Seeing a loved one struggle with alcoholism can be disheartening. You keep on thinking of ways of helping them and if they are willing to accept your help. However, helping them can be emotionally rewarding and worth it for your relationship. Alcoholism is a name that defines an individual with an alcohol use disorder. Such an individual is both psychologically and physically reliant on alcohol for survival. Here are ways of supporting a loved one with a drinking problem.
Learn
About The Alcohol Use Disorder
The first
step in helping a family member or a friend suffering from alcoholism is by
understanding whether they are addicted to alcohol or just a social drinker.
Alcoholism is beyond the overuse of alcohol and not just the habit of
over-drinking from time to time. These two situations are different because
individuals suffering from alcoholism cannot control their drinking habits even
if they want to. Therefore, learning about alcoholism will enable you to
understand the behavior of your loved one, hence, being in a position to help
them. To help them, you can join an online group to understand alcohol use
disorder better. You will learn about the psychological and emotional effects
it is causing on you. Additionally, you will also understand some of your
unhealthy behavior towards them and how it may be contributing to their
alcoholism.
Have
A Non-Confrontational Conversation With Them
It might be a very challenging conversation to have. Therefore, you need to prepare for it adequately. You should converse when your loved one is sober and somehow emotionally stable. You should also ensure that you are relaxed so that your loved one does not feel confronted. During this conversation, empathize with your loved one and show concern and genuineness about how alcohol use negatively affects your loved one and the entire family. It may include their troubled relationships with other family members and friends. Make your family member understand that you are willing to help them deal with their alcoholism. It can be effective by finding a rehab facility or a 12-step program for treatment. You can also assist them with particular responsibilities in their house during their recovery time.
Consider
the CRAFT Method
The first
step may not be successful in helping your loved one to stop drinking, which in
most cases is not. Even with your loved one's dedication to change, they may
need several treatments before they stop. Therefore, you should consider
several interventions. Most addiction professionals recommend Community
Reinforcement and Family Training (CRAFT). It is a more effective means of
helping your loved one recover from alcoholism. According to research, the
effectiveness of CRAFT interventions ranges from 64 to 74% in assisting your
loved one to recover from alcoholism. It enables the family members or the
individuals that are willing to help to:
Determine
the triggers of alcohol use
Develop
and enhance the communication skills
Determine
the triggers of violence
Identify
and break the patterns that lead to alcohol use
Exercise
self-care and revive their personal beliefs and values
Create a
plan of ensuring their safety and that of their family members
Be
Supportive But Don't Enable
It is normal to only focus on the behavior of alcoholic individuals and how it affects them. As a result, you forget about yourself and your needs, which is emotionally and psychologically harmful to your health. According to Sober in Seven's sober coach in the UK, "be supportive but don't take it on your own shoulders." It means that after taking all the necessary steps to help your loved one, you should understand that you cannot force your loved one to change as they are the only ones who can make that choice. Therefore, you should provide them with support and interventions and follow up with the outcome while focusing on your life.
Individuals suffering from alcoholism cannot control their drinking behavior. Therefore, they choose to continue drinking despite causing them pain and issues in their lives. Alcoholism is a chronic condition with various symptoms and is usually triggered by life experiences and genes. You should, therefore, help your loved one recover from alcoholism. It would be best to understand that it is significant for individuals with alcohol use disorder to take responsibility for their behavior. Therefore, you should not forget about yourself.
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