Why does drinking seem to escalate every holiday season — and why does it feel so lonely for the wife watching it happen?

In this episode of Wife on the Rocks, we sit down together for an honest conversation about why alcoholics often drink more at the holidays and what that increase actually looks like inside a marriage.

This interview explores: • Why the holidays give alcoholics “permission” to drink more • How alcohol is easier to hide this time of year • Why others don’t notice — but wives always do • The tunnel vision addiction creates, especially around drinking opportunities • How wives are focused on kids, meaning, and traditions while alcohol becomes the priority • Why alcoholics often encourage others to drink to deflect attention • What it feels like for a wife to watch this happen year after year

We also share a personal Christmas story where drinking escalated, an attempt to stop was made, and how confusing and painful that experience was for both of us. It’s a raw look at how alcoholism, anxiety, and the pressure of the holidays collide, leaving wives feeling unseen and emotionally abandoned.

If you’ve ever thought: • “Why does he drink so much more right now?” • “Why does no one else seem to notice?” • “Why am I the only one affected by this?”

This episode will help you understand what’s happening beneath the surface — and remind you that your experience matters.

📩 Have questions or want to be added to the waitlist to work together? Email hello@wifeontherocks.com

🎙️ Listener Q&A episodes coming soon — send your questions anytime.

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