It is not easy to help someone suffering from alcohol addiction. This is a difficult topic to bring up, you may not know how to speak, and you might not be capable of empathising with their situation.
It doesn’t matter how difficult it may be, you can’t force someone to seek help. They have to decide. There are many ways to encourage them to make this choice.
This page will guide you through the best steps to help an alcoholic using our personal experiences and research. This includes how to tell a loved one, when it is appropriate to do so, staging an intervention, understanding alcoholism, co-dependency, and whether or not to seek detox. It also addresses how to support them throughout treatment and recovery.
When is it time to say something?
There is a fine line in between them and it is possible to not know if they are able to admit to the problem. How can you tell if someone is in need of treatment? Are they able to get treatment for alcohol addiction? Or would they just benefit from reducing their alcohol intake?
It is possible that you have watched someone you know struggle to limit their alcohol intake for a while, such as your mother, or your father. You might not have wanted to speak out because of the stigma attached to alcohol abuse or addiction.
You should be aware that an affected person might not be the best person for judging when their drinking is out of control. The brain area responsible for decision making and logic can be affected by alcohol. It is possible that the person will not see the obvious.
When is the right time to speak up? What should you say? It is better to speak up now than to let the situation worsen. Even if you’re wrong, it will let the person know you care. The worst thing that could happen is for you to hurt their feelings. If you are correct, it will bring the matter to the attention of the person affected and force them to address the possibility of needing help.
How do you talk to your family member?
It is not something that anyone wants to admit to allowing their alcohol use to spiral out of control. Because addiction and abuse are taboo topics, many prefer to keep their heads in the sand, hoping that things will improve on their own. Unfortunately, this is not possible.
You may be wondering what to do if you suspect your loved one is suffering from a problem. First, you need to remember that this is not a topic to be approached like a bull in a china shop.
Your loved one will become defensive if you use an accusatory, judgmental tone. It is important to step back and imagine yourself in the shoes of your loved one. Imagine how you would react if someone close to you approached you with a similar problem. What would you prefer the conversation to be?
Be aware that your loved one will likely feel embarrassed or humiliated if you tell them that they are drinking too much. First, you might deny that the problem exists. Instead of expressing disapproval, show empathy and concern. Experts suggest using positive language and avoiding criticism and labelling.
It is possible that your family member might be more open to the idea that they are ‘in danger’ of developing a problem than that they have one.
You Can Make A Difference!
It is possible that you are already aware that an alcoholic friend or loved one cannot be forced to seek help. You may think that an alcoholic cannot be saved or changed.
It can be difficult to see someone you love drinking and ruining their lives. The person affected has no control over alcohol. This is something you need to be aware of. The affected person is likely to become physically and psychologically dependent upon this substance. They are compelled to drink even though they know that it will have negative consequences.
You can’t force someone to seek treatment. However, you can be there to support them and encourage them to look at the severity of their situation. You should not allow the person affected to take control of your life. You will not be helping your friend or loved one no matter how much you try to help them.
Alcoholism can be a serious illness. You will not be able to stop him or her from becoming manipulative and selfish in their pursuit of alcohol.
You need to be at the best place to help
You must be strong if you want to help an alcoholic friend, spouse, parent, child, or family member. You have to be there for someone you love who is struggling with alcohol addiction. Watching the changes in their behavior can cause you to feel frustrated and upset. You may feel weak and vulnerable.
You can help by learning more about alcoholism, and how to prevent it. Learn as much information as you can about the person’s condition. Contact your Al-Anon local group. This group was created to support family members of people suffering from chronic alcoholism. You can get support and advice from other members of the group and meet others in similar situations.
Stage an Intervention
Sometimes you may find yourself in a position where you are forced to intervene for the addict. Although you may have hoped to convince the addict to admit to being an addict, this may not be the best option.
Interventions can be very effective in encouraging addicts to seek help, provided they are properly managed. Contact us if you need assistance in staging an intervention. We can also connect you with professional interventionists who can help you stage the intervention.
Support during Treatment and Recovery
Alcohol addiction recovery can be difficult and affected individuals will need support throughout treatment. A strong network of support can be a great help in achieving full recovery.
You cannot be there for your loved one, but you can help them. It is crucial that the person in question knows that you are there for them and are ready to help them recover fully.
Detox or Rehab? Which is better?
Some people wonder if detox or rehab is better for an alcoholic friend or loved one. But the truth is that both are necessary. Comprehensive recovery programs will include rehabilitation, detox, and aftercare. Statistics show that people who do not complete a detox program are more likely to relapse later.
