Clinically Reviewed on 06/12/2023 2:12 pm by Dr. Olalekan Otulana (Advanced Practitioner) All information on this page has been reviewed and verified by a certified addiction professional.
Advice on how to help an alcoholic, from having the difficult conversation to seeking the help they need.
When we seek to intervene our approach matters, so gather as much information as possible and hopefully this can be the 1st step in getting a loved one help and treatment.
We understand that watching your loved ones battle an addiction may leave you scared for their life. You may even feel responsible for their addiction. However, alcohol addictions can plague those that are suffering, leaving them with no control over their consumption levels.
What may have started as alcohol abuse to help individuals deal with various aspects of their life will over time have become an escape, eventually turning into an addiction.
When a person arrives at this point they need help, but you may also need help too.
In many cases people may have difficulty opening up to a partner or loved one about drinking problems. If the person you are worried about is prone to outbursts or violence, you may be afraid to have this difficult conversation. In some cases, you may need a family intervention or support from the outside in attempting to have a conversation regarding drinking habits.
Al Anon run a free helpline for people who live with alcoholics and can provide some useful advice on the free helpline if you are worried about how to approach somebody with regards to their drinking habit on 0800 0086 811.
If you have decided to talk to your loved one about their alcohol consumption and address their addiction, we would highly advise that you have considerd your approach in doing so. You should go into the discussion with a positive and gentle approach and be prepared to listen.
If you attempt to have a conversation that conveys that you are angry, this will leave your loved one unwilling to talk to you and may cause them to reject your support in the long run.
Many addicts will understand that they have hurt their loved ones. They will feel as though they have let them down and disappointed them. They will also be ashamed to admit that they are struggling. Opening up about their addiction may be the last thing they want to do, especially to a family member. As a result, you must show empathy and try to resonate with how they may feel.
When considering how to help an alcoholic, one of the first and potentially most important things that you can do is understand what help is available for them. This knowledge will present you with a greater chance of having a useful conversation with your loved one that will encourage them to ask for help.
There are many resources and treatments available; however, private rehabilitation provides the best possible outcomes and also increases the chances of long-term recovery.
Many private rehabilitation centres, such as our deluxe rehab centre in Northamptonshire, will see individuals become an in-client. This is in the best interest of those suffering from alcohol addictions as we can provide them with around the clock care, detox programmes, personal counselling, group therapy and family support.
As well as ensuring that the addiction is addressed and treated, our team of professionals are also able to provide psychological support. We understand that this is vital as addictions often stem from, or result in, mental health conditions such as anxiety and depression. As a result, we often provide therapies including Cognitive Behavioural Therapy and meditation to those that enter our rehabilitation centres.
Upon completing a treatment service, aftercare is offered. This allows addiction recovery specialists to provide support to those who have completed residential treatment and enables those in recovery to track their progress and seek any advice that they may need. This also minimises the risk of any relapses.
Asking for help can be daunting, especially for those battling an alcohol addiction. As their addiction consumes them, they will be torn between doing the right thing, such as entering rehab, and feeding their addiction.
Depending on the severity of their alcohol dependence, your loved one may see alcohol as their best friend and something that helps all of their problems go away, even just for a short period. This leaves many addicts reluctant to seek help as they become worried about what will happen to them in the future when they need to escape the stress of everyday life.
As mentioned above, your loved one may not comprehend the rehabilitation and treatment services that are available to them. With this in mind, aiding their awareness of treatment facilities and programmes offered will provide them with the knowledge they need to feel confident in seeking professional help.
Your own family base may be important if you want to help an alcoholic. You may need to gather support from your wider family in discussing how to approach somebody who may need help. Support from the family can be a crucial factor in not only recovering from alcohol, but also making the breakthrough out of denial.
We understand that watching your loved one suffer from an alcohol addiction can have devastating consequences and will often leave you feeling helpless. As a result, at Asana Lodge, we also provide counselling for families that have been impacted by addictions.
The family counselling that we regularly provide is proven to help families deal with addictions at home. Furthermore, it guarantees that families are equipped with the knowledge they need to encourage and support addiction recovery as their loved one leaves rehab and embarks on their long-term recovery.
Although you may have reservations about referring your family member, it is common for families to stage an intervention to ensure that their loved one gets the professional help and support that they need to recover from their addiction.
When you refer your family member to Asana Lodge, we will evaluate their relationship with alcohol. This will help us to determine how severe their addiction is and assess their physical and psychological state in order to provide the best possible treatment service.
As your loved one completes their inpatient treatment at our facilities and returns home, temptation will likely surround them. As they progress through their aftercare support, there is a possibility that they may experience alcohol relapse.
As a result, your home must be alcohol-free. This can prevent relapses and further encourages long-term recovery.
If you would like to see our advice on how to help an alcoholic, please feel free to contact us today.
Our team is ready to take your call and talk you through the various steps you can take as well as treatment programmes that we have available at our private residential centre.
Call us today on 01908 489 421 and take the first steps in helping your loved one recover from their alcohol addiction.
Dr. Olalekan Otulana (Advanced Practitioner) - Clinical Reviewer - Last Reviewed: 06/12/2023 2:12 pm
Dr. Otulana is a highly skilled General Practitioner and Addiction Specialist. He possesses extensive expertise in the field of Substance Misuse Management and boasts a diverse background in evaluating, overseeing (including detox procedures), and overseeing the residential recovery of individuals grappling with various drug and substance addiction issues. His primary goal is to conduct thorough assessments of patients dealing with addiction issues and determine their medical detoxification and psychological treatment requirements. Dr. Otulana is well-versed in caring for patients who need dual drug and alcohol detoxification therapies.
In addition to his medical qualifications, Dr. Otulana is a proficient healthcare professional who holds a Master of Business Administration (M.B.A.) degree from the prestigious Cambridge University Judge Business School.
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