Does Their Alcoholism Effect Our Physical Health?
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Apr 2014
Location: Nowhere, VA
Posts: 540
Does Their Alcoholism Effect Our Physical Health?
Does anyone know if there is anything to be said about the stress of living with their A and what that has done to your own health? Just curious.
Guest
Join Date: Dec 2004
Posts: 2,281
How big can I make this YES! 
Mentally, physically, spiritually. I have a lot of health issues that I can see now goes back to when I was a teenager. Our kids have the same issues and the earlier they start in addressing them, the quicker the body can recover. In some ways now, I'm thankful the stress of his alcoholism broke my body down faster and earlier, otherwise I'd have had general problems all my life and not known what was going on. Instead, I fought harder and kept looking for answers for myself.
That's a bit twisted and me looking at the silver lining though. I'd like to think a healthy supportive relationship would have let me see me health issues early, but from what I've seen of others, that likely wouldn't have happened for me.
Honestly, the best healing I would have had is if I had gotten out four years ago when I found out what was wrong with me physically. Taking that stress out of my life combined with the healthy steps and changes I was making at the time, I would be completely healthy right now.
Stress effects our body, brain and spirit.
Mentally, physically, spiritually. I have a lot of health issues that I can see now goes back to when I was a teenager. Our kids have the same issues and the earlier they start in addressing them, the quicker the body can recover. In some ways now, I'm thankful the stress of his alcoholism broke my body down faster and earlier, otherwise I'd have had general problems all my life and not known what was going on. Instead, I fought harder and kept looking for answers for myself.
That's a bit twisted and me looking at the silver lining though. I'd like to think a healthy supportive relationship would have let me see me health issues early, but from what I've seen of others, that likely wouldn't have happened for me.
Honestly, the best healing I would have had is if I had gotten out four years ago when I found out what was wrong with me physically. Taking that stress out of my life combined with the healthy steps and changes I was making at the time, I would be completely healthy right now.
Stress effects our body, brain and spirit.
http://www.webmd.com/mental-health/e...s-on-your-body
Forty-three percent of all adults suffer adverse health effects from stress.
Seventy-five percent to 90% of all doctor's office visits are for stress-related ailments and complaints.
Stress can play a part in problems such as headaches, high blood pressure, heart problems, diabetes, skin conditions, asthma, arthritis, depression, and anxiety.
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) declared stress a hazard of the workplace. Stress costs American industry more than $300 billion annually.
The lifetime prevalence of an emotional disorder is more than 50%, often due to chronic, untreated stress reactions.
Forty-three percent of all adults suffer adverse health effects from stress.
Seventy-five percent to 90% of all doctor's office visits are for stress-related ailments and complaints.
Stress can play a part in problems such as headaches, high blood pressure, heart problems, diabetes, skin conditions, asthma, arthritis, depression, and anxiety.
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) declared stress a hazard of the workplace. Stress costs American industry more than $300 billion annually.
The lifetime prevalence of an emotional disorder is more than 50%, often due to chronic, untreated stress reactions.
Member
Join Date: Feb 2008
Posts: 837
I can only speak for myself on this but I was under so much stress for so long a time that I'm sure my cancer was an outcome of my immune system just shutting down. Since our divorce three yrs ago I'm happy to say I'm cancer free!
Member
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: southern indiana
Posts: 2,145
yes.
high blood pressure, anxiety, depression, sleeplessness, over sleeping, loss of appetite, overeating, weight loss, weight gain, migraines, heart palpitations, smoking.....these are just some of the medical issues I had during my marriage to alcoholic.
now.....for the mental health? let's just say my head was full of spider webs and cotton balls for a very long time. we'll just leave it at that. it was bad. worse than bad. it was life threatening.
today, I no longer have to take meds for diabetes, high blood pressure, ulcers, anxiety, sleep issues, or depression.
high blood pressure, anxiety, depression, sleeplessness, over sleeping, loss of appetite, overeating, weight loss, weight gain, migraines, heart palpitations, smoking.....these are just some of the medical issues I had during my marriage to alcoholic.
now.....for the mental health? let's just say my head was full of spider webs and cotton balls for a very long time. we'll just leave it at that. it was bad. worse than bad. it was life threatening.
today, I no longer have to take meds for diabetes, high blood pressure, ulcers, anxiety, sleep issues, or depression.
Member
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: right here, right now
Posts: 6,516
I was uber-cautious about my health -- I was a nutrition nazi and worked out religiously and was in very good shape the last 10 years I was married to an A.
But the stress got to me anyway.
Adrenal Fatigue | Stress Supplements | Adrenal Fatigue Symptoms
Adrenal fatigue. Took me a good three years to get back to some kind of almost normal after I left.
But the stress got to me anyway.
Adrenal Fatigue | Stress Supplements | Adrenal Fatigue Symptoms
Adrenal fatigue. Took me a good three years to get back to some kind of almost normal after I left.
Member
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: My Happy Place
Posts: 700
high blood pressure, anxiety, depression, sleeplessness, over sleeping, loss of appetite, overeating, weight loss, weight gain, migraines, heart palpitations, smoking.....these are just some of the medical issues I had during my marriage to alcoholic.
now.....for the mental health? let's just say my head was full of spider webs and cotton balls for a very long time. we'll just leave it at that. it was bad. worse than bad. it was life threatening.
Just copied and pasted from embraced cause I had all that. He's gone, so is that long list of issues. So to answer your question hell to the yes and more.
I wasn't married to mine though. I can't believe what I put myself through
now.....for the mental health? let's just say my head was full of spider webs and cotton balls for a very long time. we'll just leave it at that. it was bad. worse than bad. it was life threatening.
