How Can I Help an Alcoholic?
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If you’re a loved one, family member, or friend of someone who has let you know that they’re an alcoholic, you’re probably feeling a bit overwhelmed—it’s natural to wonder how you can truly assist them during this time. If you’re asking yourself how you can help an alcoholic, read on to view a few helpful suggestions on how to encourage and support this person in your life.
What Is An Alcohol Use Disorder?
Alcoholism is most simply defined as the condition in which someone has become physically and mentally dependent on alcohol. There are gradations of severity when it comes to alcoholism, but in general, this term can be applied to someone who cannot be moderate in terms of drinking alcohol. They may plan their day around drinking, drink in secret, or drink when they’re upset or emotional.
Most alcohol problems will begin with binge drinking or drinking too much. However, this can escalate into a full-blown use disorder that can result in severe symptoms like nausea, sweating, and insomnia when the person tries to stop drinking.
How You Can Help
If you’re looking for ways to support a loved one with an alcohol use disorder, consider a few suggestions:
Learn about it. Learn about alcoholism and understand what the disease does to a person’s mind and body. Try to understand this illness in light of any trauma or life stress your loved one may have experienced in the past.
Confront the person, but be smart about it. If you want to express concern to your loved one, it’s often helpful to do so. However, you need to choose the right time and use your words carefully. Avoid sounding threatening or condemning, and instead express your concerns honestly while listening to the other person carefully.
Be supportive of treatment. Do whatever you can to support your loved one in treatment. You can do this by helping them find treatment options, going with them to visit sober living homes, or driving them to counseling sessions. If you are a supportive, encouraging presence that is willing to walk alongside them during the difficult times of treatment, they will surely notice and not feel so alone.
Don’t try to control them. You may have concerns, but you can’t force anyone to accept help. Don’t try to be controlling or threatening when it comes to suggesting the person get help. This may drive them further away from you and make communicating difficult.
Don’t accept abuse. If your loved one has become abusive due to alcoholism, you do not, under any circumstances, have to accept or tolerate that. Get yourself and your family to a safe place and be sure to put up proper boundaries if abuse has become an issue.
Don’t enable alcoholism. This one should be obvious, but if you want to help a loved one who is struggling with alcoholism, don’t enable them. Don’t buy them alcohol or make it easy for them to obtain alcohol. Encourage them in sobriety with your actions as well as your words.
There is Hope in Sobriety
If you’ve realized your loved one has a drinking problem, you may be feeling a bit down or helpless. However, these tips on how you can help an alcoholic may allow you to better support your loved one through their disorder and treatment. If your loved one needs further assistance, Magnolia Farm can provide a calm, tranquil environment in which to pursue sobriety. Join like-minded women searching for a peaceful, sober life, and work through the 12 Step program surrounded by a supportive community. Our community makes a difference and can be the key to your recovery. Contact us today to learn more