Professionals can provide family support for loved ones affected by addiction and help individuals reach recovery at the same time. After all, partners and families are part of the journey and deserve help returning to normalcy. When your drinking causes blackouts, memory loss or sickness, it can significantly impact intimate activities. Drinking can take away the time and desire for sex and even lead to sexual dysfunction.

You Become a Different Person When You Drink

Doing so will help you reduce the risk of beer, wine, or liquor degrading the health of your relationship. Research has shown that excessive alcohol use can lead to serious family consequences, including intimate partner violence and even divorce. A 2018 study found that in children with a strong family history of alcohol use disorder, the chance of developing substance use issues was higher. Alcohol can greatly increase the chance of aggressive behavior in some people and often plays a role in intimate partner violence. Too much drinking can lead to less time spent together—and the time you do spend together can feel less meaningful. For example, someone who drinks a lot might miss out on time with their spouse because they’d rather be at a bar or party.

Try to reduce the amount of alcohol you consume a day

Discover the ultimate guide to self-care and learn how to prioritize your well-being for a healthier, happier you. Discover the power of substance use prevention programs alcohol affecting relationships for a safer future. Additionally, alcohol impairs cognitive functions, such as attention and memory, making it difficult to process and retain information accurately.

#1 You’re Lying About Your Drinking

If you’re concerned with your alcohol consumption and attitude toward drinking, talk to a healthcare provider as a first step. Though alcohol seems woven into the fabric of our social lives, drinking can have harmful health effects, even in small doses. Short-term and long-term effects of alcohol can negatively impact the mind and body, despite any potential benefits. Establishing healthy boundaries is essential when alcohol is affecting a relationship. Boundaries help define acceptable behaviors and promote respect and trust between partners.

Addressing co-dependency while managing your drinking

Physical benefits such as improved sleep, better-looking skin, and a healthier weight are some of the first changes you may notice. Sometimes, we have questions or concerns about our relationship with alcohol, but we’re not sure where to turn for answers or if a problem even exists. Designed as a quick, at-home assessment, a quiz can help you evaluate if drinking is getting in the way of your happiness or other aspects of your life. Infidelity is another factor that contributes to the quality of intimacy in a relationship.

When one or both partners regularly consume alcohol, trust may become compromised due to various reasons. Excessive drinking can lead to erratic behavior, unreliability, and poor decision-making, which can erode trust over time. The effects of alcohol on behavior can create doubts and uncertainties about a partner’s actions and intentions.

For example, AA holds open meetings that can be attended by family and friends who want to be actively engaged in your recovery. AA’s sister organization, Alcoholics Anonymous Family Groups (Al-Anon) and its subgroup Alateen, offer safe spaces just for family members of people with addictions. Inpatient treatment occurs in a residential setting, where you are removed from your traditional using environment and can begin the healing process with an individual counselor and group counseling. The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration notes that families that are affected by alcohol problems have high levels of confusion and stress.

The negative effects of heavy alcohol use typically aren’t limited to just the person drinking. While this isn’t an exhaustive list of the symptoms of alcohol use disorder, one of the biggest indicators is that alcohol is having a significantly negative impact on your life and your relationships with others. In fact, research from 2019 has shown that alcohol behavioral couple therapy can help participants drink less, decrease conflict, and increase communication between partners.

• No one wants to lose the love and trust of someone they care about over something preventable.
• Groups typically focus on helping acquaintances and loved ones understand that they are not responsible for the behavior and actions of a sufferer of alcoholism.
• Children may also find problems with their own social development appearing due to a parent dealing with alcohol abuse becoming unwilling or unable to support the child’s endeavors.
• Indeed, research by the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry (AACAP) suggests that one in every five adult Americans resided with a relative who abused alcohol in their adolescence.
• Alcohol has a profound impact on behavior and dynamics within relationships.

• To the loved ones of someone with a drinking problem, it might always look like the alcohol comes first.
• When it comes to how alcohol affects relationships, you might notice more lying or deception from yourself or your spouse.
• Alcohol consumption often correlates with increased risk-taking behaviors.
• The connection between alcohol, interpersonal violence and codependency is widely documented.
• With that in mind, here are some things to consider as you move forward on this journey.

There are many different alcohol rehab treatments available that can be effective in reducing or eliminating problems with alcohol while easing the symptoms of alcohol withdrawal. Some treatments involve individual counseling, group counseling, while some are more focused on peer-supported self-help meetings and groups like Alcoholics Anonymous. These programs also have guidelines for anyone thinking, “am I an alcoholic?