Does My Husband Need Rehab If He Is Hiding Alcohol?

Some warning signs of an alcohol addiction are obvious. Take, for example, frequently seeing a friend or family member heavily intoxicated or drinking heavily on a regular basis. But what about so-called hidden signs of a drinking problem that, by their very nature, aren’t so easy to spot? A husband hiding alcohol bottles or drinking, for example, can be a major red flag that their spouse should take seriously. When these red flags become apparent, it’s important to step in and try to address the problem. But what can someone do in this situation? Let’s explore what’s really going on when someone is hiding alcohol — and how you can respond in the best, most productive way.

Why Do Alcoholics Hide Their Drinking?

While hidden or secret drinking doesn’t automatically mean someone is addicted to alcohol, it certainly can be a troubling sign of problematic behaviors that need professional help. According to the UK-based Priory Group, there are some common indicators that someone might be attempting to hide their drinking, including: 

• Heavy drinking while alone.
• Frequently drinking until passing out.
• Lying about or trying to hide how often or much they drink.
• Missing events and not meeting obligations at home, work, or school because of their drinking.
• Drinking immediately after waking up.
• Suffering strong cravings for alcohol.
• Self-medicating by drinking. 

Just like the potential signs your spouse is using drugs, a husband hiding alcohol should be taken as a warning that they have a problematic relationship with alcohol — and they could very likely need professional help, including therapy and addiction treatment, to have the best chance at putting an alcohol addiction behind them.

 

What Do Alcoholics Fear the Most?

If someone is addicted to alcohol, they could start to suffer from things far beyond the grave toll this addiction is taking on their physical health, such as liver disease and increased cancer risks. Often, a husband hiding alcohol will be racked by powerful emotions and feelings, possibly even fear about their past, present, and future. Alcoholics Anonymous says there are many things people with an addiction to alcohol might fear, such as: 

• Life won’t be fun or enjoyable anymore if they quit drinking.
• Maintaining sobriety will be too hard.
• Fear of the unknown.
• Concerns about their finances, careers, or relationships.
• Suffering from poor health or even death.
• Losing friends or loved ones.

Because overcoming addiction would indeed require them to make major changes to their lives, including how they attempt to cope with future stresses and challenges, the future might seem scary or unknown. They might feel like their identity is completely tied to alcohol, and they simply have a hard time imagining who and what they would be if they were to quit drinking. 

While fear of the unknown and major change is natural, these fears can make people feel unable to actually reach out for help and begin the addiction recovery process. In cases like this, the compassionate, understanding support and encouragement of friends and loved ones can be an especially powerful tool to help someone overcome fear and take the first step toward a better future.

 

 

How Does Alcohol Destroy Relationships?

A husband hiding alcohol or a partner concealing the extent of their drinking problem is naturally going to affect more than that person — their loved ones will suffer, too. If you’re wondering if alcohol destroys relationships, that’s certainly possible, especially if no changes are made to address the alcohol addiction and underlying reasons why someone turned to alcohol in the first place. Alcohol can affect relationships in so many ways, according to Marriage.com, including:

• Creating a sense of distance: It can be difficult or even impossible to maintain emotional intimacy with someone who excessively drinks.

• Lack of communication: Communication is a major necessity in healthy relationships, so it makes sense that someone hiding their true behaviors and problems can make it very hard to maintain clear lines of communication.

• Arguments: When someone drinks heavily, their inhibitions are lowered, and judgment is impaired — and this can make arguments, outbursts, and self-destructive behaviors much more common.

• Lack of trust: How can a loved one trust their spouse or partner if they break promises, lie, or act erratically?

• Abuse: Abusive behavior isn’t a direct result of alcohol addiction, but the effects of this drug on someone’s aggression, judgment, and inhibitions mean emotional or physical abuse is more likely when someone is drinking too much.

 

What Are the Telltale Signs of an Alcoholic Person?

Alcohol use disorder, the clinical name for alcohol addiction, can cause a wide variety of effects, and the signs and symptoms of this problem can vary from person to person. A husband hiding alcohol might point to the condition, for example, but it could display very different red flags in another person. There are also signs you may be married to a so-called functional alcoholic, which may overlap with the signs of addiction in general. Here are some common possible signs of alcohol addiction, according to the Mayo Clinic: 

• Wanting to reduce how much you drink but not being able to.
• Experiencing strong cravings to drink.
• Not meeting responsibilities and obligations at home or work.
• Drinking even though you know it’s affecting you and causing problems.
• Isolating or no longer enjoying things and hobbies you once enjoyed.
• Drinking even when it’s not safe (driving, for example).
• Withdrawal symptoms if you don’t drink, or drinking to avoid the symptoms.

 

WhiteSands Treatment Can Help If Your Husband Is Hiding Alcohol

Whether it’s a husband hiding alcohol or a friend or loved one showing some of the possible signs of alcohol addiction, it’s important to realize that you’re not alone — and that effective, compassionate help is available. Top drug and alcohol addiction rehabs like WhiteSands Treatment in Florida can help you understand how to support a spouse through addiction recovery and determine what treatment, therapy, and assistance they need to have the best chance at achieving lasting recovery from alcohol addiction. Our treatment programs are designed to help meet people exactly where they are — and provide the right mix of help and encouragement that they individually need to leave alcohol in the past. Don’t ignore signs of trouble. Instead, call us today at 877-855-3470. We’re here to help you and your loved one get through this together.

 

External Sources

• Priory Group — Spotting the Signs of Secret Drinking
• Alcoholics Anonymous Cleveland — Fear in Recovery
• Marriage.com — 10 Reasons Why Alcohol Ruins Relationships
• Mayo Clinic — Alcohol Use Disorder Symptoms and Causes

 

If you or a loved one needs help with abuse and/or treatment, please call the WhiteSands Treatment at (877) 855-3470. Our addiction specialists can assess your recovery needs and help you get the addiction treatment that provides the best chance for your long-term recovery.