Managing any type of relationship is difficult because they can come with heartbreak, miscommunication, and fights. Relationships are even more difficult if the other party is an alcoholic.
Generally speaking, the only way that a relationship with an alcoholic can succeed is if the alcoholic and you receive needed treatment. Until the alcoholic begins the journey of recovery, the relationship will not be healthy.
That does not mean that relationships are doomed if you or the other person is an alcoholic. It simply means that each individual must focus on themselves and better themselves to overcome the alcoholism before repairing their relationship.
Can You Have a Successful Relationship with an Alcoholic?
Relationships with an alcoholic can be successful if treatment is sought and recovery begins. If the alcoholic does not receive treatment and continues their addiction to alcohol, very rarely will the relationship succeed.
Challenges of Being in a Relationship with an Alcoholic
There are many challenges of being in a relationship with an alcoholic. Often, these relationships create toxic environments for all parties involved.
On the one hand, the alcoholic often lies or causes financial problems due to their addiction. In some cases, alcoholics can be outright abusive, both verbally and physically. While your partner is still addicted to alcohol, alcohol will be their main priority. As a result, the other party is often walked all over, manipulated, and abused.
On the other hand, the other party in the relationship has unique challenges as well. Enabling commonly occurs within relationships where one of the parties is an addict. Enabling can include providing financial means to buy alcohol or lying for the individual. Even if this enabling is meant with good intentions, it hurts the addict in the long run.
Because of these challenges, being in a relationship with an alcoholic is often not healthy for either party. This explains why recovery is necessary to have a successful relationship with an alcoholic. If the alcoholic does not get the help they need, their relationship will not be healthy and fruitful.
Help Your Loved One by Encouraging Treatment
Just because your partner is an alcoholic does not mean you immediately have to break things off. Instead, it’s best to encourage your loved one to seek treatment and to seek treatment yourself. You can encourage your loved one to seek treatment by giving a heartfelt explanation about how much you love the individual and how you are being affected by their alcoholism.
If your loved one does not seek treatment right away, continue encouraging treatment, but do not enable their behavior in the meantime. Likewise, it’s a good idea to seek treatment yourself so you can learn how to avoid enabling your loved one during this time.
Ending a Relationship with an Alcoholic
Unfortunately, some relationships need to be ended. Ending a relationship with an alcoholic does not mean you fail to love them. It simply means that you love them and yourself enough to not put either party at risk. When is it time to end the relationship?
If you are being emotionally or physically abused, it is imperative to end the relationship. Likewise, you must end the relationship if your boundaries are not being met and your limits are being pushed.
Get Help with Hillcrest Recovery
If your loved one is suffering from addiction, get them the help they need with Hillcrest Recovery. Hillcrest Recovery is a top-rated drug rehab facility in San Fernando Valley. With Hillcrest Recovery, you and your loved one can begin rebuilding their relationship after alcoholism.