Support groups can also help people who are codependent on a high-functioning alcoholic. Co-Dependents Anonymous is a 12-step program for people who are trying to recover from a codependent relationship. Other support groups, such as Al-Anon, are available for friends and family members who need help dealing with an alcoholic’s issues. People who are in a codependent relationship with an alcoholic prioritize the needs of the alcoholic over their personal needs. They often suffer a variety of mental health issues, such as low self-esteem and depression.
When you’re in “I can fix this person” mode, there’s a helpful truth to remember.
Family First Interventionists perform a pre-intervention assessment to help determine the level of care for the alcoholic. This process can help the family see the degree of severity their loved one is at. Some questions we ask may not seem relevant, and they are intended to help determine high functioning alcoholic how much help your loved one may require. The Marriage.com Editorial Team is a group of experienced relationship writers, experts, and mental health professionals. Our content is thoroughly reviewed by experts to ensure that we offer high-quality and reliable relationship advice.
What if your loved one refuses?
- If the HFA is open to your concerns and is willing to seek help, he or she should also receive an assessment by a therapist or physician about what level of care may be appropriate.
- I was—and this is another term you’re probably familiar with—reparenting myself, tending to the little boy still inside me.
- However, recovery often requires professional treatment and ongoing support.
- However, even high-functioning alcoholics can’t keep drinking problems a secret forever.
An alcohol use disorder (AUD) is a chronic medical condition characterized by an inability to stop or control drinking despite health, social, or professional consequences. The impact of an AUD isn’t always limited to the one suffering from this chronic medical condition. AUDs may affect not only the person with the drinking problem themselves, but also their family, their loved ones, and others around them. When faced with the challenges of living with a functional alcoholic spouse, we suggest seeking professional guidance. An emotionally connected family member is most likely to be flooded and lacks the ability to make a proper judgment. It is best to let others who are not affected and who are experienced show you the way.
Communicate your boundaries
It’s a natural tendency to try and take control of the alcoholic husband in order to make things right. Peer pressure and easy availability of alcohol can increase the risk of developing an AUD. Negative life experiences, such as grief, abuse, or living in poverty, can also increase the odds. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 95,000 people lose their lives every year due to excessive alcohol use.
Effective Methods for Alcohol Detox
Many of the effects of drinking every day can be reversed through early intervention. That is why alcohol detox and alcohol withdrawal treatment is administered by medical professionals. Some spouses hold onto memories of the person they first knew and cling to hope that this person will return on their own. In reality, an alcoholic spouse will likely not get better on their own, so doing nothing is not a wise option.
- By Buddy TBuddy T is a writer and founding member of the Online Al-Anon Outreach Committee with decades of experience writing about alcoholism.
- There are empathetic, actionable ways to support someone with an alcohol use disorder (AUD) who may be stuck in denial.
- In addition, you should also come up with a list of goals that you want to achieve as a couple once you are done with treatment so that you can lead a more productive and happy life together.
- I’m sure your partner is an amazing person, and you want to hold on to that version of them forever, but don’t lose yourself trying to rescue them.
- Despite ample evidence to the contrary, social media users are making erroneous claims about Harris’ race.
Treatment Options for Your Alcoholic Husband
Living with Someone Who Has Alcohol Use Disorder
