According to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, around 29 million people struggled with an alcohol use disorder in the US in 2023. This staggering statistic showcases just how prominent alcohol addiction is. Unfortunately, alcohol addiction doesn’t just hurt the alcoholic, but it also harms relationships with family members and friends. In this article, you’ll learn more about how to deal with living with an alcoholic so you can support your loved one, without harming your own health and quality of life.
At Outpatient LA, we are a leading outpatient drug rehab that helps patients safely overcome addiction and heal their physical, mental, and spiritual wellness for the better. No two recovery journeys are ever the same. That’s why we provide a comprehensive range of outpatient addiction treatment options so you can receive the individualized care that best meets your recovery needs. Contact us today to learn more about how we can support your recovery journey.
6 Ways to Deal with Living With An Alcoholic
When living with an alcoholic, it can be difficult to set healthy boundaries, while also being a supportive family member or friend. Keep reading to learn how to deal with living with an alcoholic so you can support your loved one, without compromising your own well-being.
1. Set Clear Boundaries
First, as mentioned above, it’s critical to set clear, healthy boundaries when you are living with an alcoholic. This can look like both “smaller” boundaries like sharing responsibilities with cleaning the home/apartment, to “larger” boundaries such as if they are not contributing to pay rent because they spend all their money fueling their addiction, you set the boundary that they cannot live with you if they do not contribute to the home.
2. Educate Yourself About Alcoholism
Next, it’s also important for you to educate yourself about alcoholism so you can learn what addiction is, and what addiction is not. Addiction is a complex brain disorder; therefore, you should not feel responsible for making someone get sober. Rather, you can help support that friend or family member who is an alcoholic to seek professional treatment to get sober.
3. Support But Don’t Enable Behavior
Similar to setting boundaries, it’s important to recognize the difference between supporting someone vs enabling their behavior. If you are living with an alcoholic, it can be sometimes be easy to enable their behavior, especially if you don’t set boundaries regarding them contributing to paying their fair share of the rent and contributing to responsibilities/chores around the house.
4. Encourage Open and Honest Communication
Rather than growing resentment for the individual struggling with alcohol addiction, it’s important to try and encourage open and honest communication. It’s important to communicate, regardless of if you are living with an alcoholic or not, so they understand your boundaries and if they cross them you can work toward resolving them rather than letting them take advantage of you and your living space.
5. Prioritize Self-Care & Healthy Lifestyle Habits
It can be difficult living with an alcoholic; therefore, don’t forget to prioritize self-care and healthy lifestyle habits to maintain your own physical and mental health and well-being. This may look like ensuring you get plenty of quality sleep each night to journaling, consistently exercising, and more.
6. Don’t Be Afraid to Ask for Help
Finally, don’t be afraid to ask for help. While this is easier said than done and may vary depending on your living situation, if you have a family member living with you that is an alcoholic, consider asking for help from other trusted family members or reaching out to a local rehab facility who can offer support.
Help Is Available
Now you know more about the question “how to deal with living with an alcoholic”. From setting clear and healthy boundaries to not enabling behavior, there are several ways you can deal with living with an alcoholic to be a supportive friend or family member, without enabling their behavior. If you or someone you know is struggling with drug addiction, it’s critical to seek professional help to safely and effectively break free from addiction.
Our experienced team of addiction specialists are here to help you progress along your recovery journey. At Outpatient LA, we provide a wide range of outpatient treatment options to ensure you receive the best possible care to support your unique recovery needs. You should never feel too ashamed or afraid to ask for help in leading a healthier, happier life. Contact us today to learn more about how we can support your road to recovery.