Drinking alcohol can be appealing to men in the United States for a number of reasons. The narrative that men drink alcohol in social situations to feel more comfortable is not necessarily accurate. Drinking alcohol can be a stimulant or a depressant depending on the amount of alcohol and the situation. Drinking alcohol becomes a problem for millions of adults every year. If your husband drinks on a regular basis, you may wonder what the signs of alcoholism are and what you can do to help.
When to Be Concerned About Alcohol Consumption
According to a national survey in 2021 by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), 213.2 million people ages 18 or older reported consuming alcohol at some point in their lifetime. Of those individuals, 106.5 million were men. Men are more likely to suffer from alcoholism than women. It is important to know when consuming alcohol has become a problem. You may feel that your husband has a problem before he does. Some people who suffer from alcohol addiction may not be fully aware of the situation. It would be appropriate to become concerned if your husband is engaging in drinking alcohol on a regular basis or in large amounts.
There are different types of alcoholism, such as binge drinking. If you notice your husband is drinking large amounts of alcohol in short amounts of time, it could be a sign he needs help. Some other signs of alcoholism are not as easily noticed or thought of as being related to the drinking. Some of these signs that could be cause for concern include things like lying or dishonesty, or dangerous activities such as drinking and driving. It would be concerning if your husband is being dishonest about the amount of alcohol he has consumed, as this is a sign of alcoholism. If your husband is showing any signs of alcoholism, Renaissance Ranch can help.
Alcoholism in Men
It is not uncommon for men to ignore the signs of alcoholism or simply not be aware of the problem. Alcohol is a common addictive substance among men but asking for help could feel difficult. There are stereotypes and stigmas that are attached to alcoholism. This can make it difficult for anyone to know what to look out for. Alcoholism can present differently between men and women.
Alcohol in men has effects on the body such as high blood pressure or inflammation of the liver. Some of these effects on the body would be difficult to be aware of if your husband is not yet ready to be open about his struggles. Alcoholism can cause other disorders to occur such as depression. Co-occurring disorders may be easier for you to notice in your spouse.
At Renaissance Ranch, we are able to effectively help men with alcohol addiction. Signs of alcoholism can manifest in many different ways. It is important to know the signs and symptoms and what to look out for. Some signs or symptoms of alcoholism in men include:
- Engaging in risky behavior
- Increased or new depression
- Preoccupation with alcohol
- Lessening social or work activity
These are just some of the signs that could mean your husband is suffering from alcoholism. If you are noticing that your spouse is overusing alcohol, there are steps you can take to help him.
What You Can Do About Signs of Alcoholism in Your Husband
If your husband is struggling with alcoholism, he may not be honest about his struggles right away. Expressing your concerns for his health and well-being is important. A good first step for you could be to start a conversation about your concerns.
It is important to note that he won’t recover if he’s not ready. Having a good support system and a plan in place for him to get the help he needs could be another good first step. Every individual is different, so once your husband has agreed to recovery, he may need detox before treatment at Renaissance Ranch. We are able to provide resources and referrals for detox if that is needed.
Life after detox is going to be different for each individual at one of our facilities. While your husband is receiving help after detox, you can stay involved. Remember it is important to take care of yourself too. Family involvement can actually be quite crucial to his recovery and sobriety.
Men who show signs of alcoholism can sometimes also struggle with other addictions which we can also help with. Getting any additional education on alcoholism and co-occurring disorders could be important for you. We know it can be frightening when your spouse is showing signs of alcoholism. We are here to help you and your husband through the recovery process.
It can be scary when your spouse is showing signs of alcoholism. There are many signs of alcoholism that can present differently among men. Alcoholism has dangerous effects on the mind and body. If your husband is expressing that he doesn’t have a problem with alcohol, yet you feel he does, it could be time to educate yourself and start talking to your spouse about your concerns. We can help educate and support you through the process as well. When your husband is ready for help, we offer referrals for detox if needed, and inpatient or outpatient treatment depending on his specific needs. Please call us at (801) 308-8898 if your husband is showing signs of alcoholism.