How to Help an Alcoholic
Helping an alcoholic find the road to a life of sobriety is possible, in spite of the circumstances and obstacles that exist. Start by realizing that you cannot change or control the behavior of an alcoholic. The National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence, Inc. (NCADD) reports that alcohol plays a role in about 40 percent of all violent crimes. Dealing with alcoholism requires professionals specifically trained in the problems related to alcohol abuse and addiction.
Helping an Alcoholic
As an alcoholic, your family member is out of control with their drinking. It is tempting and sometimes inevitable to look at the results of alcoholism and feel totally helpless. There are some general steps you can take to help, such as:
- Learn about the disease of alcoholism. As a disease, alcoholism must be separated from the person you love. It’s a difficult step to take, but it will help you deal with the consequences of the actions of the alcoholic, if you can remember that it’s the disease process in action and not the person. As a chemical, alcohol has dramatic physiological effects on the body. Since withdrawal from alcohol can be life-threatening, it must be treated like an illness requiring medical oversight.
- Have conversations with the alcoholic. Since alcoholics tend to live in denial about the seriousness of their drinking, let them know that you are aware of the problem and that you want to help. You may not get an acknowledgement of the problem, but you have at least set the stage for getting outside help.
- Don’t enable the alcoholic. In many situations, it is the tendency to try to hide the actions of the alcoholic by making excuses for their actions. You may find yourself lying to the neighbors or employer to cover for the alcoholic’s behavior. In doing so, you are enabling the alcoholic to continue drinking.
- Explore treatment options. There are many types of treatment facilities to consider. The best option to help an alcoholic is with a facility that treats the mental and physical effects of alcoholism throughout the cycle from detox to recovery support. Programs should include counseling for the alcoholic and the family.
Help for the Uncooperative Alcoholic
You can’t force an alcoholic to get help, except in circumstances such as court-ordered treatment. If your attempts to help your alcoholic loved one fails, reach out. If you have a friend or family member who is a recovering alcoholic, that person may be persuasive enough to get an agreement to seek help. Do your homework in advance and be ready to make the call to a facility the instant you have a willingness to go for treatment. Offer to accompany them on the initial visit to a treatment center.
What Do I Look for in a Facility?
An effective treatment facility considers the needs of the entire person. This includes assessing the nutritional, psychological and medical needs of the patient and developing a treatment plan for the body and mind. Therapy, activities and support services should be included. Give us a call for answers to your questions about helping an alcoholic and for insight into the programs we offer.