Addressing A Drinking Addiction Problem In The Family: 7 Strategies That Might Help

A drinking problem can affect not only yourself, but your entire family. This guide will provide you with seven strategies that can help them beat it and live a more fulfilling life. The truth is that alcohol problems can lead to greater problems.

Your health will suffer. Your relationships may be further damaged. It’s only a matter of time when things can get worse.

If you or someone you know needs help, the addiction treatment program by Ascendant can be the best possible solution. Visit their website to find out more information.

Let’s go further into this strategy guide that may help someone get over their alcohol addiction problem.

Talk to them

This can be a real challenge. You may not find the right time to talk to them because they are either under the influence or they may be in the process of continuing their addiction. The best opportunity may be to talk to them when they are sober.

They may be in a mood where they may refuse to listen. The important part is to not give up. Remind them that their alcohol problem may get worse if nothing changes.

As for where you want to talk to them, doing so in private is the best place. It should be no one’s business but yours and the person that you love. Let them know that you care about them and they should get the help they need.

Be sure to listen and lend a compassionate ear. They may have this drinking problem and for the wrong reasons. Try not to upset the person either as the efforts may be pointless.

Learn about alcohol abuse, disorders, etc.

To better understand the person with a drinking problem, you may need to learn them. With that in mind, you may need to understand the types of alcohol abuse and disorders that exist. This will give you a better idea of what people are going through with alcohol-related issues.

Meanwhile, give yourself the opportunity to check out the other resources related to alcoholism. Attend an AA meeting on behalf of the member of your family dealing with an issue. If you’re dealing with it yourself, you may need to find out why.

You won’t be able to unearth the true reason without having to undergo therapy.

Find a time to stage an intervention

Even though talking to them may be a good step, an intervention is something that is completely different. That’s because you will need to enlist the help of other family members, friends, or even co-workers. This group will sit down with the person dealing with an alcohol problem.

They will share their thoughts on how someone’s alcohol issue is affecting them. They will discuss why it is important to get the help now compared to never at all. Give them the opportunity to get the treatment they need to beat their alcohol addiction.

If they don’t, be sure to provide them with the consequences. This may include health issues they may experience, family members they may lose contact with, and more. Again, this needs to be done from a position of compassion.

Don’t upset the person. The group needs to be supportive and willing to help.

Help them find treatment

This major strategy may require your time and effort. You want them to get the treatment they need. What rehab center is closest to your local area?

How severe is the addiction for this member of your family? If it’s severe enough, it will require inpatient care. Otherwise, an outpatient option may be key.

Finding the right treatment option for them may not be the final plan. It can take evaluation from a professional to make a decision on how it will be done. So make sure you coordinate with an addiction counselor so they can make a treatment plan for the person who needs it.

You may be just laying the groundwork. That’s OK, you’re doing your best to help. Don’t make it seem like a burden because you care about the person.

Support them during (and after) their treatment

At this point, they have agreed to treatment. This is a huge step in the right direction. Your support for them shouldn’t stop as they get it.

It should be ongoing. You can give them your support during and after treatment. The post-treatment process can be a challenge as they are trying to build their lives back up.

Plus, they may be faced with a potential relapse. You can still do your part to ensure that they live a more healthy and fulfilling life after the treatment process.

Make a plan in case they do relapse

As mentioned in the previous point, potential relapse can happen. That’s why it is key to make sure they have a plan in place. This means having to contact specific people, going to a facility, and more.

You may be one of the go-to people in charge of this. This plan should be drawn up while that member of your family is still in treatment. This process should not only involve you and your family member, but also the professionals helping them throughout the treatment process as well.

A recovering alcoholic with a relapse plan will stand a better chance at bouncing back than someone that may not have one.

Know that it’s an ongoing process

After alcohol addiction treatment, you want to make sure that your loved one remains on the path. That is the path of living an alcohol-free life. They may feel tempted to stray away from it at times.

It is up to you to tug them back in the right direction. It may not hurt to gently remind them. You may feel like you’re controlling over every aspect of their lives (but you’re not).

Alcohol addiction may be triggered long after treatment is completed. Yet, you can do your part to make sure that doesn’t happen again.

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