Rebuilding Trust: Healing the Wounds Caused by an Alcoholic Spouse
by Blog Contributor | September 18, 2023 | Alcoholism | 0 Comments
Photo by Claudia Wolff on Unsplash
Living with an alcoholic spouse can be incredibly challenging, and one of the most significant casualties of this struggle is rebuilding trust.
Rebuilding trust and taking back your power from an alcoholic spouse can be difficult, as recognizing the signs early on is challenging. Alcoholism often leads to broken promises, deception, and a sense of betrayal, leaving the non-drinking spouse deeply wounded. Rebuilding trust in such circumstances requires effort, understanding, and time. In this blog post, we will explore strategies and insights to help heal the wounds caused by an alcoholic spouse and foster the restoration of trust in the relationship.
Alcohol abuse is such a bizarre addiction that not only affects the individual. Consuming it in alarmingly high amounts can be lethal physically and psychologically. An example of this happening can be found in the book My alcoholic, My Love by Margaret Moschak. It’s an alcoholic spouse book that helps victims rebuild trust after everything they’ve been through.
Steps to Healing Wounds Caused by an Alcoholic Spouse
Alcoholism creates turmoil in someone’s health since it can lead to severe issues like poisoning in your bloodstream. Besides abstaining from the overdose, people must recognize how having an alcoholic partner affects the family. Furthermore, the healing journey is not easy on the victim’s end since they will most likely spend years doing it.
Looking at these steps might be a helpful guide to leaving a toxic alcoholic spouse who didn’t make any effort to get help.
Safety must be ensured first.
If you or anyone else in the household is in immediate danger due to alcoholism, prioritize your safety and consider contacting a helpline or a local support organization for assistance. Alcohol intoxication can be mind-boggling, but it’s better to be safe than sorry. Ensuring your safety is part of the healing journey, so going there is highly recommended.
Seek support.
You don’t have to go through this alone. Reach out to supportive friends, family members, or support groups such as Al-Anon, specifically designed for people affected by someone else’s alcoholism. Sharing your experiences and feelings with others facing similar situations can provide comfort and guidance.
Establish boundaries.
Clearly define and communicate your boundaries with your spouse. This may include setting limits on their drinking, establishing consequences for breaking agreements, and identifying actions that are unacceptable to them. Sticking to these boundaries and being prepared to enforce them if necessary is crucial.
Encourage Treatment.
Encourage your spouse to seek professional help for their alcoholism. Treatment options include therapy, counseling, support groups, or inpatient rehabilitation. Please offer your support and willingness to assist them in finding appropriate resources. Still, ultimately, the decision to seek help lies with your spouse.
Focus On Your Own Well-Being.
Taking care of yourself is vital during this challenging time. Engage in self-care activities, such as exercise, hobbies, or spending time with supportive friends and family. Consider individual therapy or counseling to address your emotional needs and gain tools for coping with the situation.
Rebuilding Trust That Takes Time.
Rebuilding trust takes time and consistent effort. Your spouse must commit to their recovery and positively change their behavior. Open and honest communication is critical. Be willing to express your feelings, concerns, and expectations and be receptive to their efforts to make amends.
Patience and Forgiveness is Crucial.
Healing the wounds caused by an alcoholic spouse is a gradual process. It may involve setbacks and relapses. Practice patience and understand that recovery is not linear. Forgiveness is a personal choice that can take time. Working through your own emotions with the help of a therapist can support this process.
Conclusion
Rebuilding trust in a relationship affected by alcoholism is a complex and challenging process. It requires commitment, patience, and open communication from both partners. Healing and trust can be restored over time by validating emotions, seeking support, setting boundaries, practicing empathy, and prioritizing self-care. Remember that every journey is unique, and the path to rebuilding trust will have ups and downs. With perseverance and dedication, it is possible to rebuild a healthy and trusting relationship even after the wounds caused by alcoholism.
