Your health care provider can help you evaluate the pros and cons of each treatment setting. The emotional impact of helping a loved one stay sober can take a toll. Seek help from a therapist or a counselor if you feel stressed or depressed. You can also participate in a program that’s designed for the friends and family members of alcoholics, such as Al-Anon. To help someone stop drinking, focus on being supportive without being judgmental. Talk to them honestly about your concerns, but don’t be confrontational.
‘Like an old friend I’ve had for years’: How to take an alcohol break if you love a drink
- Even if your loved one does enter treatment and recovery, there will likely be many bumps along the way.
- You will likely hear your own story in the stories of those who share with the group, creating a sense of solidarity and support.
- The ADF also has a tool on its website that can assess your situation and direct you to the best nearby services, for you and the person you’re worried about.
- Look for local Alcoholics Anonymous meetings, find counselors that fit their insurance plan, and research treatment facilities.
But it’s important to remember that you still have a major impact on the choices that your child makes, especially during their preteen and early teen years. If you live far from them, Nowinski suggests, consider having a caregiver visit a few days a week to provide companionship and let the family know of troubling changes in behavior. Many religious congregations also have volunteers who are happy to stop by and visit.
Press Play for Advice On Finding Help for Alcohol Addiction
Seek help from a trusted friend, therapist or clergy member if you feel stressed or depressed. You can also participate in a support program designed for the friends and family members whose lives have been affected by someone else’s drinking, such as Al-Anon. “Routine and structure are important to overall mental health because they reduce stress and elements of unknown or unexpected events in daily life,” Johnson says.
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Alcohol use disorder can include periods of being drunk (alcohol intoxication) and symptoms of withdrawal. Overcoming AUD is an ongoing process—one that can include setbacks. You will want to understand what will be asked of you in order to decide what treatment best suits your needs. Matching the Hope House Boston Review right therapy to the individual is important to its success. It may also be helpful to determine whether the treatment will be adapted to meet changing needs as they arise.
- If your loved one is struggling with a mental health condition such as anxiety, depression or PTSD along with AUD, Sharp Mesa Vista Hospital provides a Dual Recovery Treatment Program.
- To avoid burnout, set clear limits on what you’re able to do.
Step 1. Learn about alcohol use disorder
Some people are surprised to learn that there are medications on the market approved to treat AUD. The newer types of these medications work by offsetting changes in the brain caused by AUD. Acceptance- and mindfulness-based interventions increase awareness and acceptance of present-moment experiences. Mindfulness-based skill-building strategies promote flexible, rather than autopilot, responses to triggers that can prompt drinking.
Some problem drinkers don’t see their alcohol use as, well, a problem; others are aware they have a precarious relationship with booze. Either way, confronting someone about a drinking problem can be tricky at best. Through the years, the same scenes would play out over and over again.
How to Support Someone Who Drinks Too Much
- At the other end of the spectrum is alcoholism, which refers to a long-term dependence on alcohol.
- A heavy drinking binge may even cause a life-threatening coma or death.
- To learn more about how to help a friend struggling with alcohol use, call us for a free, confidential referral at .
- Sometimes, just showing your support and concern might motivate them to seek help.
- You may want to learn if the program or provider offers medication and whether mental health issues are addressed together with alcohol treatment.
Avoid accusatory language such as, “You’d better get help or else.” There are several things you can do to intervene, show your concern and support for your loved one, and protect yourself from getting too wrapped up in their addiction. When you talk to someone about drinking too much, it can be helpful to know the terms to use and avoid. A child psychologist discusses the risks and benefits of kids using social media as well as treatment options for those affected by it. Worrying and stressing about your loved one can take a toll on your mind and body, so find ways to relieve the pressure.
