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Have your partner's drinking habits become too much?

Your partner's drinking may have become more frequent, excessive, or unpredictable. You're thinking about sharing your concerns, but may not be sure how to.

Person drinking excessively

How will they react?

What should you say?

Recognize The Problem

Many people use alcohol to celebrate, socialize, relax, or enhance the enjoyment of their meals. But your partner's use of alcohol might be verging on dependence or binge drinking.

This can have a wide range of side effects and consequences on their health and well-being.

Here are just two statistics on binge drinking in the U.S. (2019) and examples of potential health impacts of alcohol use from Canada (2015):

A pie chart showing that in 2019, 25.8 percent of people ages 18 and older reported that they had engaged in binge drinking in the past month.

The Chief Public Health Officer's Report on the State of Public Health in  Canada, 2015: Alcohol Consumption in Canada - Canada.ca

Share Your Concern

If their drinking is a problem, you may not be able to change their behavior.

But you may be able to share your concerns in a way that helps them see things more clearly and get the help they need.

Man saying, 'I want to help you out.'

Did you know?

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Get The Facts

Find out as much as you can about the effects of alcohol and signs of alcohol misuse.

Become educated so you have facts to share.

Find The Right Time

Find a time when you're both calm, rested, and not rushed .

You want to be able to speak when you're both clear-headed.

Think About Their Health & Well-Being

  • Focus on how this behavior may be affecting their health.

  • Use an "I statement" to let them know you're concerned about their well-being, and show that you want to help.

  • Ask an open-ended question to invite their opinion.

I'm worried by how much you're drinking. When you binge drink, I worry for your health and safety. How have you been feeling about your drinking lately?

How To Approach Pushback

Your partner might deny there's a problem or become defensive. Signs could include :

  • Blaming their drinking on circumstances or other people

  • Concealing their drinking from you

  • Rationalizing their drinking as reasonable

Stay positive and reassure them that you're looking out for their best interests.

I know this is a difficult issue to talk about. I'm here to support you so that you are happy and healthy.

Take Action

Prepare a plan and stay strong!

Woman telling her partner, 'You can do it.'

License:

This Byte has been authored by

JT

Jasmine Thomas

Instructional Designer and Learning Specialist

English

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