Alcohol addiction + having a drinking problem is a severe issue. Many households are suffering due to this. There are many ways that you can support an addicted person to reduce their consumption and slowly quit.
Here are some of the easy ways you can support the person with drinking issues.
Table of Contents
Educate Yourself
Gaining as much knowledge as you can on alcohol use disorders can enable you to make healthy decisions for yourself or a loved one, comprehend the illness of addiction, and stop taking things personally.
Alcohol consumption disorders are intricate medical conditions with a wide range of interconnected biological and environmental causes. Alcohol use disorders can be efficiently controlled, but there is presently no cure for them. However, they can be treated with proper help and support.
Know the Reason which Triggers Craving
There are a lot of reasons a person gets addicted to alcohol. You need to find the root cause and help to solve the issue. It may be a family problem, financial issue, or any trauma. A lot of patients get addicted due to severe stress and anxiety.
If you are familiar with the reason and reduce the encounter it will be a great help for an addict.
Add Distraction to Life
You can divert the attention from the need to drink by focusing on something constructive to occupy the person’s thoughts and energies.
Some things to think about doing:
- Play some tunes and start moving.
- Take a book and start reading a chapter.
- Take a stroll, either by yourself, with a buddy, or with your pet.
- See something humorous.
- Prepare a tea or a snack.
- Organize a drawer.
- Consider coloring mindfully.
- Invest some time in your preferred pastime.
Communicate with Them
Conversation make things easy. Give them the reliability and understand their emotions. Emotional support can help them to open up. This will help to reduce the cravings and motivate them to quit alcohol.
Early recovery patients usually require both material and emotional assistance. While providing this support is beneficial and healthy, it's crucial to make it clear that you will only be aiding in their recuperation. Prioritize helping your loved one achieve their healthy, long-term objectives, such as getting a career or furthering their education.
Let Them Take the Decision and Learn from their Mistakes
Understandably, you want to do the most of the things to support your loved one to quit addiction. But let them take a stand too.
Let them learn on their own how to politely decline attractive offers. And allow them to get the confidence to talk freely about their struggles with substance abuse. In their support system, your job is to love and support them and to assist them when they stumble.
Avoid Using Relationships to Threaten Them to Quit
It may be quite difficult to be in a close relationship with someone who is abusing alcohol or other drugs.
However, stating things like, “You'd quit if you loved me,” is harmful and rarely effective. Communicate your worries to your loved one instead.
Declare your affection for them. How can I support you as you heal? Tell them again and again that you are willing to assist them in their rehabilitation. Tell them they are appreciated, that they are capable, and that they are not alone.
Support Them: Recovery is a Long Journey
Quitting alcohol addiction is not easy. In many cases, almost 3 out of 10 people relapse within the first year of the recovery.
Keep in mind that a vast number of individuals who formerly struggled with alcoholism or other substance abuse are currently leading contented and joyful lives.
You need to manage the treatment so there is a minimum chance of relapse. There is immense difficulty in becoming stable after addiction. Consult a good rehab that will plan relapse well like orange county mental health treatment. With their experts, you can easily help your loved ones with relapse issues.
Continue to support their efforts. One thing you need to consider is that millions of people are living a dream life after they quit alcohol addiction.
Conclusion – How to Help Their Drinking Problem
Patience and consistency will be very helpful strategies. If you want the person to reduce or quit drinking forcing the person will not help. Constant expert help and family support will give them the courage to quit.
