The effects of alcoholism in a marriage are dramatic and damaging. The mental state and physical well being of the abuser aside, there are significant effects on marriages. The members of the family affected undergo psychological and health trauma accruing from alcohol abuse by either spouse. For instance the sober spouse undergoes a psychological transition from being caring and giving to being addicted to caring for the alcohol abusing partner. It is the nature of all addicts to be liars, making cover ups, committing lies of omission, creating excuses, denial of their habit and blaming others for their addiction. The cause effect trend of this scenario complicates the children’s social and academic lives therefore further propagating household misery and tension. Marital distress results where marital trouble for instance dispute and quarreling are the order of the day. Lack of or aggressive communication leads to disruption warmth and unity in a marriage thus bottled up feelings of anger and tension in the relationships.
An alcoholic spouse’s attention will often get distracted from their day to day roles and tasks. The effect is dissatisfaction and resentment on the part of the other spouse and family members. The time spent away drinking or in a stupor is usually time away from domestic roles that go unfulfilled. The most apparent of these duties are parenting duties and husbandly roles, thus this affects the entire household.
Due to reduced judgment levels alcohol especially when consumed away from home makes either spouse vulnerable to unfaithfulness. Not only does this lead to detachment and guilt on the part of the cheat but also exposes the other spouse to sexually transmitted diseases. This health implication and the emotional hurt experienced on discoveries leads to outright failure of a marriage.
The adverse physiological effects of alcoholism for instance tremors and blackouts disrupt the drinker’s