dependence in their family unit. The negative effects alcohol has on a person’s life are countless, and it is also their families and children that are affected the most.
Alcoholism can often lead to divorces in married couples. Alcohol can affect the mental and physical health of a person, but it is also a destroyer of families. There are some sure tell signs that a person has a problem with alcohol like extreme hangovers, or excessive money spent at the bar, but there are other signs that can be easily missed by a family.
Following are 10 signs that your spouse may have a drinking problem:
1. They Hide It.
Most people will keep their alcohol in the fridge or a liquor cabinet. Not an alcoholic. They will be ashamed of the amount they are drinking so they might stuff small bottles of liquor in couches, behind bookshelves, in their car, etc. Some alcoholics will go to great extremes to hide their problem from you. If you find their stash they will get defensive so recognize this as a warning sign right away.
2. They Are Dishonest About Drinking.
You have heard the excuses before: they have to stay late at work…help a friend…make a random stop…and then they come home very drunk. If they have to lie or justify the amount of alcohol they are imbibing you should mark this down as a red flag or a drinking problem.
3. Change in Mood.
We have all seen the cheery drunk friend at a party, but what we don’t see is the sadness, irritability, restlessness, and overall discontent they experience. Oftentimes you will see someone who struggles with alcohol change their mood frequently. Since alcohol is a depressant don’t be surprised if they break down, and cry in front of you and go through a wide range of emotions. Anxiety and depression are pervasive with alcohol as well as trouble sleeping. If they are dependent enough to experience alcohol withdrawal these symptoms will become more persistent and last longer.
4. Disregarding Everyday Tasks.
A person with a drinking problem will often fail to complete their responsibilities at work, home, school, or family commitments. They will forget about them completely or become a very poor performer at work. This is because alcohol has become the forefront of their decision making, and that is all they will work for. This will cause the loss of relationships with friends, family, and cause financial problems as well as job loss.
5. Issues with Health.
Alcohol is a poison, and our bodies were not meant to process it at such high levels. When alcoholics drink excessively every day this can lead to a host of medical problems specifically in the liver. I’m sure you have seen people with liver failure with yellow skin. Other illnesses that can manifest are diabetes, high blood pressure, stroke, memory loss, cancer, and more. Since their immune system is weakened by heavy drinking they are more susceptible.
6. Alcohol Withdrawal.
One of the easiest signs of alcohol problems is when a person stops drinking they will start to exhibit withdrawal symptoms like headaches, anxiety, depression, tremors, nausea, and even seizures which can lead to death. Because of these horrible alcohol withdrawal symptoms, people will often resort back to drinking again to calm them.
7. Legal Troubles.
When drinking heavily people often don’t factor in the lifestyle choices they make which can negatively affect their life. It is not uncommon to see a person with a potential alcohol problem to start receiving legal charges like DUI or driving under the influence, public drunkenness, disorderly conduct. Some of these charges can lead to significant jail time as well as probation not to mention the risk of death to self or others. Since anger is a symptom of alcoholics sometimes domestic abuse can occur.
8. Continuing to Drink Despite Ramifications.
Severe consequences can result from continuing to drink alcohol even if one has a problem with it. When they are faced with losing their family, finances, job, house, and friends but they still drink this should be a sure sign that they need help.
9. Trying to Quit.
Once a person is fully addicted to alcohol it is almost impossible for them to stop on their own. They might promise to quit to their friends and family, but they will often find it is very hard to stop. They will go through this cycle over and over again until something breaks, but often times it will just be more trouble.
10. Ignoring their Problem.
Many alcoholics will deny they have a problem with alcohol and find many other excuses for their issue. These are just excuses for them not wanting to face the truth that they cannot continue to drink safely. Sometimes a professional intervention is needed for them to see the damage they have caused. Even if you recognize the problem, real progress can only be made if your spouse is willing to admit it and seek help.
If you suspect your partner has a drinking problem, you are not alone. Help is available. For more information about alcoholism and how to get your spouse into recovery contact Daybreak Treatment Solutions at 215-449-8108
Daybreak Addiction Treatment Solutions, located in Levittown, Pennsylvania (near Philadelphia & Lancaster, PA, Baltimore, MD, New York City and Wilmington, DE), provides this page as a forum for general sharing of information. For more specific information relating to drug addiction, alcoholism and mental health or dual-diagnosis disorders, or to inquire further about our residential treatment programs for men and women, please contact Daybreak 24/7 at: 215-449-8108. For those with private health insurance plans, we offer a quick and simple online inquiry form in order to help alleviate the added stress of having to deal with your insurance carrier…we look forward to being an integral part of your new life in recovery!
DayBreak is NOT just another drug rehab center – it is a treatment solution founded on the core principles of change. Relapse no longer needs to be a part of your story, call us when you are ready for a life rediscovered…215-449-8108