Alcoholism or alcohol addiction is complex because it changes how our brain responds to pleasure and stress, which you may not be familiar with. Therefore, you need to read and learn about the condition and how it can be treated. Denial is a natural response, often linked to stigma or self-protection. If your loved one resists the conversation, stay calm and avoid arguing.
- When someone you love is facing addiction, it’s hard to know where to turn.
- Someone with alcoholism has both a physical and psychological dependence on alcohol.
- However, it’s important to make sure you’re getting the support you need as well.
- Give them time and space to make an honest decision, and listen to what they have to say.
- Behavioral treatments include individual, group, and family therapy sessions.
The Best Online Therapy Platforms
You can attend therapy or counseling sessions with them, if they are comfortable, and provide companionship during difficult times. However, it’s essential to maintain your own well-being and seek support for yourself if needed. Supporting an alcoholic can be emotionally challenging, so self-care is crucial. 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.
However, certain things you can do may help relieve the pressure and, in some cases, also better help your loved one start their path to recovery. If you or someone you know is struggling with this type of addiction, alcohol may become your way to numb pain, cope with trauma, and deal with anxiety. However, as time goes by, your relationship with alcohol can take over and may affect your health, relationships, and ability to function.
How To Get Started
- This includes binge drinking (consuming large amounts in a short period) and heavy drinking (more than 4 drinks on any day for men or more than 3 for women).
- These are most effective when combined with counseling and therapy.
- Ways you can help include avoiding alcohol when you’re together or opting out of drinking in social situations.
Addiction is a family disease, and healing often needs to happen on multiple levels. A support group such as Al-Anon Family Groups may also be a helpful source of support when you have someone in your life with a drinking problem. The group can give you a place the most important things you can do to help an alcoholic to get social support and encouragement from others going through a similar situation.
Speak to a Licensed Therapist
No matter your background or expertise, your loved one will likely need outside help. For those who love someone living with an addiction, it is very difficult to sit back and let the crisis play out to its fullest extent. It’s common for someone with AUD to try to blame their drinking on circumstances or others around them, including those who are closest to them. It’s common to hear them say, “The only reason I drink is because you…”
Step 4: Approach and listen with honesty and compassion
This can depend on several factors, such as how serious the situation is or how private the person may be. If the person does have an alcohol problem, the best thing you can do is be open and honest with them about it. Hoping the person will get better on their own won’t change the situation. No matter the reaction, you should stay calm and assure your person that they have your respect and support. Start your recovery journey by calling our admissions team today.
Medically Reviewed By: Dr. Mohsin Ali, MD
Being an Alcoholic is a serious and challenging issue that affects not only the individual but also their loved ones. If you have a friend or family member who is battling alcohol addiction, it’s crucial to know how to help them effectively. In this blog, we will explore 10 powerful strategies for supporting someone struggling with alcoholism. Driving under the influence of alcohol, arrests, or other legal consequences are unfortunately common among people with alcohol drinking problems.
Standing by your friend or family member’s progress during and after treatment is important, too. Even after recovery, your person will be in situations they can’t predict. Ways you can help include avoiding alcohol when you’re together or opting out of drinking in social situations.
Loving someone with alcohol use disorder (AUD) often feels like walking a tightrope. It can be difficult to know what to do to minimize conflict and stress, support your loved one, and tend to your own needs at the same time. If you’re considering a treatment center where you can refer your loved one to begin their recovery journey, Twilight Recovery is a good place to start. Our programs combine evidence-based care with holistic therapies to support mind, body, and soul.
Express your concern for their well-being and let them know that you care about their health and happiness. Whether you’re seeking help for an alcoholic who doesn’t want help or someone ready to start treatment, our compassionate team is here to walk with you every step of the way. Your emotional stability plays a critical role in how effective you can be in helping your loved one.
Supporting New Healthy Habits
They are often very critical of themselves because they want to stop drinking but can’t. The brain plays a significant role in why a person cannot quit. Understanding how alcohol affects the brain and body will give you a better understanding of why quitting is so hard. Education and knowledge can give you an advantage when trying to help an alcoholic. Fortunately, it is very easy to obtain facts about alcoholism and the different types of alcoholics. You can do some research online to better understand how the disease works.
Tell your loved one that you’re worried they’re drinking too much, and let them know you want to be supportive. The person may be in denial, and they may even react angrily to your attempts. Give them time and space to make an honest decision, and listen to what they have to say. Guilt isn’t an unusual emotion among the family, friends, loved ones or even colleagues of an alcoholic. While providing support, it’s essential to establish and maintain healthy boundaries. This means setting limits on behavior that is harmful or enabling to the alcoholic.
