How to live with an alcoholic?

Alcoholism is a serious problem affecting many Ukrainian families. One person’s addiction almost always becomes a common disease in the family. There are dramatic changes in the lives of loved ones: one’s parents, children, and spouses. The wives of alcoholics, who often have codependency syndrome, fall under a powerful blow (they begin to sympathize with their husband, indulge him in everything, ignore the problem, or blame only themselves).

For women living with alcoholics, life becomes a real nightmare that worsens daily. Once a normal husband, he changes a lot: he can show signs of aggression, assault, ceases to take into account the interest of his wife and other family members, and the main goal of his life is to find and drink another dose of alcohol.

The first signs of alcoholism

Unlike many diseases, alcoholism does not develop at lightning speed – it progresses gradually, imperceptibly for a person and his family members. From the first acquaintance with alcohol to the severe stages of addiction, it can take several years and even decades. Often, regular drinking becomes the norm for a person: in a company, on weekends, after a working day, etc.

The first important sign of the development of alcoholism is a gradual increase in the body’s tolerance to – to achieve the desired effect, a person gradually increases the dose of alcohol consumed, up to the impossibility of walking normally or “blackouts”. Other manifestations include:

Hangover (withdrawal syndrome) – manifested by weakness, fatigue, dry mouth, vomiting, hand trembling, tachycardia, etc.;
Drinking alone – you no longer need to look for a reason to drink or select the appropriate company;
Memory lapses – a person cannot remember what happened in the process of drinking alcohol;
Loss of control – an alcoholic cannot control the amount of alcohol one drinks and often drinks oneself into unconsciousness;
Loss of the gag reflex – no gagging even after significant amounts of alcohol consumed.

Causes of alcoholism

There is no exact list of reasons for the development of alcohol addiction. But there is a whole range of factors that can provoke the development of alcoholism in a man. All aspects are divided into three main groups:

Social reasons – provide for the influence of the surrounding society on a man. Often, regular use begins with the tradition of drinking at home dinner (for appetite), relaxing in the company of colleagues after a working day, etc. Peers and parents especially influence young spouses. Advice to parents of an alcoholic – do not encourage your son to drink alcohol, even in the family circle;
Biological causes – hereditary predisposition. The risk of addiction formation increases if there are alcoholics in the husband’s family;
Psychological reasons – a tense atmosphere in the family (quarrels, scandals, reproaches), lack of understanding on the part of the spouse, problems at work, low financial well-being, the impossibility of self-realization, etc.

Back call

How does the psyche of drinking people change?

The abuse of alcoholic beverages significantly changes the human psyche. Ethanol causes a gradual addiction to the body, with the flow into physical dependence – regular drinking becomes the main task and the key meaning of life. Gradually, a personality change occurs. The patient changes their social circle – they do not have time to communicate with nondrinkers (it becomes uninteresting).

Most alcoholics do not recognize their problem and completely deny the need for alcoholism treatment – this significantly aggravates family relationships. Aggression towards their wife, children, and parents also gradually increases. In severe cases, alcoholic psychosis manifests itself (inappropriate behavior, hallucinations, loss of orientation in space, etc.). In this case, MEDLUX experts recommend immediately calling a narcologist at home.

How alcohol affects the nervous system

Alcohol, like drugs, harms the human nervous system. With persistent alcohol dependence and prolonged use of alcohol, significant impairment of cognitive functions appears, and the risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease increases.

Immediately after ingestion, alcohol excites the nervous system, which is gradually replaced by a hypnotic effect. Also, alcohol has neurotoxic properties, meaning the brain’s neurons die progressively off in an alcoholic. It causes memory deterioration, a decrease in mental abilities, anxiety, the general worsening of the emotional state, and depression.

Anonymous guarantee

Emergency assistance 24/7

Free consultation

What to do with an aggressive alcoholic?

The aggression of an alcoholic in a state of intoxication poses a significant threat to one’s wife, children, parents, and others. Therefore, people nearby need to follow some recommendations that can significantly reduce the risk of violence and other adverse consequences:

Do not react to drunken attacks – keep calm and do not succumb to provocations;
Do not raise your voice – the conversation should be conducted in a quiet, calm voice, without sudden movements and rudeness;
Distract attention – if a drunk person performs aggressive actions, try to distract them, switch their attention to a more interesting and safe topic, for example, offering tea or a meal;
Help – if the alcoholic’s actions become uncontrollably aggressive, which can lead to violence, mess, or other serious consequences, it is necessary to persuade one to leave the house, for example, by offering money for alcohol. Then immediately call the police or a team of narcologists.

How to deal with an alcoholic?

First of all, you need to realize that alcoholism is a disease that requires qualified treatment in a drug treatment clinic. Therefore, starting disputes, forcing people to be coded for alcoholism (without the patient’s desire), or using violence does not make sense. It also makes no sense to tell an alcoholic about a healthy lifestyle every day – the patient must realize the perniciousness of the current problem.

It is unacceptable to feel sorry for an alcoholic – the latter can perceive this as the norm. He will also begin to look for extraneous reasons for what happened, in every possible way justifying and defending their actions, which will only aggravate the situation.

How to get an addict into treatment

Compulsory treatment of alcohol addiction is ineffective. It is not enough to withdraw from heavy drinking at home and coding. For a person to get rid of alcoholism, it is necessary to form the right stable motivation for a complete cure – an alcoholic must realize the perniciousness of the current situation and desire to begin therapy independently.

The best way to motivate the patient is to consult a professional psychotherapist. One will be able to find out the true reasons why a person started drinking, and they will also form the right values for which the patient will want to get rid of addiction.

To get a detailed consultation from a qualified narcologist, contact the MEDLUX clinics!