What Experiences are Common When Living with an Alcoholic?

Although each person and home situation is unique, experiences living with an alcoholic can be similar. Many people addicted to alcohol display the same behaviors although they live in different homes. Mood changes, lying about drinking, hiding alcohol and passing out from over-drinking are common experiences when living with an alcoholic.

Some alcoholics get louder the more they drink, while others don't, but both types tend to eventually pass out from consuming large amounts of alcohol. This behavior is often troublesome for people living with an alcoholic and may be dangerous for the individual with the alcohol problem. Alcoholics may hurt themselves by falling onto furniture or the floor. Alcoholic smokers who pass out with a lit cigarette could start a fire in the home.

Many people with alcohol problems tend to not eat properly or give up on cooking for themselves. This can place a lot of burden on those living with them. If others don't make the effort to help the alcoholic eat healthy meals, the person can become sicker and even more prone to the unhealthy effects of alcoholism.

Living with an alcoholic can make it difficult to have guests in the home, since he or she may be drunk and display embarrassing behavior. Alcohol, especially in large quantities, tends to impair inhibitions in many people. Some alcoholics get into angry rants, while others slur their words and can't engage in regular conversation. When sober, many alcoholics are reasonable, likable people, but this may change drastically when they're drinking.

For example, alcoholics may make rude or insulting comments when they're drinking without even seeming to consider other people's feelings. Living with an alcoholic can mean a loss of personal space and peace as he or she may think nothing of waking up people in the home with incoherent rants or ramblings. Other times, the alcoholic may just stay in bed most of the day.

Many alcoholics won't admit they have a serious drinking problem. Living with this kind of alcoholic can be especially challenging; he or she may hide bottles of liquor around the home and/or carry small containers of alcohol everywhere. Planning to attend events or appointments with an alcoholic can be frustrating and unpredictable as he or she may be passed out in bed and not want to, or be unable to, go out. Living with an alcoholic may seem like looking after a small child at times, as the individual with a serious drinking problem may not even do his or her laundry, or other basic everyday tasks.