When someone you know and love is struggling, it is natural to want to help. However, deciding how to help an alcoholic isn’t always straightforward. Learn some of the best ways to deliver help for alcoholics without interfering with true recovery.
Learn as Much as Possible About Alcoholism
Learning how to help an alcoholic might start with learning more about alcoholism. Many people don’t know much about alcohol addiction and this means that they can’t be much help.
Knowing that alcoholism is a disease, rather than a choice or a defect, means you’ll be better able to help a loved one. By understanding the necessity of treatment and the types of rehab available, you can also be better prepared to support and guide their decisions in the future.
Avoid Discussions When an Alcoholic Has Been Drinking
Many alcoholics try to avoid serious discussions about their drinking. They might also drink before meeting with friends and loved ones. This creates an obstacle for those who want to help.
Make a real effort to connect with an alcoholic when they haven’t been drinking, or at least not heavily. When sober, people will be able to understand how serious you are and how important recovery really is. When drinking, the same people might not remember the conversation the following day, potentially making it a waste of your time.
How To Help an Alcoholic – Don’t Enable
Alcoholism can cause financial, career and relationship problems. To avoid the consequences of these problems, alcoholics might turn to friends and family members for help. Supplying that help and helping them avoid the direct consequences of their addiction is called enabling.
While support and assistance should be freely given, draw the line at material resources or cash. In addition, don’t bail out alcoholics, defend their actions to others or lie about their behavior to save them from consequences. Many treatment facilities offer a family program to teach families how to support without enabling.
Clearly Offer Ongoing Support
Alcoholism can be a very isolating disease. If you want to know how to help an alcoholic, start by just being there. Offering support, and showing that you have their best interests at heart, can help to lessen their loneliness.
Keep in mind that you don’t have to condone the behavior, but you can support the person.
Consider an Intervention
If you’ve broached the subject of addiction help in the past, but didn’t get a positive response, then consider an intervention. Staging an intervention can force alcoholics to recognize their illness and its impact on others.
For the intervention to be successful, organize treatment to immediately follow the meeting. Letting alcoholics leave an intervention on their own might discourage them from seeking treatment.
Helping an alcoholic isn’t easy, but it can make a positive difference in their lives. At Healing Springs Ranch in Tioga, Texas, alcoholics can receive custom treatment to help tackle their alcohol addiction. Call 866-656-8384 to learn what it takes to end an addiction to alcohol.