Whether you’ve been married for a year or 50 years, you know your wife best. After all, you spend enough time together that you’ve likely picked up on her habits by now. Just as you may know how she likes her coffee or whether or not she’s a morning person, you have also noticed some more upsetting habits. The realization that your wife’s drinking has crossed the line into a problem is a situation that you might not have ever imagined you’d have to face. Or, you might have always known that she tended to overindulge, but it seems to be having more of an impact on your life together now. In either case, confronting your spouse about their drinking problem is intimidating. You might worry that saying something will just make her angry, yet you could also be very aware that this can’t continue. Asking how to help my wife to stop drinking so much is a sign that you need help, and you’ll find all of the compassionate care that you need at an alcohol addiction treatment program.
If you’re still on the fence about whether or not your wife has an alcohol problem, then it might help to ask yourself the following questions.
- Does your wife tend to drink more than she plans to?
- Has she experienced blackouts or memory loss after drinking binges?
- Have you ever found hidden bottles of alcohol?
- Has your wife been arrested for driving while intoxicated?
- Have others noticed her problem drinking?
- Is she struggling to manage her normal responsibilities?
People who have trouble controlling their drinking may also engage in efforts to regain control. For instance, your wife might try switching to a beverage that she finds less tasty in an effort to reduce how much she drinks. Or, she may say that she’ll only drink on the weekends, but this leads to major binges or slip ups during the week.
Offer Support With Finding and Attending a Treatment Program
There are several ways to bring up the topic of going to an addiction treatment program. If you haven’t talked to your wife about her drinking at all, then you might want to ask some open-ended questions to see how she feels about it. You might ask her if she’s noticed any changes in her drinking habits, or you could use a movie as a springboard for the topic. Try to remember to keep your questions and responses supportive. Don’t place blame on her or attempt to make her feel guilty. Many people with alcohol problems already place a high level of blame on themselves, and keeping things light will make it more likely that she’ll open up.
Your other option is to host an intervention. With this option, you’ll have some of her closest loved ones gather to talk to her about the impact that her excessive alcohol consumption is having on everyone’s lives. This method can sometimes be more confrontational, but it can be effective and stay calm if you know how to do it right. Many rehab centers offer assistance with planning interventions that can make it easier for you to talk to your wife.
Getting your wife talking is only the first part of making sure that she gets help. She may be so overwhelmed by her troubles right now that she doesn’t even know where to begin with finding a treatment program. You can jumpstart her recovery by having a few ideas already in mind. You might also want to take the initiative to plan for how you’ll handle any potential challenges that she might bring up. Having a plan in place for child care or taking time off of work can relieve your wife of any burdens that she may feel regarding seeking treatment. As a final note, be ready to help her out even after she goes to rehab. Many rehab programs recommend that spouses attend family therapy sessions, and letting her know that you’ll be right there by her side gives her confidence that you’ll be able to work on this together. While it will take some time, your wife can regain control over her drinking and improve your marriage by choosing to stay sober.
Are you ready to help your wife see the importance of quitting her excessive drinking? We’ve got resources that can help you talk to your wife and get her to agree to go to treatment. Give us a call today at 844-844-3463 to get connected to someone who cares.