Drinking, especially excessively, in cases of alcoholism or alcohol addiction, can have major drawbacks–and it can damage relationships in ways that you may never be able to repair.
For many people, alcohol is a seemingly harmless reason to unwind and celebrate. In fact, it’s part of many cultures all over the world. People drink alcohol such as beer, wine, champagne, cognac, and all sorts of liquors for many reasons. Some do it for fun, socialization, relaxing, escape, get sleeps, and even to relieve symptoms such as stress.
However, there could be a point when your drinking can have negative consequences, especially when it comes to your relationships. It’s no surprise that many relationships get damaged with drinking as one of its major causes. This is very true when alcohol use disorder, alcoholism, or alcohol addiction is in the mix.
The Role of Alcohol and Drinking in Your Relationship
When you’re in a relationship, you put your partner first. They are your top priority, if not among your top. Whatever the case may be, your partner is definitely more important than your habit, much more any substance. Or so, that’s what you believe.
When alcohol use disorder, or alcohol addiction, takes its grip on you, you don’t realize the damage it does to your loved ones. In fact, if you ever do, you’re the last to see how it caused them disappointment and heartbreak.
Perhaps, you have lied, deceived, manipulated, and have become aggressive to get your way and feed your addiction. What was once a vibrant, hopeful, happy, and powerful relationship you have with your partner may have crumbled and diminished because of your strong, frequent, and increasing desire to drink.
Usually, the symptoms start without anyone noticing. Do you forego spending time with your partner or loved ones because you would rather go out and drink? Or you forget special occasions because you were too hungover or preoccupied on your next binge? Maybe you always become grumpy and forget to be more considerate because you’re always irritable and thinking about drinking? These are just a few of the things that may be happening that you’re not even aware of.
You Become Different Whenever You Drink
Chances are, your partner knows you. And it pains them to see you become different when you’ve had alcohol. You may not be aware of this, but this can have significant effects on how you treat your loved ones, how they perceive you, and the whole dynamics of the relationship.
If before you drink, you’re sweet, considerate, and loving. You may be aggressive, secretive, withdrawn, and a total jerk when you’re drunk. You may even tend to do stupid, embarrassing, and inappropriate things in public–things that you yourself may never even think of doing when you’re sober.
You may also neglect other things you used to like doing in favor of drinking. Perhaps you always spend your weekends with your family or going out with your partner, but just one call from a drinking buddy and you leave all your plans behind. When drinking has become the end all and be all of your activities and plans, then you should consider getting help for a possible alcohol addiction.
Are You Being Honest About Your Drinking?
You may think it’s your own battle to face, so you shield your loved ones from your problematic drinking habit. You may hide how much and how often you drink. If this is the case, then your drinking has become a significant part of your life and your relationship.
Ask yourself why you need to hide it in the first place. Any relationship has to have trust and honesty, and being secretive about what you’re doing, in this case your drinking, is a warning sign that things may not be doing too well.
Get Help for Alcohol Addiction
Those people who drink excessively and enjoy it would not even think that they have a drinking problem. Perhaps they don’t see a problem or they’re in denial. They haven’t reached that point when things around them has started crashing down.
However, if a loved one has expressed concern about your drinking habit, perhaps it’s best to take a step back and assess what you’re doing.
If you think you need help for yourself, Bridges of Hope is here. You may contact us at 09175098826 for help with alcohol addiction.
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