Alcohol is a prominent part of millions of people’s daily life. We celebrate with it, many of us turn to it after a stressful day. In fact, many of us pick up a glass of wine at the end of each day without fail. And then another. And then another.
While everybody knows it’s not healthy for them, they also don’t see the harm. After all, it doesn’t change who they are and nobody is getting hurt. Or at least so they think.
Alcoholics often aren’t aware of how their drinking habits and behaviour affect other people, not finding out either before it’s too late or when being encouraged to be accountable for their actions during rehab for alcoholics. However, it is important for people to understand, particularly if they are heavy drinkers, just how much it could be impacting other people.
Their concern and anxiety around it will skyrocket
First and foremost, they will largely be concerned and anxious around your drinking. For many different reasons. Largely, they will be concerned about your own personal wellbeing, while on top of that they will be concerned about the risks that being under the influence of alcohol causes them.
While a person can be more at risk of accidents and injuries as a result of alcoholism, it also leads to more disagreements, arguments and can often put loved ones at risk. After all, statistics suggest that around 40% of domestic violence cases are by offenders that are under the influence of alcohol.
Frustration and Helplessness
Regular heavy drinking can cause an awful lot of frustration from loved ones, as they’re no longer getting a relationship with the person they love, but rather the drunken person they love. This makes it difficult to speak on an equal level, whether it be general small talk about a person’s day or serious issues that may need to be considered.
Decisions cannot be made efficiently while under the influence and it can not only frustrate a loved one, but leave them feeling helpless and isolated, to the point where they may keep important information from you.
Emotional Distance
That in turn drives an emotional wedge between loved ones. It can become harder to connect, with alcohol becoming a barrier rather than that nice treat to celebrate the good times and commiserate the bad.
It can really strain relationships which people under the influence may not even notice, or if they do, will likely blame the other person. Which is far from the reality of the situation.
Impact on Family Dynamics
Those with drinking problems in a family will see the atmosphere change for many different reasons. It makes for an unstable family dynamic, with heavy drinking leading to a decrease in reliability, meaning other people have to pick up more of the day-to-day chores, which can lead to tension that is difficult to turnaround, especially if as the drinker, you’re blissfully unaware or don’t acknowledge your part in it.
Fear for the Future
Ultimately, that all winds up in fear. Fear for the present, fear for the future. Not just for your health, but for their own too. Alcoholism can damage health, relationships, careers, cause financial concerns, all of which are numbed for the person drinking. But not for the person that is sober trying to hold it all together.
It’s ultimately an unfair dynamic which is only going to get worse without acknowledging the situation and doing something about it. If you love your loved ones, then there’s only one real solution. Seek the help you need.
This is a submitted article
