How do you respond to an angry outburst?

It's not easy to live with an angry alcoholic. We argue with them often, but these arguments get us nowhere. Many of us shut down emotionally, seething with our own anger. It hurts when you can't bridge the emotional gap that separates you from your spouse or partner. Even though we'd like to believe that communication is the solution to our relationship problems, the challenge of communicating with the alcoholic is itself a major symptom of the disease.