Does your spouse show signs of alcoholism? In other words, does your spouse need more and more alcohol to feel "buzzed" or intoxicated? Here are 5 common signs of alcoholism addiction:
Does he/she drink to relax? Does your alcoholic spouse get defensive if you bring up drinking? Has your spouse tried to quit alcohol and failed? Does your spouse suffer alcohol withdrawal if he/she tries to quit drinking? Does your spouse have trouble with marriage relationships, problems with parenting, and possibly work?
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Here is a typical case from my psychiatry practice:
S.L is a 35 year old man. He comes to me for problems with anxiety and depression. He is a successful lawyer. However, he complains of experiencing panic symptoms when he presents in front of a jury. His anxiety is interfering with his career and he wants medication for this. Although I prescribed medication, he did not have a robust response and here is the reason why. His wife called me one day and told me her husband has been drinking every night for 2 years. Initially, he drank a beer to relax after work. This number has increased over time to 6-8 beers in the evening. S.L is alcohol dependent. Alcohol is counteracting his medication. His alcohol dependence must be addressed.
How serious is his alcohol problem, anyway? There are 4 stages of alcoholism addiction.
Early Stage: The typical early stage starts out as drinking to unwind. Drinking becomes an escape and is used to boost mood or relieve stress. S. L. is drinking to relax to "forget his troubles".
Middle Stage: The middle stage is defined as needing to drink more and more to get the same "buzz". Your alcoholic spouse will not admit a drinking problem to you, but he/she has thought about it a lot. His/her brain is alcohol dependent. In other words, alcohol withdrawal symptoms such as insomnia and shakiness occurs if he/she tries to quit drinking. Black outs and hangovers are common. S.L fits into this category.
Late Stage: This stage is very serious. Your alcoholic spouse has become obsessed with drinking alcohol. Nothing else matters. Often your alcoholic husband or alcoholic wife will become malnourished (vitamin B1 deficiency). Liver problems, pancreas problems, anemia and neurological problems may occur. Legal problems are common. Marital stress is a given. At this point, your alcoholic spouse has withdrawn and spends his/her time both drinking and seeking alcohol. A medical professional needs to be involved in "detoxing" your alcoholic spouse or he/she could die going through alcohol withdrawal.
Alcoholism is a chronic, progressive disease. Early intervention is very important. In the late stages of alcoholism addiction, the brain has become so alcohol dependent, it will be much tougher for your alcoholic spouse to overcome the brains' alcohol cravings. Going to Al-Anon is a great first step for you to get some support and tools to deal with this family disease. Do not procrastinate. The longer you wait, the tougher the recovery for your alcoholic spouse.
Alcoholic Spouses - How Serious is Their Alcohol Problem Anyway? ALCOHOLIC
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