Just copied and pasted from embraced cause I had all that. He's gone, so is that long list of issues. So to answer your question hell to the yes and more.
I wasn't married to mine though. I can't believe what I put myself through
Member
Join Date: Dec 2013
Posts: 89
I am not completely blaming the fact that I got rosacea on my XAB but it did occur around the extremely stressful time in our relationship. I'm also fair skinned which is a factor too. I 100% believe that stress, especially extreme stress and trauma, causes all sorts of health problems.
Member
Join Date: May 2010
Location: USA
Posts: 13,560
Absolutely!!!!
Stress will make you physically ill. I have suffered with headaches (major ones), anxiety attacks, my hair falling out at times of high stress, breaking out in hives, all sorts of nasty stuff. My Dr. says it is a fact that stress will do you in!
Stress will make you physically ill. I have suffered with headaches (major ones), anxiety attacks, my hair falling out at times of high stress, breaking out in hives, all sorts of nasty stuff. My Dr. says it is a fact that stress will do you in!
Member
Join Date: May 2012
Location: Florida
Posts: 6,780
Any kind of extended period of stress - regardless of the cause - is likely to have an impact on my physical health. By the time I started to really fix me I was in bad shape; adrenal fatigue, ongoing migraines, insomnia & extreme fatigue, depression, my hormones were like a roller coaster, my immune system was almost non-existent & I caught every little bug, my weight bounced around (first dropping off almost overnight, then gaining it all back the same way much later). I was exhausted physically & that also made me an emotional mess, unable to clear the fog in my brain & difficulty focusing & making decisions.
I went from literally being in the very best shape of my life even though I was in my mid+ 30's to out of balance in every sense of the word.
I went from literally being in the very best shape of my life even though I was in my mid+ 30's to out of balance in every sense of the word.
Linkin Park Enthusiast
Join Date: Feb 2012
Posts: 548
Yes. And the kids too. And you know it's them because the second they aren't around, it's like a big weight off your chest. It's like, you can handle everything better. You sleep better, take better care of yourself, exercise once in a while, things that wouldn't be done otherwise because you are too busy taking care of them. It's a shame, really...
Member
Join Date: Aug 2011
Posts: 3,796
I was in an al-anon meeting once and a young woman, whose father is an alcoholic, talked about how she was born with meconium in the amniotic fluid, which is when the baby poops in vitro. Usually it is linked to distress of some sort. She was saying she always wonders what was happening to her that she experienced some sort of stress before getting here.
Member
Join Date: Dec 2013
Posts: 873
Goodness yes- Anxiety-panic attacks, stomach problems. All my problems were a result from my head. Everytime I would go to the doc they would say results came back normal but I would ache and ache. They would give me all kinds of meds and it kept me phyically sick. Ex Doc said my aches were from fibromyalgia gave me strong meds kept me sick for years with trying to find the right dose.
Amazing AH has been gone since Jan and I don't have 1 ailment
Amazing AH has been gone since Jan and I don't have 1 ailment
Linkin Park Enthusiast
Join Date: Feb 2012
Posts: 548
Originally Posted by choublak 
I was in an al-anon meeting once and a young woman, whose father is an alcoholic, talked about how she was born with meconium in the amniotic fluid, which is when the baby poops in vitro. Usually it is linked to distress of some sort. She was saying she always wonders what was happening to her that she experienced some sort of stress before getting here.
Of course, both times I had preeclampsia, but that is neither here or there. And for the record, I am a type A personality, so stress is like second nature to me anyway.
Member
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: Iowa
Posts: 3,050
Originally Posted by choublak
I was in an al-anon meeting once and a young woman, whose father is an alcoholic, talked about how she was born with meconium in the amniotic fluid, which is when the baby poops in vitro. Usually it is linked to distress of some sort. She was saying she always wonders what was happening to her that she experienced some sort of stress before getting here.
My axb's mom has all sorts of health problems. Her husband is an ra, but both her sons are active alcoholics. She suffers from lupus, and is constantly injuring herself- twisting ankles, falling, etc. Not really on purpose, but not totally by accident either I don't think. It's just that she needs an injury as an excuse to take care if herself.
Linkin Park Enthusiast
Join Date: Feb 2012
Posts: 548
And having an alcoholic father turned my mother neurotic. She is the epitome of an adult child, including denial about the whole thing.
She just got diagnosed with high blood pressure, although I have had it for some time now, and that's actually what killed my grandfather (he died 4 years sober). IMO, high blood pressure isn't hereditary, it's high stress, which causes the high blood pressure.
She just got diagnosed with high blood pressure, although I have had it for some time now, and that's actually what killed my grandfather (he died 4 years sober). IMO, high blood pressure isn't hereditary, it's high stress, which causes the high blood pressure.
Member
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: atlanta, ga
Posts: 3,581
When I confirmed finally that RAH was drinking again I started power eating. I was in great shape and packed on 15 lb in about 6 months.
I also went through a period of terrible sleep. I would wake up wide awake at 4 am night after night. OMG I thought I would go crazy. I was constantly tired.
His relapse was short. It would have gotten worse I am certain.
I also went through a period of terrible sleep. I would wake up wide awake at 4 am night after night. OMG I thought I would go crazy. I was constantly tired.
His relapse was short. It would have gotten worse I am certain.
Member
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: South Central USA
Posts: 1,478
In one word..YES! I know this to be true for myself. I have had to change my own thinking to pull my physical self out of the dumpster. Still things to work on but I've come a long way. I think if you're a person who bottles up all the emotions it can be worse on a person physically. I've done that for years...not anymore and I'm the better for it.
Currently Active Users Viewing this Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
