People with alcohol use disorder don’t drink in moderation, even if they say they’re only having one drink. To learn more, read about alcoholism and its symptoms. Many people with alcoholism seek support from Alcoholics Anonymous, a 12-step program where people with drinking problems can meet and connect with others in similar situations. But it is not common for people to overcome addiction solely by attending Alcoholics Anonymous meetings.
If you’ve been covering up for your loved one and not talking about their addiction openly for a long time, it may seem daunting to reach out for help. However, it’s important to make sure you’re getting the support you need as well. Lean on the people around you, and, if you need to, reach out to a mental health professional to speak about your stress and what you’re going through. Don’t succumb to pressure and start drinking yourselfAgain, it seems like a no-brainer, but don’t seek unhealthy stress-escape routes. Remember that an alcoholic is choosing the drink before his family and friends, and you’ll quickly find yourself repulsed by drinking yourself.
Step 5: Offer your support
You just happen to love someone who is probably going to need professional treatment to get healthy again. Substance use disorder is a primary, chronic, and progressive disease that sometimes can be fatal. No matter your background or expertise, your loved one will likely need outside help.
If your loved one relapses, it isn’t your fault. All you can do is encourage the person to recommit to overcoming their drinking problem and support them as they try again. It’s not easy to talk to someone about their drinking. You may be worried that if you bring up your concerns the person will get angry, defensive, lash out, or simply deny that they have a problem. But that’s not a reason to avoid saying anything. Your loved one’s drinking isn’t likely to get better on its own; it’s more likely to get worse until you speak up.
“Don’t put yourself in danger,” stresses Dr. Anand. It’s a routine you’ve witnessed repeatedly — and it never gets less painful to watch. Addiction psychiatrist Akhil Anand, MD, offers these tips to help you persevere.
Dealing With Someone Addicted to Alcohol: 9 Tips To Cope
This means you should separate yourself from all empathy towards their behavior. If you truly love the person, you will hate their addiction. Teens today experiment with alcohol earlier and more often than ever before.
- But that’s not a reason to avoid saying anything.
- Bring someone you can trust with you, advises Dr. Anand.
- If you recognize the warning signs that your loved one has a problem with alcohol, the first step to helping them is to learn all you can about addiction and alcohol abuse.
- Watching a family member, friend, or coworker with an alcohol use disorder can be difficult.
- You are not responsible for its onset or the fact the person isn’t seeking help.
You watch as your family member or friend slowly changes with each tip of the bottle. You may also want to see if other family members and friends want to be involved. This can depend on several factors, such as cocaine abuse and addiction how serious the situation is or how private the person may be. Realize that you can’t force someone who doesn’t want to go into treatment. Imagine yourself in the same situation and what your reaction might be.
Are You Feeling Suicidal?
Take the assessment and get matched with a professional, licensed therapist. Remain calm when confronting your teen, and only do so when everyone is sober. Explain your concerns and make it clear that your worry comes from a place of love. It’s important that your teen feels you are supportive. An addiction is a brain disorder, after all, and not something that’s easily resolved. It can take 10 or more attempts at treatment before someone makes progress on overcoming an addiction.
Enabling occurs when someone implicitly or explicitly encourages a person battling addiction to use alcohol. Enablers often give substance abusers money to support their habits. Point out how little time you’re spending together recently. Often alcoholics will be more inclined to make a change if they realize the effect on those who care about them. Talk to your child about what’s going on in their life.
While you can’t shelter your loved one from situations where alcohol is present, you can avoid drinking with or around the person. When you spend time together, try to suggest activities that don’t involve alcohol. Your role doesn’t end when your loved agrees to seek help. Recovery is an ongoing process, requiring time and patience.
The Last Word: Is Alcohol Use at Any Level Actually Healthy?
Do not bail an alcoholic out of jailThere are countless cases where an alcoholic will end up in prison. He or she may have been driving under the influence of alcohol or have committed another alcohol-related crime. It is important you let them hit that rock bottom and realize what a mess their life has become. Let your alcoholic friend or family member realize the damage they’re doing to themselves and those around them. Some of your actions, although with the best of intentions, will backfire and fuel an addict’s alcohol abuse.
If someone you love has an alcohol use disorder (AUD), you may wonder how you can support them on their journey to sobriety. As a friend, you alcohol misconceptions can provide support and assistance after rehab treatment. For example, be mindful of the person’s situation when spending time together.
An alcohol use disorder, whether sparked by genetic or environmental factors, is that person’s own choice. You are not responsible for its onset or the fact the person isn’t seeking help. Don’t convince yourself you’re the reason behind their behavior. This can nudge the alcoholic to use the feelings of guilt and manipulate you to give the alcohol-depression connection them money or cover up for their behavior. Educating yourself on the ways in which addiction or substance abuse worksPeople often say knowledge is power and they’re not wrong. The more you know about the biological and social underpinnings of an addiction, the more resources you can resort to in order to try and address the issue.
As shocking as it sounds, caring about yourself is as important as caring about your loved one facing an alcohol use disorder. Most people overlook this simple practice and end up ruining their lives. They’re pondering over how to help an alcoholic family member, or how to help an alcoholic friend so much that they put too much stress on themselves along the way. Here’s how to remain safe, sane, and healthy in the process of helping an alcoholic.
It’s common for people to require treatment more than once to finally achieve sobriety. That means you’ll need plenty of patience when supporting your loved one’s recovery. It’s important to remember that you’re not alone in your struggle. Alcoholism and alcohol abuse affects millions of people, from every social class, race, background, and culture. While you can’t do the hard work of overcoming addiction for your loved one, your patience, love, and support can play a crucial part in their long-term recovery.
If they are open to it, attend meetings with them. Offer to help out with work, childcare, and household tasks if they get in the way of treatment sessions. Nekou suggests educating yourself on potential triggers, health issues, enablement, the recovery process, and the psychological changes that addiction causes.