What happens to holidays as alcoholism progresses?

In this episode of Wife on the Rocks, we share a deeply personal conversation about how alcohol addiction slowly changed our family’s holidays over the years — often in ways we didn’t fully understand at the time.

This is a joint interview with my husband and me, reflecting honestly on: • What holidays looked like before addiction took over • How alcohol slowly pulled him away from family traditions • Why he began opting out, canceling plans, or avoiding holidays altogether • How anxiety and depression intensified as the disease progressed • The grief and confusion wives experience when their spouse emotionally disappears • Why missed holidays are often about addiction — not lack of love

We talk openly about how alcoholism doesn’t just affect drinking — it affects motivation, connection, mental health, and the ability to show up for meaningful moments. As the disease progressed, holidays became overwhelming instead of joyful, leading to isolation, withdrawal, and eventually absence.

If you’ve ever wondered: • “Why doesn’t he want to do holidays anymore?” • “Why am I celebrating alone?” • “Is this depression, anxiety, or alcoholism?” • “Does he even care?”

This episode will help you understand what may really be happening — and remind you that you’re not alone, and it’s not your fault.

📩 Have a question or want to share your story? Email hello@wifeontherocks.com

📅 Book a 1:1 coaching session: Email to be added to the wait list for upcoming session opportunities!

Do you dread the holidays because money feels out of control — and no matter how hard you plan, budget, or prepare, something always sabotages your efforts? When you're married to someone struggling with alcoholism, the financial stress of the holiday season hits different. You’re trying to manage Christmas gifts, family events, groceries, travel… all while navigating a spouse who is secretly spending, overspending, or using money to support an addiction.

And because both of you aren’t on the same page, you feel like you're doing something wrong — like if you just budgeted better or tried harder, things would work.

But here’s the truth:

👉 You cannot manage money effectively with someone who is also managing their addiction.

👉 You are not failing — alcoholism is destabilizing the home, not you.

👉 You have very little control over financial chaos caused by drinking.

In this episode, we’ll talk about:

• Why holiday money stress is so intense in homes affected by alcoholism

• The emotional shame spiral wives fall into (“Why can’t I fix this?”)

• Why budgeting with an addicted spouse rarely works — and why it’s NOT your fault

• How to release the belief that you’re supposed to “hold it all together”

• A simple truth to anchor in when the financial chaos feels overwhelming

• How understanding lack of shared reality can lift a massive burden off your shoulders

If you’ve ever blamed yourself for financial stress caused by addiction, this episode will help you breathe again.

👉 Questions for the show? Email me at hello@wifeontherocks.com

Search: Financial Infidelity, Money Management, Dave Ramsey, Budgeting

Are you the only functioning parent in your home during the holidays? Do you carry the entire load—planning, preparing, protecting the kids, managing emotions—while your husband’s drinking increases and his presence decreases?

This episode dives into the heartbreaking exhaustion Christian wives face when they are emotionally and practically parenting alone, even though their spouse still lives in the home. You’ll hear why the holidays intensify this burden, why you feel so drained, and why the invisible load you carry is real, valid, and seen by God.

If you’ve ever collapsed into bed thinking, “I can’t hold this together alone,” this episode will meet you right where you are.

📩 Questions: hello@wifeontherocks.com

📅 Book a session: Email to be added to the waiting list.