How to Deal With an Abusive Alcoholic

Dealing with an abusive alcoholic can be difficult, especially if you live with that person. You can remove yourself from the situation, find ways to deal with your emotions and understand how an alcoholic's mind works. Alcoholics can be undependable and unpredictable, so learn how to cope if you have one in your life.

Instructions

1. It is not your fault that the person is an alcoholic or that he is abusive toward you. He is the person making the decision to be the way he is and not to seek help for his problem.

2. Work with your emotions. Write down how you feel in a journal or online diary. Find someone you can talk to, such as a close friend or a counselor.

3. Do activities to get your mind off the situation when you can. Pick up a hobby, take a walk or read a book, for example.

4. Discuss how her behavior hurts you and makes you feel when she is sober. This may or may not work, but an alcoholic will be more likely to listen when sober. Alcohol impairs logical thinking and judgment.

5. Look for opportunities to escape the situation if things don't get better, especially if the alcoholic is abusing you physically. You shouldn't have to remain in an abusive situation forever. Simply leave and go to a public place if you have nowhere else to go.

Tips & Warnings

• If you live with the abusive alcoholic and he refuses to get help, do what you can to get out of the situation permanently. Keep yourself and any children that you may have safe.

• Don't try to argue with an abusive alcoholic. It is likely that she won't be rational or remember the argument when she sobers up.

• Don't depend on an alcoholic. You never know when he will decide to get drunk and forgo prior commitments or dismiss previous promises made to you.