719: ALCOHOL AND INTIMACY
“Alcohol is a perfect solvent. It destroys marriages, families and careers.” —Anonymous
Did you know a study by the University at Buffalo Research Institute on Addictions (RIA) determined a marriage is more likely to end in divorce if one party is a heavy drinker?
Of course, a “heavy drinker” is defined as six or more drinks consumed at one time or drinking until intoxicated. The study established that marriages end in divorce 50 percent of the time, when one spouse drinks heavily.
If this is affecting your marriage, you need to start the conversation around this.
Why? The fact of the matter is this.
According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Administration “Among the 138.5 million people who were current alcohol users, 61.6 million people (or 44.4%) were classified as binge drinkers and 17.7 million people (28.8% of current binge drinkers and 12.8% of current alcohol users) were classified as heavy drinkers (2020 NSDUH)”.
No surprise that multiple studies have found that the last 2.5 years have definitely affected alcohol consumption. One study found alcohol use increased 39% between February and November 2020, according to the follow-up survey. Binge drinking saw an increase of 26% between February and April 2020, with a further increase to 30% between February and November 2020. Studies are still being put together for 2021.
As a depressant, alcohol numbs or soothes one’s feelings. When marriages are under stress, emotionally, financially, sexually, it’s not surprising that one or both partners might look for a way to handle the situation.
If alcohol is affecting The 6 Pillars of Intimacy® in your marriage, then it’s time to talk about it.
There are trained professionals who can assist the two of you with the alcohol use in your marriage.
Don’t sit back and wait for something to happen. Both of you will need to be intentional and take action for things to change.
Alcohol Ruins Relationships and Marriages, Evan Brad Pitt’s
Alcohol, Tobacco, and Other Drugs
Substance and Mental Health Services Administration
800-662-4357 (HELP)
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