Husband Started Using Alcohol…and I’m Worried

Reader’s Question

I am a little concerned about my husband, but I’m also not sure if I may be overreacting.

He has been working in the kitchen of a cabaret/dinner show for approximately 9 months. Every evening after his shift ends, he has a spirit or beer (sometimes both) with his colleagues and maybe a couple of more when he gets home. Even on his day off he drinks beer although seldom to excess. I am not a drinker myself so when at home he drinks alone. We live in a warm country and he claims that local beer is cheaper than a soft drink.

He says he doesn’t need alcohol but he enjoys it. It just worries me that this could be affecting his health. Am I just a paranoid teetotaller?

Our Consulting Clinical Psychologist’s Reply

Not paranoid…just appropriately concerned. It sounds like you may be concerned because this is a change in his behavior. His new job at the cabaret/dinner show is changing his behavior — especially related to alcohol. As his partner, you are appropriately concerned not only for his health, but for other issues that often surface around alcohol. A drink after the show is probably common as are a few drinks at home, especially on his day off. Drinking to excess, drinking while intoxicated, missing work, significant changes in behavior, social problems, health symptoms, etc. would be indicators that his alcohol use may be a problem. Most routine behaviors can become a problem if done to excess. I can’t speak to his health risk as a nonphysician. I’d recommend keeping the communication open — not resentful or upset. He’s not hiding his alcohol use and may have incorporated some alcohol into his lifestyle at this point. Open communication will often help keep our behaviors within healthy limits.

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