How to Help an Alcoholic: What to Say and Resources That Can Help
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Offering to attend meetings such as Alcoholics Anonymous, SMART Recovery or Celebrate Recovery will help your loved one feel much more supported. Furthermore, the most delicate piece of the equation can be the dialogue and conversation you have to have with the person you are concerned about. It’s important to stay calm while honestly expressing your love, care and worry for their life. Being real and open to the person in the most authentic way will show them the seriousness of your approach to them. Perhaps the best first step towards helping someone who has a drinking problem is to understand it as best as you possibly can.
Can you live a long life as an alcoholic?
The average lifespan of an alcoholic tends to be shorter than that of the general public because heavy drinking on a regular and long-term basis can increase the risk of developing several life-threatening diseases and conditions.
Before you realize it, you can find yourself in a full-blown abusive relationship. Substance use disorder is a primary, chronic, and progressive disease that sometimes can be fatal. No matter your background or expertise, your loved one will likely need outside help. However, there are certain things you can do that may help relieve the pressure, and in some cases, also better help your loved one start their path to recovery.
Steps To Take If An Alcoholic Refuses Treatment
Often the best time of day to catch someone without a drink in his or her hands already is in the morning. You want to approach them in a peaceful and private setting, so you have the most probable opportunity for them to open up to you and receive the important message you are carrying for them. One of the biggest hangups of alcoholism and why it perpetuates is the drinker feels they are going to live by themselves or that the world is against them, and they cannot catch a break.
It can also force two people to confront underlying issues that were long masked by addiction. That’s at the heart of everything we do at Discovery Place. We’re all in recovery and we’ve all been through Discovery Place’s programs. We know exactly what your loved one is thinking and feeling.
Effective Health Care (EHC) Program
Worrying and stressing about your loved one can take a toll on your mind and body, so find ways to relieve the pressure. Eating right, exercising regularly, and sleeping well can all help to keep stress in check. You can also try one of HelpGuide’s guided audio meditations to help you stay calm sober house and focused as you make this challenging journey. Try seeking help from a sports coach, family doctor, therapist, or counselor. Remain calm when confronting your teen, and only do so when everyone is sober. Explain your concerns and make it clear that your worry comes from a place of love.
For example, when a loved one calls you from jail asking for bail money, your love for them may drive you to give them the money. The idea of your loved one in jail terrifies and disappoints you. After a rehabilitation program has been successfully completed, aftercare is an important part of the recovery process. Committing to getting sober and seek help takes courage. Often times, those who need help with a drinking problem may not immediately be receptive to discussing treatment.
