Alcohol and relationships leaflet: how alcohol can affect us

We surveyed 5,123 U.S. adults from Feb. 24 to March 2, 2025, including 3,494 who are ages 21 and older and drink alcohol. Alcohol and personal health have been in the news lately amid a U.S. surgeon general advisory that even moderate drinking increases cancer risk. “However, the most harrowing effects on the liver take place Substance abuse long term when an individual maintains an unhealthy relationship with alcohol. Drinking can not only take away the time and desire for sex, but it can also lead tosexual dysfunction.

Dying For A Drink: ‘How Booze Ruined My Life’

For example, if you’ve forgotten important dates due to drinking or canceled plans from a severe hangover, your drinking may be causing relationship problems. They may lie to their partner or family about where they are, who they spend their time with and what they did during the day. As the addiction progresses, they may devise more elaborate excuses to hide their drinking problems. A friend or partner may constantly hear reasons for being late, disappearing or mood swings.

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Constant dishonesty can lead to sadness and resentment between partners. But there are ways you can recognize when alcohol might be negatively affecting your relationships — and when it may be time to get help. For more information on the adverse effects of alcohol on a person’s health, watch this informative video. Abuse of alcohol may weaken trust between partners, which is a fundamental basis in every relationship but can be detrimental to such relationships. “While under the effects of alcohol, our body’s ability to fight off infection becomes inhibited, with the production of white blood cells reduced,” explains Dr Grant. Over time, this can lead to serious health issues like heart failure, high blood pressure, stroke, and cardiomyopathy – a disease of the heart muscle.

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It can also lead to an increase in anxiety and a decrease in self-esteem, leading to more arguments and hurt feelings. Finally, alcohol can lead to irrational and dangerous behavior, such as driving under the influence, which can have devastating consequences for relationships. The physical effects of alcohol on relationships can be wide-ranging and serious. Alcohol can impair judgement, increase aggression, and reduce impulse control, all of which can lead to physical altercations. Further, how does alcohol affect relationships alcohol use can lead to an increased risk of sexually transmitted diseases, unwanted pregnancies, and increased risk of sexual assault. In addition, alcohol can also lead to a decrease in communication between partners, decreased physical intimacy, and reduced problem solving skills.

For Treatment Providers

• Therefore, one of the best ways to prevent alcohol from altering your relationships is to recognize the beginning signs and stages of addiction.
• Relationship breakdowns happen for many reasons, and alcohol abuse is often a major factor.
• Alcohol can impair cognitive functioning and inhibit effective communication in a relationship.
• Heavy drinking affects the mind and body, and the one struggling is often the last to recognize the damage’s extent.

Some people blame their actions on alcohol, but using alcohol as a scapegoat absolves the abuser of responsibility. Alcohol-induced conflicts harm relationships—and they can escalate into more seriously concerning behavior. Recovery.com uses a standard procedure to make sure treatment provider profiles on our site are current and complete. Keeping a distance will also prevent your loved one from influencing you to allow the addiction to continue or crossing boundaries.