When you're wondering how to help someone with alcohol addiction, you may be in a dilemma. You don't know what actions to take or what your limits are, so how do you decide whether or not to intervene? If you're unsure of how to help, here are some guidelines:

Remember to look for yourself as well. The emotional toll of assisting a loved one in becoming clean can be significant. If you are worried or depressed, seek the assistance of a therapist or counselor. You can also take part in a program for the friends and family members of alcoholics. Contact Addiction Hotline (888) 672-2120.

Limits on what you can do to help someone with alcohol addiction

When helping a loved one with alcohol addiction, be aware of the limits of your ability. You cannot decide every single issue for them. You should not try to be their AA mentor or therapist. Do not burn yourself out trying to be the ultimate solution to an alcohol addiction. Instead, focus on supporting the person by providing empathy and support. Your presence is important, but there are limits to what you can do.

Enabling is a form of supporting an alcohol abuser and shielding them from the consequences of their behavior. It may involve helping them pay the bills, taking over their responsibilities, or providing financial assistance when they fall behind on bills. This is not helping the alcoholic and could make matters worse. Enabling may also mean giving them your financial support or driving them to A.A. meetings or to interviews. However, if you are helping them in their recovery, it will be viewed as supportive help.

Identifying the cause of alcohol addiction is critical to the success of treatment. Early detection is essential to ensuring the best possible outcome. Early screening by a healthcare professional, employee assistance specialist, or family member can help determine the cause of the problem and how to proceed. Once a person is identified, a program can be tailored to address their needs. When a person has alcohol-related problems, the consequences can be devastating. The consequences of drinking can include job loss and possible incarceration.

Interventions

If you or a loved one has noticed that someone you know is struggling with alcohol addiction, you may consider holding an intervention. An intervention can explain the benefits of treatment, including the consequences of continuing to use alcohol, and present other options for help. These interventions require careful planning and consideration to ensure their success. It is best to consult a professional interventionist before attempting to initiate one on your own, especially if the person you're trying to help has a history of violence or mental illness.

The planning process should start with an initial meeting to decide who will attend the intervention, where it will take place, and the general expectations for all participants. An intervention is rarely effective unless the person being helped has already admitted to drinking alcohol. If this is the case, the interventionist must avoid using the time allotted for guilt-inducing tactics, as this will only make the addict feel worse about their actions. The interventionist's main objective is to encourage the addict to seek treatment, not impose guilt on them.

During an intervention, a group of family members or friends meets with the addicted person to discuss the impact of alcohol and drug abuse on the family. The group should discuss how their feelings have been affected by the addiction, and will urge the person to accept help. The interventionist should present several treatment options, so the individual can choose the one that's right for them. It may take a couple of days before the intervention is successful, but the interventionist can help make the process successful.

Conversations

If you or a loved one has a friend or family member who is suffering from an alcohol addiction, you can have valuable conversations about this subject. You should avoid demanding that the individual stop drinking or use drugs, and instead, offer solutions and alternatives. Avoid labels and judging, as the substance abuser may not even realize that their behavior is causing problems. Instead, focus on behaviors and consequences. Then, use those examples to guide your conversation.

Those closest to the individual should try to be non-judgmental and empathetic. If they are defiant and refuse to acknowledge their addiction, try to imagine how you would feel. When talking about treatment, avoid blaming or assigning blame, as it can lead to emotional reactions. Instead, encourage them to get into a formal treatment program, and follow through with it. The most important thing is to be sensitive and compassionate.

Remember that most people don't drink just to enjoy a drink; many do so to self-medicate from their feelings. Be sure to remember that these people usually have mental problems that contribute to their drinking, such as depression or anxiety. Be sure to ask about these problems without sounding accusatory, and be prepared to offer concrete examples. In addition, you should avoid labels altogether. Instead, try to keep your conversations as positive and open as possible.