Alcohol use rarely starts out as an addiction. Use of alcohol mostly starts out on an experimental basis. You might go on to drink socially, to destress or to take the edge off at or during at the end of your workday, at celebrations or for a variety of different reasons. This kind of drinking might not be problematic. It is when you binge drink, or drink as a coping mechanism, or drink to forget something, that you start on the road to alcohol addiction.

The relationships that get affected by alcohol addiction or excessive consumption include:

Partners

This can include spouses, girlfriend, boyfriend, or other intimate relationships. Studies show that alcohol intake can increase conflict and therefore lead to other problems. This can include increase in arguments, infidelity, domestic violence, loss of sex drive, sexual problems, financial problems and so on.

Children

An adult drinking around a child can negatively impact their emotional wellbeing. Children of people with alcohol addiction can have an increased risk of developing behavioural and emotional problems. They might be confused, anxious, depressed, and might even carry an element of self-blame and guilt. They might go on to experience alcohol problems in their own life.

Friends and Family

People who suffer from alcohol addiction often have a higher rate of conflict with friends and family members. They might even break ties or distance themselves from them. This can include parents, grand-parents, siblings, extended family, friends, and acquaintances. It can lead to financial problems and social isolation. And can also impact the mental health of the loved ones.

Employment

Profession relationships with employers, clients, and colleagues can suffer. This can be caused by an increase in conflict and due to absenteeism, poor quality of work, lack of concentration, missing appointments, difficulty in getting or holding on to a job, etc. This can also lead to financial troubles.

Social

Relationships with people providing a service, or members of the public who might be innocent bystanders can also suffer. This can include anyone providing a service like the GP, nurse, cleaner, bus driver, cleaner, waiter, bartender or other. An elevated emotional state under the influence of alcohol can also find conflict more easily with members of the public. It can make accessing care, help, or a service much more difficult.

I work with you to help you understand your relationship with alcohol and how the addiction happened. We then work through changing the relationship with alcohol which inevitably leads to better and happier personal and professional relationships.