Life with an addicted family member can be stressful and chaotic, but during the holidays, this can sometimes be magnified. Enjoying the holiday season may seem impossible when you’re bombarded by feelings of frustration, disappointment, or dread, especially if your addicted loved one is out of control. Even if he or she is just beginning a new life in recovery, it can sometimes feel like you’re walking on eggshells just to keep things from falling apart. (more…)
Matt A. spend his childhood in Plano, Texas with his two parents, an older sister, and a dog. Overall, things were nice. Although life was pretty uneventful on Matt’s end of the culdesac, his mom struggled with alcoholism and mental illness. His parents fought a lot, but somehow, the dysfunction remained contained behind an image of picture-perfect suburbia. It wasn’t until Matt was about eight-years-old that the dysfunction and chaos finally broke free. (more…)
Partners of alcoholics may be more likely to become alcoholics themselves, although there are many complex factors involved. Due to the likelihood of extreme emotional problems, social isolation, health issues, financial difficulties and more, people with alcoholic spouses or partners may choose to self-medicate with alcohol to cope.
Challenges of Having an Alcoholic Spouse or Partner
Alcoholics often hurt family members and friends that they love by drinking too much, lying to cover it up, exhibiting violent behavior, being emotionally abusive, and more. As a result, life with an alcoholic can be unpredictable, stressful, and physically dangerous, not to mention the mental distress one experiences daily. (more…)
Jody Lamb is a Michigan personal growth author, blogger, and adult child of an alcoholic (ACoA). She has spent the last ten years healing from the trauma and neglect she experienced as a child. Her most recent book, “7 Things That Change Everything” addresses the challenges of living as an ACoA and is designed to give hope to other ACoAs like her. (more…)
In 2017, about 20 million people ages 12 or over had a substance use disorder in the past year and nearly 15 million of these people struggle with alcohol use disorder.1 While addiction takes a heavy toll on the user, leading to serious physical and psychological problems, substance abuse can be just as hard on the loved ones of addicted individuals. (more…)
