Observing a loved one battle with alcohol-related issues can be distressing and frustrating. You may frequently feel powerless, as if your efforts to assist them go unnoticed or unvalued. Questioning how you can help or whether the individual desires your support is natural.
You cannot compel someone to confront their issues, seek help, or acknowledge their problem. Such actions must stem from their journey of self-discovery and a genuine desire to change.
With millions of individuals worldwide grappling with alcohol addiction, it is crucial to understand how to support someone dealing with alcoholism effectively. Assisting those affected by this condition can be quite challenging, and even their caregivers often experience emotional strain, burnout, and difficulties in their relationships. Nevertheless, by implementing appropriate strategies, you can aid an alcoholic in managing their condition and accessing the necessary resources for recovery.
In this blog post, our experts from Liberty Home Clinic explore some ways how to help your loved one, a friend or a family member who is struggling with alcoholism.
What Is Alcoholism?
Alcohol functions as a sedative, often inducing feelings of fatigue or relaxation in individuals. However, those suffering from alcoholism may respond differently, sometimes experiencing heightened energy levels that can result in poor decision-making and risky behaviours.
As a condition, alcoholism affects both physical health and mental well-being. It is characterised by an inability to regulate alcohol consumption, even when it leads to significant health issues and impacts critical aspects of life, including relationships, family dynamics, social interactions, employment, or education.
While occasional drinking may not lead to addiction, it becomes problematic when it causes conflicts and disrupts various facets of an individual’s life. In such instances, a diagnosis of Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD), also known as alcoholism, alcohol addiction, or alcohol abuse, may be applied, which can vary in severity from mild to severe.
How To Help Someone With Alcohol Use Disorder?
Alcohol use problem frequently impacts not only the individual but also creates stress and anxiety for their friends and family. Addressing concerns and finding effective ways to support a loved one in reducing or stopping their drinking can be challenging. Here are some recommendations on how to help them:
Learn About Alcohol Addiction
Understanding why alcoholics struggle to stop drinking can be difficult without proper knowledge of alcohol addiction. Before taking any action, it’s important to learn about the condition. Familiarise yourself with the risk factors, warning signs, and what treatment involves – in addition, understanding the physical, emotional, and social changes that people with alcoholism experience will help you empathise with your loved one. With this knowledge, you can better prepare to discuss the issue with them.
There is a stigma around addiction, so having accurate information is essential when trying to support someone you care about.
Look For The Best Time To Talk
Addressing a loved one about their alcohol consumption requires a great deal of patience and empathy. This conversation can be particularly challenging, especially if their drinking has already strained your relationship. It is advisable to select a time when they are neither intoxicated nor experiencing a hangover, as this may lead to defensiveness or heightened emotions.
Engaging with a parent about their alcohol use can be even more daunting, but the most effective approach is to communicate with honesty and without judgement. Consider their perspective; reflect on how you would feel if a loved one approached you regarding a similar issue.
Help Them To Recognise The Problem
It is important to communicate your desire to offer support while ensuring that your approach does not come across as coercive. Be ready to encounter resistance and possible rejection.
Individuals who are drinking too much often experience significant feelings of shame and guilt about their behaviour, yet they may not be prepared to acknowledge or abandon these habits. Help them to gradually recognise their drinking problem without blaming them.
Listen To Them
Effective communication involves actively listening to the individual’s concerns. They may be experiencing stressors or other factors that contribute to their alcohol consumption. Financial difficulties or workplace challenges may lead them to use alcohol as a coping mechanism. Listening to them genuinely and gaining insight into the underlying causes of their alcoholism can facilitate a collaborative approach to addressing these issues together.
Offer Your Help
Sobriety and recovery can feel significantly less intimidating when there is a clear starting point. Be prepared to guide them toward a treatment programme that you believe would be suitable. There is a wide range of information available about recovery, which can be overwhelming for someone in the initial stages of sobriety. By simplifying this process, you increase the likelihood that your loved one will engage with the efforts you have made for their well-being.
In addition, it is crucial to approach them from a solutions-oriented perspective. When you have a conversation with them, whether alone or with family, it is essential to demonstrate that you have invested time in researching and understanding their options for assistance or treatment for substance or alcohol use problems. Options such as detoxification, inpatient care, outpatient programmes, counselling, or support group meetings should be clearly explained, ensuring your loved one knows precisely how and where to seek help.
