If you’re asking, “Is my husband an alcoholic?”, you’re not alone. Many spouses witness years of casual drinking before realizing it may have crossed the line into alcohol use disorder. Recognizing the signs of alcoholism is the first step in helping your partner—and your family—start healing. At Origins Recovery Center, we provide medically supervised detox, residential care, and dual diagnosis treatment tailored to men struggling with alcohol dependence.

Five Signs Your Husband Might Be an Alcoholic

There are numerous signs that your husband needs treatment for his drinking. They appear in his behavior, in how he looks, and in what consequences he’s facing. You may recognize some or all of the following five signs of an alcohol use disorder that shouldn’t be ignored.

1. He’s ignoring responsibilities at home or work because of drinking. Your husband may overlook duties he used to take care of as his drinking worsens. He might take “sick” days at work after nights of heavy drinking. You may see these signs as changes in your environment (when something needs to be fixed or routine maintenance gets ignored).
2. He’s unsuccessfully tried to quit drinking several times. His attempts to stop drinking result in a quick return to repurchasing alcohol. He may feel unable to endure the withdrawal symptoms that start hours after his last drink. The withdrawal symptoms may appear even when he’s just cutting back on how much he’s drinking.
3. He’s made high-risk choices while drinking. You may observe a pattern of behavior where he puts himself in risky situations while drinking or drunk. Getting behind the wheel is a primary example. Using electric tools or machinery while intoxicated is another red flag. Any choice that threatens his health and safety should be taken seriously.
4. His physical health has been affected by drinking. He may have injured himself while under the influence of alcohol. The outcome could be a decline in his general health from decreased immunity, digestive problems, or alcohol poisoning. Mental health changes can also be connected here as signs of depression, anxiety, or trauma are revealed.
5. He’s aware of the problems related to his drinking and yet continues to do it. He may acknowledge the problems connected to his drinking and still not stop. Moving past denial of a drinking problem doesn’t mean he’s ready to accept responsibility, though. He may feel unwilling to do the work necessary to start healing from his addiction. He may feel the stigma of being unable to handle his alcohol. Also, if he’s living with a co-occurring mental health disorder, he may be reluctant to admit there’s a problem and seek treatment.

Living with an alcoholic husband can create a lot of stress for a spouse and the whole family. So much of his life is connected to his drinking, which may lead to him ignoring responsibilities and becoming erratic. Even recognizing his alcohol use disorder doesn’t mean he’s ready to start treatment.

Helping him get on the road to recovery through active support is important. At Origins Texas, we offer a men’s residential program with a medical detox and dual diagnosis treatment for co-occurring mental health disorders.

What It’s Like Living With an Alcoholic Husband

Living with an alcoholic husband is shaped by his daily drinking. It may come from the amount he drinks or the time he spends hungover after drinking. Alcohol may be present at every meal, every social gathering, and every special occasion. He may retreat to a place out of sight to drink alone. A significant amount of money every month is spent on beer or liquor, and it may be causing some financial troubles.

Money problems aren’t the only issue you may be dealing with related to his drinking. Stress in your relationship may be high, and feelings of jealousy and domestic violence may occur. Home life might be chaotic and unpredictable, negatively impacting your health and well-being.

Where to Find Support for You and Your Children

Finding support for your husband and your family is critical at this point. He will need a safe medical detox, so he’s not risking the threat of experiencing withdrawal symptoms at home. He may need dual diagnosis treatment for the alcohol use disorder and a co-occurring mental health disorder. Also, he’ll need a plan for continuing care after the residential treatment program ends.

A focus on the entire family’s well-being is important, too. In addition to offering the services mentioned above, Origins Texas provides family therapy. These sessions allow each family member to share how their husband’s drinking has affected them.

Collectively, the family can learn how to communicate effectively, support the loved one in recovery, and set healthy boundaries in their relationship with him and everyone in the family.

The First Step Is Connecting With Professional Help

If you believe your husband may be an alcoholic, early intervention can change the course of his life—and yours. Contact us to discuss treatment options. At Origins Recovery Center, we offer a comprehensive treatment program for men that includes medical detox, residential rehab, and dual diagnosis support. Our mission is to help families heal through compassionate, clinically excellent care.

*This article is intended solely for informational purposes and should not be regarded as a replacement for professional medical advice. While the content has undergone Origin Texas Recovery’s thorough editorial review process, it may not necessarily represent the opinions, policies, or procedures of our facility or staff. We strive to ensure that our content is medically accurate; however, treatments evolve, and we cannot guarantee the current accuracy or reliability of the information provided. For medical emergencies, call 9-1-1 immediately.