Author: Alex Thompson

6 Signs Alcohol Is Hurting Your Relationship

Alcohol’s ability to lower inhibitions and impair judgment are known to contribute to the possibility of a person cheating on their partner (4). Changes in your personality can cause you to interact differently with the people around you — and not always for the better. Understanding what emotional intelligence looks like and the steps needed to improve it could light a path to a more emotionally adept world.

If you’ve reached the point where it’s hard to communicate with your partner, consider reaching out to a therapist who specializes in couples and family counseling for help getting back on track. A 2013 study found that of the 52 people who participated, over 34 of them (that’s more than 60%) noted that substance use was a factor for separation. This was especially true in cases where the partner refused to acknowledge an issue or get help.

For one, “Birds of a feather flock together.” If you’re a heavy drinker, you may spend more time with (and date) those who do the same. Results showed that in dating or marriage, your romantic partner does have a small yet meaningful impact on your alcohol use. A glass of wine with dinner, drinks with friends at the bar, and a “cheers” to kick off the weekend—alcohol is ingrained in our social rituals. The reason drinking can become a problem is because of how alcohol affects the brain.

Given that alcohol can contribute to all these issues, it’s likely that alcohol use has the potential to lead to separation issues in some couples. He is also a clinical psychologist at CRUX Psychology, a Canadian-based psychology practice offering online and in person services. People who are clinically alcohol dependent can die if they suddenly, completely stop drinking. Talk to a GP or your local community alcohol service who will be able to get help for you to reduce your drinking safely. Relationships thrive when you can effectively communicate with each other, but it can be hard to do that when you’ve been drinking. Alcohol can negatively impact a relationship to the point of breakup or divorce.

The Cost of Treatment vs. The Cost of Drinking

On the other hand, you may use alcohol to try to manage the stress and challenging emotions that arise as a result of relationship troubles. Nearly a third of U.S. adults have a period of problem drinking at some point during their lives (1). If you feel like alcohol has been affecting your relationships, consider reaching out for help so that you can be your best self for the people around you. Instead of trying to solve issues while under the influence, it’s OK to take a step back and address it at a later time, when you’re sober. If you’re not sure how much alcohol is too much, consider following the recommended Dietary Guidelines for Americans of 1 drink or less in a day for women and 2 drinks or less in a day for men. Participants also cited high levels of conflict and arguing, another significant contributor to divorce, according to research from 2017.

Fortunately, there are more ways than ever to get support if alcohol is harming your life and happiness. Ria Health is one online program offering comprehensive help—from coaching meetings to anti-craving prescriptions—100 percent from your smartphone. With Ria, you won’t have to rearrange your life to start improving your drinking habits, relationships, and overall well-being. For most people, being addicted to alcohol (or any substance) means prioritizing it over the more important parts of life—even if you don’t mean to.

1. Alcohol’s ability to lower inhibitions and impair judgment are known to contribute to the possibility of a person cheating on their partner (4).
2. If you’re not sure how much alcohol is too much, consider following the recommended Dietary Guidelines for Americans of 1 drink or less in a day for women and 2 drinks or less in a day for men.
3. If you feel like alcohol has been affecting your relationships, consider reaching out for help so that you can be your best self for the people around you.
4. Drinking is often an enjoyable part of many different social activities.

If you experience the above warning signs or people in your life express concern about your drinking and its effects on your relationships, it’s time to seek help. Alcohol is often a contributing factor in intimate partner violence, child abuse, and child neglect (3). Research has shown that excessive alcohol use can lead to serious family consequences, including intimate partner violence and even divorce.

Or they might hide how much they were drinking, who they were hanging out with, or what they were doing in order to avoid a fight. Too much drinking can lead to less time spent together—and the time you do spend together can feel less meaningful. For example, someone who drinks a lot might miss out on time with their spouse because they’d rather be at a bar or party. And when they’re home, they might choose to drink instead of being present with their loved ones. If someone in a relationship has a drinking problem, it can leave the other person feeling disconnected and distant from their partner.

Can alcohol change a person?

Alcohol can affect relationships in various ways, and this can look different for each person. But there are ways you can recognize when alcohol might be negatively affecting your relationships — and when it may be time to get help. Drinking is often an enjoyable part of many different social activities. But for many people, it can also be a source of conflict in their relationships. Take our short alcohol quiz to learn where you fall on the drinking spectrum and if you might benefit from quitting or cutting back on alcohol.

A 2018 study found that alcohol had negative effects on both partners in a relationship for different reasons. Spouses of partners with alcohol use disorders report decreased satisfaction and increased depression, anxiety, and stress. Treatment may include medication like naltrexone to help curb your cravings for alcohol and help you drink less or stop drinking entirely. Because alcohol heightens emotions and makes it harder to read emotional cues from others, it’s more likely that drinking will magnify feelings of jealousy. Problem drinking and relationship troubles can have a reciprocal effect on each other. How much you drink, and your overall drinking habits, may be a source of conflict with some people in your life.

But drinking too much can also take a toll on your friendships, family relationships, and even how you interact with your colleagues at work. If your relationship involves heavy drinking and your sex life is suffering, alcohol may be to blame. While it’s true that alcohol can increase sexual desire in the short term, it can harm a person’s sex drive in the long run. This is because it can adversely affect your hormones, emotional well-being, and overall health. The effects of alcohol on relationships can mean more conflicts in general. For instance, a worried husband may voice his concerns when he sees his wife pouring wine after work every day.

Work on Your Romantic Relationship to Work on Your Relationship With Alcohol

Alcohol can have a huge impact on the way you interact with others and the quality of your closest relationships. This codependency can quickly become toxic, leading to harmful ups and downs for both people involved. Ian Landau is a journalist who’s written extensively about health and wellness since 2010.

Get screened for alcohol use disorder (AUD) and get treatment

Oar is a science-based platform that helps people drink less or stop drinking. Complete an online assessment and get connected with a medical provider who can determine if Naltrexone is right for you. Drinking may affect a person’s ability to earn a living, or they may make impulsive, economically unsound decisions while drinking that leave them and those they care for in a vulnerable position.

Research from 2019 explored the relationship between alcohol and violence. Alcohol can greatly increase the chance of aggressive behavior in some people and often plays a role in intimate partner violence. The survey results showed that people in committed relationships who use alcohol during intimacy were more likely to be sexually aggressive toward their intimate partners.