How sobriety could help save your marriage in 2009

Still feeling hung over from 2008? If so, you're not alone.
The Christmas and New Year period is traditionally a time
for over-indulgence, not least on the alcohol front.
For an increasing number of people, however, it seems
over-indulgence isn't confined to high days and holidays:
research suggests more adults regularly drink more than the
recommended daily units, putting their health at risk.
It is not only physical well-being that is jeopardised by
too much of the hard stuff - emotional and mental health can
suffer as well. On a basic level, we all know that if we
feel rough physically, we're unlikely to feel on top of the
world mentally or emotionally. And if we're tired, irritable
and fed up, we won't be particularly easy to live with.
Alcohol is not only a depressant, it is also reduces
inhibitions. Not always a bad thing, but if a marriage is
under strain, it can make a difficult situation a whole lot
worse. While a relationship can benefit from a couple
talking over their problems, rather than sweeping them under
the carpet, when alcohol is involved, it's more likely that
pent up resentment and general dissatisfaction will erupt in
an ugly, angry way.
Christmas and New Year often cause tension between couples
and the onset of January, with its grim weather and, this
year, a looming recession, isn't conducive to feeling
buoyant and contented with your lot.
Settling down to a few G&Ts with your spouse each evening
might seem like a cosy thing to do - even a coping mechanism
- but gin isn't dubbed "mother's ruin" for nothing.
If you're concerned your marriage isn't as healthy as it
should be and you suspect you're drinking too much, my
advice is that you resolve to lay off the booze this year.
By sticking to sobriety, you'll have more energy to tackle
daily problems, more patience to cope with your partner's
idiosyncrasies and a greater inclination to throw yourself
into joint DIY projects or leisure activities. Sex will
improve, you'll get better nights' sleep and you'll also
save money - which could help ease the household finances in
these credit crunch times.
Becoming teetotal might seem like a form a denial, but if
you approach it in a positive way, then it's likely to yield
positive results.
So this January - the month that is the busiest of the year
for divorce lawyers - make it your New Year resolution to
avoid becoming one of the statistics. There may be lots of
areas in which you can make changes, but beating the bottle
might help you realise that your (non-existent) glass is, in
fact, half full!