Millions of people are dating an alcoholic and trying to make a tough situation work. However, the problems inherent in this situation are very complex and might be beyond control. That’s why we at Atlantic Recovery Center created this simple guide. Readers will learn about the dangers of alcoholism, the symptoms of this disease, and how rehab may save their relationship.
The Potential Dangers of Dating an Alcoholic
For many people, dating an alcoholic is not a traumatic experience. While they may see their loved one injuring themselves with alcohol, they may not experience any side effects. That said, even watching somebody destroy themselves is traumatic enough for most people. Alcoholism can often cause many dangerous problems in romantic situations, including:
- Violence – Some with an alcohol abuse disorder may lash out angrily when they are drunk
- Infidelity and jealousy – A loss of inhibition may cause someone to cheat and to act jealous about their partner
- Romantic problems – Constant alcohol abuse may cause major conflicts between partners, including angry arguments and even physical fights
- Money issues – Alcohol abuse often triggers financial difficulties, particularly if that person loses their job
Many struggles like these occur when the person drinks. Often, people with alcohol abuse disorder behave in reasonable and rational ways when sober. However, continued adverse behaviors may continually affect a relationship and make it impossible to pursue. Therefore, it is critical to assess this situation honestly and with an objective view to make some tough decisions.
Symptoms of Alcoholism
Alcoholism is a very complex disease to diagnose. Somebody who drinks a six-pack on a Saturday may not seem to have a physical alcohol abuse disorder if they don’t drink the rest of the week. Though they may have a binge drinking problem, real physical alcoholism may not be present. This problem will make dating an alcoholic much harder because they will experience many adverse symptoms when they try to quit. Just a few signs that they have physical alcoholism include:
- Daily drinking, even if only a few beers or mixed drinks
- Attempts to stop that always end up in failure
- Legal and financial troubles related to drinking
- Losing a job due to excessive drinking
- Disconnect from friends and family members who do not drink
- Attempts to get you to drink with them as a way of making it a social situation
- Anxiety when there isn’t any alcohol in the house
- Sexual dysfunction related to alcohol use
- Nausea and other sicknesses develop when they stop drinking
That said, alcoholism is not just a physical disease. Emotional and psychological concerns can make this disease even worse. For example, your partner may have two drinks after work every day to calm their anxiety. Though this may not seem as extreme as binge drinking, it is still a form of alcoholism. Anytime somebody “needs” a substance, they are addicted. Therefore, high-quality outpatient or inpatient treatment may be necessary for their recovery.
How Treatment Can Help When Dating An Alcoholic
If you are dating an alcoholic, and you want to help them regain their sobriety, addiction treatment is necessary. You may need to start with an intervention with family and friends. This process often forces a person to face the truth of their addiction. Most who go through an intervention end up in rehab and have a better chance of success when they start their treatment.
Once in rehab, your partner will go through multiple care modalities to meet their needs. These include detoxification, psychological help, nutritional care, and behavioral adjustments. Plans of this type change and adapt to a person’s needs, providing them with the best chance of regaining sobriety. And you can attend some therapy sessions as a romantic partner to work out your differences together.
Get Help Today
If you are dating an alcoholic and want to help them recover, please contact us at Atlantic Recovery Center. Call 1-866-824-5193 to speak to one of our counselors about how we can help. Our small inpatient facility has an intimate and caring atmosphere that often makes treatment much easier to handle. You can also verify your insurance to get financial help. Don’t hesitate to make this vital decision.