Although alcoholism cannot be cured, it can be treated, according to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism. As with other chronic diseases, the level of success varies among individuals. No matter what kinds of problems drinking too much causes, however, one fact is clear: Alcohol abuse affects the entire family, not just the individual who drinks. If a spouse who abuses alcohol refuses to get help, options are available to family members who need support while coping with a loved one's drinking problem.
Step 1
Detach yourself rather than expend your physical and emotional energies on the person abusing alcohol. Refrain from interacting with your spouse when he is drinking, especially arguing or trying to reason with him. The problem isn't your problem. Focus your energies on taking care of yourself instead.
Step 2
Offer to go with your spouse when he attends an Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) meeting (see "Resources"). He may be encouraged by your show of support. Although admitting that he has a problem is the first step toward his recovery, drinking is a problem that he should not have to face alone. You, too, need to acknowledge that his recovery will be an ongoing process. At AA your spouse will receive the support of peers who choose to abstain from alcohol and lead sober lives.
Step 3
Go to Al-Anon meetings where you will learn to identify enabling behaviors and
how to stop them (see "Resources"). Making excuses for your spouse or covering up her drinking does not help. Al-Anon is a free support group offered to families coping with alcoholism. The group's mission is to give comfort to the family and friends of alcoholics. Alateen is another support group for children of alcoholics. Both you and your children must continue to take care of yourselves and accept that you are not responsible for the person's problem with alcohol.
Step 4
Participate in couples' therapy together. While in counseling, you both receive the support you need. Despite the negative consequences, an alcoholic often denies that drinking is a problem even when it gets worse. Counseling helps both partners to understand the alcoholic's patterns of behavior.
Step 5
Take part in your spouse's treatment plan. According to Mayo Clinic, individual and group counseling and therapy may be necessary for the alcoholic to recover from the psychological aspects of alcoholism. Family therapy is often recommended as an integral part of the alcoholic's recovery along with self-help and behavior modification techniques.
