How to Help an Alcoholic Quit Drinking

2024 Author: Samantha Chapman | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 09:13

Seeing the life of a friend or family member being destroyed by alcohol is deeply frustrating and painful. When a person becomes an alcoholic, they must go through a rehabilitation program in order to get out of this addiction. If you are going to help, you need to first understand if she really has a problem with alcohol, and then you can help her get the treatment she needs.

Steps

Part 1 of 2: Asking the Alcoholic to Stop Drinking

Step 1. Identify the symptoms of alcoholism

Those with alcohol problems may not necessarily have crossed the threshold of complete alcoholism. He could face and overcome this addiction on his own, but it must be considered that his is a disease that cannot be cured and requires external intervention to be kept under control. Alcoholics often have the following symptoms:

• Problems at work and school, such as delays or absences due to a hangover
• Frequent loss of consciousness after drinking a lot
• Legal problems due to alcohol consumption, such as arrest for drunkenness or drunk driving;
• Tendency to empty the glass and inability to refrain from drinking alcohol when they are close at hand;
• Tendency to plan commitments based on alcohol consumption and the consequent after-effects;
• Relationship problems due to alcohol consumption;
• Desire to drink in the morning and withdrawal symptoms in the absence of alcohol.

Step 2. Practice giving your speech

Once you have decided to talk to the person about their drinking habits, you need to know exactly what you are going to say. Try to be clear and concise, without making judgments. That way, she'll be less likely to get distracted - which could happen if you talk for a long time - and feel attacked.

• Try memorizing a couple of basic and quite important phrases for you. For example, you might say, "I love you and I fear that the way you are drinking on weekends is ruining your health. I will support you in getting the help you need."
• It may also be helpful to have a group of trusted friends to help you talk to your loved one. However, make sure he doesn't feel attacked.

Step 3. Talk to this person

If you have noticed symptoms of alcoholism in her, talk to her that you are worried. Explain that her behavior is affecting other people and that it is time to stop drinking for her own sake and that of her family. Mention the problems alcohol abuse is causing in your life.

• Find a time to have a chat when she hasn't been drinking. Usually the morning is better. Don't worry if he's still under a hangover. Let her know that she is harming her body, making him sick day after day.
• Be prepared for rejection. Alcoholics often deny that they have problems with the amount of alcohol they consume. It is very likely that this person will not take you seriously until they feel really ready. While you should still try to compare this person with what reality is, you also need to understand that it is very unlikely that you will be successful on that day.

Step 4. Avoid arguing, judging or scolding

When discussing his drinking habits, don't start accusing him or making judgments. Don't constantly pester him with his problem, as you only risk making the situation worse. If you argue, it will be harder for him to open up to you about what his reasons for drinking might be.

• Keep in mind that this discussion can have a personal attack on you as a reaction. Part of an alcoholic's defense, instead of acknowledging the negative effects of his behavior, is often to blame others, making them the reason for his drinking.
• Try to listen honestly and be reasonable. This is obviously easier in words, but it is objectively more difficult to get angry with an honest, pleasant and well-disposed person.

• You don't have to accept blame or abuse. When dealing with an alcoholic, putting healthy stakes is important, as these are often lacking when a person has problems with drinking. Even if there are problems that have contributed to the problems with alcohol (relationship, for example), you are not the cause of his alcoholism. Nor is it acceptable to behave in a cruel, irresponsible or manipulative manner.

  • You have every right to turn your back and walk away or at least stop arguing with an alcoholic who behaves this way.
  • This is not being cruel, nor does it mean abandoning it. If the alcoholic is not confronted with the negative impact this rejection has on his life, he is likely to continue drinking.

  

  Step 5. Try to understand the situation

  When dealing with alcohol, don't neglect to ask the abuser if they have problems or other reasons that stress them and lead them to drink. Also, you should find out if he is surrounded by a valid support network. If not, you might want to suggest that he enlist the help of a group of people.

  • Perhaps he will avoid discussing the problem that leads him to use alcohol or he might even deny there is a problem;
  • However, understand that alcohol consumption fundamentally changes a person, often to the point where it is difficult to know what is due to drinking and what an individual really is;
  • Alcohol can cause irrational behavior, negatively affect the ability to make decisions and cloud the mind. All of this continues even when the person is not actually having a drink. Asking an alcoholic questions like "Why did you do this?" may not have helpful answers. The "answer" may simply be "because I'm an alcoholic".
  • It's normal if you still don't understand. You may not be able to, and you may not even be in the best position to do it. Just loving someone doesn't mean you can solve their problem. For instance:
  • A 14-year-old may not be able to understand life the way a 40-year-old does;
  • A person who has never been in combat cannot fully understand what it feels like to see a fellow soldier die in battle.

