Helping Your Loved One Struggling With Alcoholism: What You Can Do

When you see a person that you love suffering for any reason, all you want to do is help them overcome their obstacles. However, if your loved one is struggling with an alcohol addiction, you may not know what you can do to help. After all, offering them a shoulder to cry on, money to pay bills, or any of the standard assistance you would provide a loved one in need could actually worsen the problem or simply do nothing to help. Addiction is a tricky and devastating problem for you to watch someone go through.

So, get to know the steps you can take to help your loved one without enabling their alcoholism in the process.:

Talk To Your Family Member One-On-One

You have seen it over and over in movies and on television, the infamous intervention where family and friends gather to confront their loved one about a problem or addiction. While this seems to be the norm according to popular media when it comes to addressing addiction problems, it can actually garner highly negative results.

If you attempt a group intervention, your loved one may feel defensive, attacked, may lash out in anger, and may actually worsen their behavior rather than realize they have a problem. They will also likely feel embarrassed which will not help them to process what you are saying to them.

So, rather than risk such a strong negative reaction, try to approach your loved one for a private, one-on-one conversation. You may want to schedule this appointment ahead of time so that privacy is assured. Make sure neither your loved one or you have imbibed in alcohol when this conversation occurs. Once you are alone with your loved one, be honest and remember to tell them that you love and care for them, and just want to make sure they take care of themselves.

Talk About Treatment Options

The idea of alcohol treatment for those suffering from alcoholism is usually met with a negative response. This is because "treatment" sounds cold, clinical, and makes the person feel as if they are "diseased" in some way. 

So, when you approach the idea of treatment with a loved one who is suffering from an alcohol addiction, avoid the term treatment at first. Suggest options to help them stop drinking or to support them in their efforts to make healthier choices. Whatever terminology you choose, just make sure it is agreeable to your loved one. 

Treatment options can vary from group support sessions, counseling and therapy, or even a stay in an alcohol rehabilitation center if your loved one feels that some time away from their daily life will help them to overcome their need for alcohol, and get their mind straight. Whatever options are discussed, emphasize to your loved one that you support their decision and that nobody expects them to go it alone. 

Helping your loved one who is struggling with alcoholism can be a difficult task. However, by approaching it the right way, you will be able to provide the help and support your loved one needs to realize their problem and overcome it. To learn more, contact a company like Bridgeway Recovery Services Inc. with any questions you have.

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