Spouse Support: Prior experience caring for Veterans has been key in providing support for them during the pandemic, say partners.
Alcohol use disorder, or Alcoholism, is known in medical circles as a ‘family disease.’ That is, spouses and family members will always experience the effect of each drinker’s alcoholism. Even during pre-pandemic times, caring for someone with and alcohol or substance addiction was challenging enough, but as the pandemic hit, these addictions were magnified due to a host of extenuating factors which also limited treatment options for some people.
One particular group, however, appears to have fared better during the pandemic when it came to supporting those with addiction: the spouses of military veterans. On balance At first glance, this would appear to be contradictory. Many studies have found that veterans are more likely to use alcohol than their non-veteran counterparts – a rate of 56.6% as compared to 50.8% for non-veterans, possibly as a result of PTSD from being in high-stress combat environments in the past. However, a recent survey of 2,500 respondents by VeteranAddiction.org, a provider of addiction treatment resources for veterans and their loved ones, revealed that more than 1 in 3 partners of veterans with addiction issues say they felt better prepared during the pandemic to manage their behavior, as compared to non-military spouses or families.
**Survey of 3,000 respondents; July 2021
Combat veterans who have PTSD and alcohol use problems also tend to binge drink frequently (consuming 4 – 5 drinks or more within a short space of time), which could be a significant indicator for families and loved ones of addiction or relapse. For spouses that are aware of these signs, they may have been able to identify any issues that arose during the pandemic, such as withdrawal from family life and lack of focus and agitation on top of feelings brought on by the stress of the pandemic itself.
Although veterans with PTSD are more vulnerable when it comes to substance use during this time, their support structure may be familiar with how to handle these issues effectively as well as how to proceed with seeking help and treatment.
VeteranAddiction.org has provided the following advice for spouses and family members of those with an alcohol use disorder:
Supporting a spouse who has an alcohol use disorder:
When something changes in your spouse’s personality or behavior, chances are you, as their significant other, are able to pick up on these changes more quickly than others. It can be easy, however, to dismiss, ignore or rationalize signs of your partner’s drinking problem due to factors like fear, or worrying about how to bring it up. Getting the necessary help for your spouse can save your relationship, as well as the well-being of the rest of the family, and in severe cases, it could save their life.
Reassure them that you will support them
Alcohol use disorders can feel isolating and lonely due to social stigmas as well as the negative impact on your spouse’s mental health. Non-judgmentally reassuring them that you’re there through thick and thin can be the emotional support they need most.
Encourage treatment
It’s important to remember that they might not agree to accept help the first time you bring up the subject, or possibly even the second or third time. Denial is a strong emotion, but hopefully your message will sink in. Remind your spouse that alcohol use disorder is a disease that gets better with the right treatment.
Decide which treatment method works best for your spouse and family
Treatment for alcohol use disorder requires medical detox because alcohol withdrawal can be fatal. While making plans for treatment, you could discuss together what type of rehabilitation program you think would work best. Different options include inpatient/residential rehabilitation, partial hospitalization or outpatient programs. Ultimately, the choice will depend on factors like time availability, severity of the disorder and your partner’s overall needs.