26 Apr Interventions in Calgary for an Alcoholic Spouse
Are you concerned that your spouse is drinking too much? According to the Canadian Institute for Health, alcohol was linked to 77,000 hospitalizations in 2015, that’s an average of about 210 a day. And a recent study has revealed that Alberta has higher than average alcohol sales. According to the study, Alberta has the third highest density of alcohol retail outlets in Canada with around 48 stores per 100,000 people.
Alcohol addiction is recognized as the compulsion or lack of restraint to repeatedly drink alcohol despite the negative consequences. The habit of alcohol abuse varies between individuals and can range from binge drinking (more than 5 drinks at a time) and social drinking to drinking alone.
Alcohol Addiction is characterized by:
- The inability to consistently abstain
- The impairment of behavioural control
- Drinking larger amounts than intended
- Hiding or lying about how much you drink
Alcohol is an accepted part of our daily lives, and as such, it is easy for alcohol addiction to slowly build as the body builds a tolerance to higher levels of consumption. People who are social drinkers may not even be aware that they are addicted until they go through a period of abstinence and experience symptoms of withdrawal.
These symptoms include:
- Anxiety or jumpiness
- Shakiness or trembling
- Sweating, nausea and vomiting
- Insomnia, depression and irritability
- Fatigue
- Loss of appetite
- Headache
And even after experiencing these symptoms, they may not directly connect these with the effects of alcohol withdrawal. This may indicate a stage of denial.
It’s difficult to tell when someone has an alcohol problem. High functioning alcoholics can hold down jobs and maintain relationships for years without showing signs of a problem. Functional alcoholics can be hardworking professionals. But if your partner or spouse is drinking every day, there will be long-term psychological, physical, and emotional damage to themselves and their families.
If you recognize the signs of alcohol addiction, it could be time to plan an intervention. An intervention will help convince your partner to accept the fact that their addiction is having a negative impact.
- The goals of an intervention include:
- Supporting the family throughout the intervention
- Getting the alcoholic to admit they have a problem
- Helping the alcoholic accept treatment
During the initial intervention, an alcoholic may become angry, hostile, and manipulative; however, a professional interventionist can prepare the family to respond effectively to these emotional reactions. An interventionist can ensure that emotions are kept in check, and that the language used encourages response instead of triggering defensive mechanisms.
Wherever you are based in Calgary, we can help you plan an intervention. We are on-hand to meet, discuss, and support you and your family throughout this difficult time.
Let’s help you get life back on track, call us today and take the first step towards a better future for you and your family.