Alcohol addiction affects both personal and professional lives of people. It hinders with the person’s family as well as friends. But, it comes down to the person only when he/she wants to actually stop alcohol addiction. But, the loved ones can still take certain measures to at least highlight the problems. Thus, helping them in their fight with addiction.
Hence, below are few ways to help someone overcome Alcohol Addiction:
Communicate:
It’s very important for you to communicate with your loved one who is the addict. If you are concerned about the person the only way to let them know is to have a conversation with them. It may be difficult for both of you, but it is necessary. Hence, with proper and concrete examples you can let the person realise the damage it is doing. If the person understands your concerns then it will be the first step.
The Underline Cause:
Most of the time, people drink because there are some other reasons behind. These reasons can be depression, anxiety, fear etc. Hence, it is important for you to make them comfortable to talk about these reasons. But, you shouldn’t accuse them of their problem or not judge them. You should listen and acknowledge the issue gently and understand it with empathy.
No Ultimatums:
Often when we try to confront someone with addiction we have a tendency to provide them with ultimatums. But, a person who is an addict will always choose alcohol over the ultimatums. This happens because the ultimatums will increase their stress, hence they will start drinking more. Instead of ultimatums, you can provide them with solutions or programs that you think will help them recover.
Present with Resources:
One of the most difficult steps is the first step in stopping any kind of addiction. The person doesn’t know where to start with. Hence, it is important for you to help them take the first step. You can either enrol them in different programs or group therapy sessions. Also, you can make them meet people you know who have successfully quit any kind of addiction. Thus, by using your own resources you can present them with different resources for the first step.
Don’t Drink Around them:
It is important for you to not drink around them, especially when you have voiced your concerns. It will give them mixed signals along with wanting them to drink more. Also, they might think that your concerns were not meaningful. Thus, they will resume their habit.
Tough Love:
It is difficult for anyone to show tough love. But, it is necessary. Instead of defending them in situations and bailing them out you need to show a boundary. Hence, making them understand what they are doing is harming themselves and others around them. Also, if you constantly keep helping them with their daily chores which they can do themselves, they will always stay dependent on alcohol. This behaviour is also known as enabling them. Hence, instead of enabling them one needs to show some tough love.
Continue to Be Supportive:
It is always a tough battle against an addiction. Sometimes it takes years to fully recover from it. But, if you show that you have stopped caring about them they will understand it and stop the process. Hence, it is important to be supportive of the person throughout. If the person receives proper care and support throughout the period, then the person will be able to recover faster.
Alcohol addiction is a long battle within oneself and the people around them. If you or someone you know is an addict then along with the above steps please take them to a mental health professional immediately.
