Misuse of alcohol does not only affect the physical being but also the emotional and social nature of the user. Although not all alcohol consumers graduate into addicts, frequent consumption develops a toll on one’s social and personal life.
It is estimated that around 1.4 % of the global population struggles with alcohol use disorder. This translates to just as many families, friends, and colleagues who are affected, that is, second-hand effects of alcohol.
People turn to alcohol for various reasons; some take alcohol to numb stressful situations, others due to peer pressure or source confidence while others just do it for fun.
Whichever the reason, when your drinking habits become a problem to you and those around you then it is harmful drinking. Alternatively, when you feel the need to increase your drinking frequency then you have begun the long road down alcohol dependency which may progress to full-blown addiction.
In this light, this article will look into how alcohol use disorder destroys relationships; from romantic relationships to friendships and even professional relations with others.
Mistrust
Alcoholism may change a person’s behavior making them secretive, promiscuous, and also a manipulator. It is not uncommon for an alcoholic to lie about their drinking escapades may be due to shame, fear, or the guilt of disappointing their loved ones yet again.
They may also be secretive as to whom they were with or where they spent their day and this can potentially lead to broken trust in romantic relationships. What their significant other hears are just excuses and as they say, broken trust is like a broken mirror – you can never get all the pieces back together.
In addition, alcohol increases testosterone levels and sexual desire which can be a motivation for unfaithfulness in relationships or unwanted pregnancies.
According to the Epidemiological Catchment Area (ECA), 40% of individuals who have experienced a divorce and separation report it to be associated with alcohol use disorder (AUD).
Unavailability
Alcoholics tend to be emotionally and physically detached from their loved ones and colleagues alike. This is because alcohol affects the cognitive functioning of an individual which may make them neglect their duties and responsibilities.
A lot of time is spent drinking and when they are not, they are either recovering from a blackout, hangover, or other short-term effects of alcohol or seeking out their next drink.
Such routines are unhealthy and could lead to marital dissolutions, lay-offs at the place of work due to low productivity, or even abandonment by close friends.
Ordinarily, if one parent suffers alcohol use disorder, they may lose touch with their children as they are barely and when they are home, they do not actively bond with the kids.
Physical unavailability may extend to intimacy. Sex is an important factor in a healthy relationship. Lack of it may lead a relationship to dwindle and leave one party sexually neglected.
Moreover, a drinking problem may carry with it sexual dysfunction and hence a major cause of a breakup.
Violence
Research from the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism shows that alcohol impairs the brain mechanisms which restrain impulsive behaviors. As a result, it is common to misjudge social cues and easily feel threatened or provoked.
Arguments, random outbursts, and domestic violence are prime examples of how alcohol destroys relationships.
The World Health Organization reports that 55% of domestic violence cases involve alcohol abuse by the perpetrator. In the US alone, there are over 500,000 cases of reported alcohol abuse every year.
Alcoholics may develop aggravated anger issues as a defense mechanism, especially when their drinking temperament is in question, creating a toxic environment for their loved ones.
Assault
As mentioned earlier, excessive drinking not only increases sexual desire but also causes emotional instability.
More often than not, many sexual assaults occur in bars and at parties compared to one’s home. But this does not eliminate the possibility.
Heavy drinking can exacerbate misperceptions and lead to incidences of rape, physical violation, and molestation. At times, alcohol abuse assaults may have nothing to do with sex but everything to do with power.
Research has shown that the majority of the incarcerated men charged with rape perform the heinous act in desperation for power which compels them to rape, defile or molest their counterparts.
Financial burden
Families with an alcoholic often experience a big financial burden as most of their income goes down the drain. Due to alcohol dependency, the addict goes to immeasurable extents to get purchase a drink, from stealing money to embezzling the family’s accounts and borrowing from friends and relatives.
Such habits lead to spiraling debts that the individual, or family at large, may be unable to pay. This may, in turn, lead to unfriendliness between them and their creditors.
Furthermore, alcoholics often land into legal problems, such as fights, driving under the influence, and disorderly conduct in public places. A lot of funds are wasted on settling fines and paying legal attorneys to get them out of trouble.
In one way or another, living with an alcoholic may be one tough emotional and financial rollercoaster that many may back out of.
Is there an intervention? (Alcohol Use Disorder)
Absolutely yes. No matter what you or your loved ones have been through, there is redemption for people struggling with alcoholism.
Maintaining a relationship with an alcoholic may be strenuous, tedious, and seem like a waste of resources. As they fall deeper and deeper into dependency, the situation only gets worse.
However, it is possible to help them break free from the all-consuming addictive substance. But only if they are willing to accept help to break free from the physical dependence. They might have tried to break free on their own but relapsed due to their surrounding environment.
It is, therefore, crucial that we provide recovering alcoholics with a conducive environment to get back on their feet; this may things as meager as not exposing them to temptation by refilling your home bars or a change of friends if they encourage them towards drinking sprees.
Getting your loved one attached to a rehabilitation center, A community, or professional counseling can help them overcome addiction and gradually rebuild broken relationships.