Detox can be used to treat physical addiction, while rehab is used for the treatment of psychological addiction and emotional problems. There are many steps to successful treatment of addiction.
The recovery process should include ongoing care in the form aftercare and follow ups.
Alcoholism and co-dependent relationships
In families with alcoholism, co-dependency can be a serious problem. People who have co-dependency with an alcoholic are more likely to be in negative relationships with them. Many would claim they have developed their own dependence, but it is not due to alcohol or any substance.
Co-dependent people tend to place the needs of the alcoholic above their own. Others may be able to justify or cover up the addictive behavior of an alcoholic. Others may become isolated or withdraw from society to hide the addiction from their loved ones.
Five Rules for Being Supportive
There are several things you can do to show support for an alcoholic in treatment. Here are five rules you should be following:
Maintain a smooth running home
Supporting a loved one in treatment is the best way to help them. The individual will need all of his or her energy to get better. It will be easier to do this if there are no home problems.
Your home should be a drug-free zone
It is important that you are clear of all temptations if your loved one is trying to learn how to live without alcohol or other mood-altering drugs. Prescription medication, as well as certain foods and cleaning products that may contain alcohol, are all examples. You might find that your loved one has a stash of alcohol in secret.
Help support the program
You will want to let the person know you are there for them. It is important to keep in touch. It is worth speaking with your rehab provider about this. The staff at the rehab centre might prefer that you stay away from the beginning because it is possible that visiting could lead to addictive behavior. Instead of calling or visiting, it might be more effective to write a letter. This way, the person will be able to see you and is more likely to say something in the heat of the moment.
Look after yourself
You will be able to support your loved one while they are in treatment. The person’s addiction has likely affected you deeply. Now that they are being treated by a team counselors and therapists, it will be possible to focus on your recovery. You might find this a great time to attend Al-Anon meetings, and to get involved with others in similar situations.
Participate in the Family Programme
Family therapy may be a part of the rehabilitation program for your loved one. If this is the case it is recommended that you get involved. These sessions can be either with your loved one and their counsellor or between you and the counsellor. Family therapy can be used to heal the entire family. It addresses issues that could have led to the addiction, or have been caused by it.
Most Frequently Asked Questions
Is hypnosis possible for an alcoholic?
As part of an alcoholism recovery program, hypnotherapy is often used. This treatment can help to relax the mind and open it up for suggestion. While a person is relaxed, hypnotherapists can reach the subconscious brain to help them stay in touch with their unconscious mind. However, they are still aware of all that is going on around them. It can also be used to prevent relapse.
How to help an alcoholic, without making them complicit
It is very important to distinguish between helping and encouraging an alcoholic. It is best not to aid an alcoholic friend or family member in a way that makes it easier for them to get into more addictive behavior. Even if the person is claiming that money is necessary for food or bills, you should not give it.
You can suggest that you accompany the patient to the doctor or learn as much as you can about the treatment.
How to persuade an alcoholic to seek help
You probably know that alcoholism is not something you can force. However, you can convince the person that help is needed. Talk to the person about the harm they are doing to their lives and others. You can remind the person that it is important to seek help. If necessary, you may issue an ultimatum. It is crucial that you follow through if you make this request.
How can you help a married person who is an alcoholic?
Alcoholism can cause significant distress to a spouse. They are often forced to deal with their partner’s unpredictable and chaotic behavior and may also be subject to verbal or physical abuse. He or she might be trying to forgive behaviours that may seem unforgivable to others and taking over the alcoholic spouse’s responsibilities. You can offer support and love to someone you care about if they are married to an alcoholic. Talk to the person affected and inform them about Al-Anon. This is a support group for family members of alcoholics.
How to help an alcoholic without spending any money
Because they spend every penny to fund their addiction, alcoholics are often in financial difficulties. Then, they may beg for money from their friends and family to pay bills or for food. It is a bad idea to give money to an alcoholic as it will only enable him or her to continue their addictive behavior.
It’s better to show love, support, and give information to help the person get better.
How to help an alcoholic who has relapsed
It is not a sign that the world is ending for an alcoholic. You should not express disapproval or judgment. The person in crisis is likely already feeling badly enough. It is possible to save the person’s life by getting help right away. For advice, call UKAT at 888-442-4288.
How to help an alcoholic self-help?
To help an alcoholic, it is important to show love and support. Keep your chin up and be positive, no matter how difficult. It is true that you must be cruel in order to be kind to alcoholics. Don’t give money to the person in distress or offer any assistance that could allow them to continue drinking. It may be that you are the only way to get the individual to stop using alcohol.
