Although serving as a caregiver for an aging in place elderly loved one is highly rewarding, it can also be very emotionally and physically demanding. As a result, some informal caregivers turn to alcohol as a means to self-medicate while dealing with caregiver stress.  But once a family caregiver starts relying on alcohol more and more it can interfere with their ability to provide the care that’s needed. If allowed to progress, alcohol abuse will eventually place the health and wellbeing of both parties at risk. 

Why Do Family Caregivers Abuse Alcohol?

At any given time roughly 10% of all family caregivers battle substance abuse issues and alcohol is usually involved.

These are the most common reasons why informal caregivers abuse alcohol:

  • Fear and anxiety because they don’t feel like they’re doing a good job
  • Stress from feeling overwhelmed by caregiving responsibilities
  • Bitterness towards a sibling or other family member
  • Battling insomnia brought on by worrying
  • Depression as they witness the decline of their loved one
  • Physical pain resulting from a caregiving injury
  • Feeling isolated from the outside world
  • Anger directed towards the care recipient

Furthermore, those who care for seniors with Alzheimer’s or any other form of dementia are at higher risk to develop an alcohol dependency.

Signs of Caregiver Alcohol Dependency 

In most cases, alcohol abuse starts with a glass of wine or a few beers to relax and relieve stress. Within a few weeks or months, one or two drinks turns into four or five. Before they even realize it, the caregiver is frequently drinking alone and more often.

Some of the classic signs of alcohol dependency include:

  • Feeling agitated towards everything and everyone
  • Lethargy and sleepiness that won’t seem to go away
  • Being quick to anger and slow to calm down
  • Weight gain or weight loss that wasn’t intentional
  • Using alcohol as a means to make it through the day
  • Financial problems and an inability to justify expenditures
  • Feeling anxious and depressed most of the time

Alcohol Abuse Prevention Tips for Caregivers 

If you feel that you are becoming dependent on alcohol here are some reliable ways to keep it from getting worse:

Be honest with yourself

While being completely honest with yourself do an inventory of your feelings and behaviors. Are you drinking a lot more than you were a month ago? Can you make it through a day without stopping by the liquor store? Have others noticed your drinking- including your care recipient?

Admitting that you have a substance abuse problem is a big first step. Next, share your concerns with others, like a close friend, religious leader or spouse, and ask for their support.

Find healthy ways to decompress 

Instead of turning to alcohol look for healthier ways to relieve stress, like joining a gym, going to the park or taking a weekend getaway with your partner. Join a caregiver support group or take up a new hobby to keep your mind occupied and don’t wall yourself off from others.

Enroll in a treatment program

Enrolling in an alcohol treatment program doesn’t make you a bad or weak person. There are a lot of good inpatient and outpatient substance abuse centers in your community staffed by highly trained professionals that can help you get your life back on track.

Undergoing counseling with a licensed therapist can also be beneficial, along with joining a 12-step program like Alcoholics Anonymous (AA). Whatever you do, don’t try to go it alone.

Take a caregiving break

While you’re in the process of getting your life back together it might be best to find another caregiver to fill in for a while. Some of the possible sources of relief include trusted family members, community volunteers, close friends or a professional respite caregiver from a licensed home care agency.

Family Trusted In-Home Respite Care for Alabama Seniors 

When you need to take a well-deserved break contact Seniors Prefer Homecare. As a fully licensed home care agency one of our compassionate respite caregivers will step in to ensure that your aging loved one continues to enjoy all the comforts of home. SPH’s highly trained professionals use a unique approach that maintains your senior’s quality of life, along with preserving their dignity, self-esteem and independence.

In addition to respite care, our family trusted services include companionship care, household duties, dementia care, personal care and even live-in and 24-hour care. To learn more about our flexible hours and hourly rates, or to schedule a FREE consultation for a senior in Tuscaloosa or Huntsville, AL, today, please visit Seniors Prefer Homecare at: www.seniorspreferhomecare.com!