Coping with someone else’s problem drinking – your feelings
When someone you cares about has an unhealthy relationship with alcohol, their problem often becomes your problem. You may be the one left ‘picking up the pieces’, even though the problems you are dealing with are coming from someone else’s choices and behaviour.
How you might feel
- Ashamed
- Isolated and alone
- Resentful and angry
- Powerless or frustrated
- Depressed
- Sad or upset
- Overwhelmed or stressed
- Guilty
- Frightened
Finding out about ways to support your loved one and care for yourself can help you to feel less alone and more in control
Read more about how living with problem drinking can affect your emotions
There are ways to deal with these feelings and build up your resilience, to help you to cope better. Read more about resilience
Find out more about things you can do to help yourself and Support services for families