From the Guidelines
Drinking in front of a significant other who is a recovering alcoholic can significantly increase their chance of relapse, and it is crucial to avoid consuming alcohol around them to minimize triggers and support their recovery. This is because environmental cues and triggers, such as the sight and smell of alcohol, can stimulate cravings and make maintaining sobriety more difficult for the person in recovery 1. The brain of someone with alcohol use disorder has formed strong associations between social situations, visual cues of alcohol, and the act of drinking, which can activate reward pathways even after long periods of abstinence.
Some key considerations for supporting a recovering alcoholic partner include:
- Removing alcohol from the home to eliminate constant reminders and triggers
- Choosing alcohol-free activities when together to reduce exposure to alcohol-related cues
- Being mindful of situations where alcohol is present, such as social gatherings or events, and planning strategies to avoid or manage these situations
- Considering abstaining from alcohol as well, at least temporarily, to create a safer environment for the person in recovery, as suggested by many recovery professionals and support groups like Alcoholics Anonymous.
It is essential to prioritize the recovering individual's needs and create an environment that supports their sobriety, as relapse can have severe consequences, including decreased patient survival, as noted in the context of liver transplantation and alcoholic liver disease 1. By taking these steps, you can significantly improve your partner's chances of maintaining long-term sobriety and support their overall well-being.
From the Research
Relapse Prevention in Recovering Alcoholics
- The provided studies do not directly address the question of whether drinking in front of a significant other who is a recovering alcoholic increases the chance of relapse 2, 3, 4, 5, 6.
- However, the studies suggest that various medications such as disulfiram, naltrexone, and acamprosate can be effective in reducing craving and relapse in alcohol-dependent patients 2, 3, 4, 5, 6.
- Additionally, the studies highlight the importance of considering comorbid psychiatric disorders, such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and depression, when treating alcohol use disorder 4, 5, 6.
Social Factors and Relapse
- While the provided studies do not specifically examine the impact of drinking in front of a significant other on relapse, they do suggest that social factors can play a role in alcohol use outcomes 4, 5, 6.
- For example, the study by 4 found that individuals with PTSD had better alcohol outcomes when treated with active medication, suggesting that social support and therapeutic relationships may be important factors in relapse prevention.
- However, more research is needed to fully understand the impact of social factors, including drinking in front of a significant other, on relapse in recovering alcoholics.