While it’s true that a person with an alcohol use disorder has to take the initiative to overcome it, the support system needs to know how to help an alcoholic curb addiction. Family members and close friends should create a safety net for the alcoholic to maintain sobriety and avoid relapse.
For alcohol addiction treatment, contact TruHealing Centers today at [Direct].
How to Help an Alcoholic
There are many ways to help an alcoholic that you care about. Some of the most effective methods include:
Express Your Concern
Show your concern about a person’s alcoholism by opening the lines of communication. Voicing your fears might not be easy, but it’s necessary. For the best results, you’ll need the people closest to the victim to attend the session.
The aim is not to reprimand the addict but to show you care and you’re open to discussions to save the situation. If the addict can understand the genesis of your concerns, they might change for the better, especially if their drinking is yet to progress into a severe addiction.
Establish the Root Cause of Alcoholism
Usually, there is an underlying cause that compels people to abuse alcohol. Life trials can still push people into alcohol abuse, with no thought of the impending risk of addiction and overdose.
The most common causes of alcohol abuse include:
- Unsatisfying careers
- Mental health conditions
- A history of drinking in the family
- Financial and intimate problems among couples
- Unfulfilled dreams, such as a middle life crisis
- Genetics
It’s essential to recognize the root cause of the mental health issue that is provoking the drinking.
Gather Evidence to Prove There Is a Problem
Refrain from confronting someone about their alcohol use disorder if you lack sufficient evidence to back up your claim. Offer good examples when conversing about a particular behavior and relate the topic to alcohol. Overgeneralizing issues is not how to help an alcoholic understand the problem. If you confront a loved one with claims that you can’t validate, it will only aggravate the situation.
As a result, the person will be quick to dismiss you when you bring up the same topic, even if the problem will have become more apparent.
Refrain From Giving Ultimatums
In most cases, people develop alcohol addictions because they think it’s the best solution to soothe their hurt, stress, or frustration. Giving an ultimatum will only increase the addict’s misery.
Instead, provide alternative options and advice for dealing with the stressors. Thus, you need to do some research ahead of time and identify ideal treatment options for your loved one’s condition.
There are several useful treatment programs, such as:
- Residential inpatient treatment
- Outpatient program (OP)
- Partial hospitalization program (PHP)
- Intensive outpatient program (IOP)
Alcohol is an addictive substance, so you’ll need to take the essential steps to reverse the situation if your loved one is already an addict. Pursue expert treatment for the addiction as soon as possible before the condition causes severe consequences to the body and mind.
Don’t Enable the Addiction
Stop behaviors that allow the addict to continue drinking. Enabling behaviors include calling their workplace to lie about their absenteeism, buying them alcohol, and bailing them out of situations. The longer you allow such actions, the longer they’ll overindulge in drinking.
Recovery also demands self-reliance on the part of the addict. Therefore, don’t do anything for the person if they’re capable of doing it themselves.
Help an Alcoholic Today by Contacting Amatus Recovery Center
Once you understand how to help an alcoholic quit drinking, you’ll realize that the results will benefit both of you. It’s stressful to live with a person who faces numerous health complications, including life-threatening conditions, due to alcoholism. Seek help from TruHealing Centers today and save a life. Contact us at [Direct] to schedule an appointment.