Take Care Of Yourself
Supporting a loved one struggling with alcohol addiction can be a challenging and draining journey. It is crucial to prioritise your well-being to ensure you have the resilience and energy needed to assist them effectively.
Dedicate some time each day to engage in activities that bring you relaxation or joy. This might include listening to your favourite music or participating in physical exercise. Ensure you are getting adequate rest and maintaining a nutritious diet.
Signs That Your Loved One Has A Drinking Problem
Recognising the early signs of a drinking problem is crucial in the overall treatment outcome. We have listed here some indicators that you or someone you know is developing an alcohol addiction or drinking problem:
Excessive Alcohol Use
Excessive alcohol consumption may indicate the presence of alcohol use problems. It is characterised by the intake of large quantities of alcohol, often within a single sitting.
Changes In Mood And Behaviour
Alcohol changes brain chemistry, resulting in fluctuations in mood and behaviour. Individuals may display abrupt mood changes, increased aggression, and a range of adverse emotional states. Such changes can contribute to interpersonal conflicts and challenges in sustaining relationships.
Loss Of Interest In Other Activities
As your loved one persists in unhealthy drinking behaviours, there is a likelihood that they will become disinterested in previously enjoyed activities, prioritising alcohol consumption instead. This may result in their withdrawal from hobbies they have nurtured over the years and a tendency to avoid interactions with friends, family, and social events.
Neglecting Major Responsibilities
People may frequently miss work or classes to consume alcohol, arrive tardy, or struggle to manage their obligations effectively. In addition, they might attend work or school while under the influence or experiencing the aftereffects of drinking. Consequently, this behaviour can lead to job loss or disciplinary actions against the individual due to their alcohol consumption.
Increasing Alcohol Tolerance
An individual with alcohol addiction tends to consume alcohol regularly, which may lead to the development of tolerance over time. Consequently, this person may require increased quantities of alcohol to achieve the same effects previously experienced.
Experiencing Alcohol Withdrawal
A clear indicator of an individual’s potential addiction can be assessed by monitoring their behaviour after they stop consuming alcohol for a certain duration. Withdrawal symptoms may manifest within a timeframe ranging from two hours to four days after discontinuing alcohol use. These symptoms include anxiety and nervousness, increased heart rate, tremors and shakiness, disorientation, agitation and irritability, excessive sweating, diminished appetite, insomnia, restlessness, nausea and vomiting, as well as seizures.
Encouraging An Alcoholic To Get Help
It is unrealistic to anticipate that a loved one can address a drinking issue independently. Even in cases where medical supervision is not necessary for safe withdrawal, they will still require assistance, direction, and the development of new coping mechanisms to either stop or reduce their alcohol consumption.
You can support your friend or family member in seeking help by offering to join them for medical appointments, support group meetings, or therapy sessions, as well as by collaboratively creating a detailed plan that outlines the specific changes they intend to implement and the methods by which they will achieve these goals.
Supporting An Alcoholic In Treatment
It is crucial to realise that you cannot force someone to seek help for alcoholism if they are not ready. Keep in mind that alcoholism is a disease that can lead to changes in a person. One of the best ways to support an alcoholic is to be patient and help them recognise the seriousness of their situation. It may take time, but with your encouragement, they might eventually see that they need help.
Once your loved one admits that their drinking is a problem, the next step is to encourage them to seek help for alcohol addiction treatment options.
Discover How Liberty Home Clinic Can Help An Alcoholic
Your involvement does not end when your loved one decides to pursue help. Recovery is a continuous journey that demands both time and patience.
An individual struggling with an alcohol problem will not instantly transform into a different person when they become sober. In reality, they will encounter a range of new obstacles. They need to discover alternative ways to navigate life without alcohol and address the underlying issues that contributed to their addiction. However, with your consistent support, they can successfully navigate this path.
Liberty Home Clinic is here to assist you if you are considering getting help for your loved one. Our team of professionals has extensive experience in treating people with alcohol addiction. Our rehab involves a comprehensive treatment plan that goes beyond managing symptoms. We offer continuous support to maintain long-term sobriety.