  

  Step 6. Don't try to force the alcoholic to stop drinking

  Alcoholism is a rather complex disease, so forcing you to stop this addiction or humiliating those who use alcohol is unlikely to get any results. In fact, there is a risk that he will drink even more.

  • You need to realize that you can't stop an alcoholic from drinking, but you can give him advice and assist him in finding help.
  • However, this does not mean that you should help him get alcohol or tolerate him abusing it.

  Part 2 of 2: Give Your Support

  

  Step 1. Avoid drinking with him

  If you drink with him, it will be much more difficult for him to reduce his alcohol consumption. Also, you run the risk of introducing unhealthy habits into your own life. You can help the alcoholic by hanging out with him and going to places where no alcohol is served. This will make it easier for you to stop drinking.

  

  Step 2. Talk to other people

  Ask their family and close friends if they have noticed any alarming behavior or if they think the person in question has a problem. Avoid defining her as an alcoholic and pay close attention to who you talk to - don't talk to individuals who shouldn't know her situation. Don't put their privacy at risk.

  If you feel that he is addicted to alcohol, now is the time to involve other people. The problem is too big for you to deal with alone and, therefore, you need to seek outside help as soon as possible

  

  Step 3. Talk to the person concerned

  Remind her that you are worried, that you care about her, and that you want her to get help. Share what you think about what you have noticed and ask what you can do to help her out. Be prepared for the fact that he may not want any help from you or that he will avoid you for a while.

  If she plans to get help, offer to put her in touch with a professional. Keep a list of possibilities handy, in which you can include contact information for the Alcoholics Anonymous group in your area, the names of psychotherapists and psychologists who specialize in helping alcoholics, and a list of rehabilitation centers

  

  Step 4. Try to involve a professional

  If the alcoholic refuses treatments of any kind or does not even consider them, try to involve a psychotherapist. He will have the experience to manage different types of alcoholics and will work with you to establish a recovery program.

  A psychotherapist will be able to manage defensive attitudes and other behaviors that can upset or confuse immediate family members

  

  Step 5. Encourage the alcoholic throughout the therapy period

  If he agrees to take psychotherapy and take all necessary steps to detox, make it clear that you will offer your support and that he has made the best choice. Keep his feelings of guilt or discomfort at bay by showing that you are proud of him for agreeing to get help.

  

  Step 6. Be prepared to support him during relapses

  If she has attended a rehabilitation center and completed a course of therapy, she will likely be vulnerable when she comes out. For most people, treatment never ends, as alcoholism is something they have to constantly deal with. Therefore, family and friends should continue to support him, despite the relapses, which among other things happen to almost all alcoholics.

  • Suggest that they do something relaxing together that doesn't involve drinking alcoholic beverages. Go cycling. Play cards. Pretend it's raining and hole up in the house. Prepare some cookies. Go out and enjoy the finer things in life. Visit museums. Have a picnic in the countryside.
  • Encourage him to attend Alcoholics Anonymous meetings and seek counseling if needed. Let him know that you are available to talk if he needs you.

  

  Step 7. Take care of yourself

  It is tiring to be a friend or family member of an alcoholic, as such a situation could generate a sense of helplessness and hopelessness. Alcoholism is often referred to as a "family disease" as its effects extend far beyond the life of the person with alcohol problems. Therefore, during this time, take your time to engage in anything that nurtures your well-being, self-confidence, and self-esteem.

  Consider going to therapy. It may be helpful to have someone to talk to about what you are feeling during this emotionally difficult time

  

  Step 8. Spend some time with other friends and family

  Occasionally you should give yourself a break from the problems surrounding the person who is abusing alcohol. Even if you stay focused on his well-being, spending some time with the rest of the people in your life, you will have the opportunity to distract yourself and regain your energy.

  Try to dedicate yourself to your personal problems during this time. Avoid constantly thinking about the person who abuses alcohol, otherwise you risk ruining other relationships in your life or developing addiction problems in turn

  Advice

  • If your friend isn't willing to admit that he has a problem, there's not much you can do. Don't take it personally and don't feel responsible for her addiction.
  • If it's a person in your life, it's almost inevitable that their problem will affect you. Try going to some Alcoholics Anonymous meetings or reading articles, essays, and books written by them. They could give you numerous tips on how to deal with this situation.