How to Help an Alcoholic Find Recovery

When someone close to you struggles with alcohol addiction, it’s normal to want to help. However, supporting someone with an alcohol problem isn’t always simple. You need to approach them with the right attitude, knowledge, and tools to truly help them on their road to recovery.

There isn’t just one way to recover from alcohol addiction. The best way to assist depends on many factors. Learning about alcoholism, recognizing the signs your loved one shows, and understanding different ways they can get sober are key steps. This information can guide you in helping them find the path that works best for them.

The Consequences of Alcoholism for Friends and Family

Alcoholism is a serious mental health issue that can cause great harm to friends and family if not treated. Like many mental health problems, it exists on a spectrum. Some people suffer only minor effects, but others face severe physical and mental health problems.

Common results of untreated alcoholism include neglecting important activities, losing interest in life, and using alcohol excessively. When someone stops drinking suddenly, withdrawal symptoms like tremors and anxiety often occur. Liver damage varies from mild to severe, and the risk of cancer rises significantly. Alcohol abuse can ruin relationships, cause job loss, and damage the skin and teeth.

It also increases the chance of developing other mental health problems. No level of alcohol consumption is completely safe. The more a person drinks and the more they become addicted, the greater the risk of serious consequences. Uncontrolled drinking can impact nearly every part of a person's life. Most individuals will need professional help to break free and recover.

Signs of Alcohol Addiction

Not everyone who drinks alcohol has an addiction. The 2022 National Survey on Drug Use and Health shows that 52.9% of adults in the U.S. drank alcohol in the past month. Over 65% used alcohol at some point in the last year.

It can be hard to tell if someone is really addicted or if their drinking is still under control. Some may not need help yet. The survey also found that about 11.2% of adults are dealing with an alcohol use disorder.

People develop an alcohol addiction when they keep drinking even if it causes serious problems. For instance, someone might lose their job, have liver issues, or feel shakes, sweating, or anxiety when they try to stop. They might also get into fights or upset loved ones over alcohol.

If a person can’t stop despite facing these problems, they probably have an addiction. Knowing this simple sign can help you see if someone needs help and when to step in.

Look more closely at what sets addiction apart from regular drinking.

Alcohol Use Disorder

Alcohol use disorder is the official label for someone who struggles with alcohol addiction. This diagnosis appears in the DSM-V, the manual used by psychologists and doctors to identify mental health issues. The disorder exists on a spectrum with 11 main criteria. If a person meets only two, it’s considered a mild case. Four or five criteria indicate a moderate level. Six or more show a severe problem.

Most people with alcohol use disorder need professional help to recover. Treatment centers offer various services, including counseling for mental health issues that often go hand-in-hand with alcohol problems. They provide medication-assisted approaches, individual therapy, group sessions, and relapse prevention programs. Combining these options with self-help efforts, like joining Alcoholics Anonymous, can greatly improve the chance of staying sober.

Binge Drinkers

The NIAAA describes binge drinking as drinking enough alcohol to raise blood alcohol content to 0.08%. For men, this usually means having five or more drinks in two hours. For women, it’s typically four or more drinks within the same time frame.

Like heavy drinking, binge drinking greatly raises the risk of developing an alcohol use disorder. It also increases the chances of alcohol poisoning, accidental injuries, and blackouts while intoxicated.

Deciding the right treatment for binge drinkers depends on each individual. Some may find help through support groups alone. Others might need more focused alcohol treatment to stay sober long-term.

Heavy Drinkers

The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA) sets different limits for heavy drinking based on gender. For men, drinking five or more drinks in a day or 15 or more drinks in a week counts as heavy drinking. For women, the threshold drops to four or more drinks at once and eight or more per week.

Not everyone who drinks heavily has an alcohol use disorder, but their risk is much higher than those who drink less. Heavy drinking often comes with more health risks because of the high amounts of alcohol consumed.

Some heavy drinkers may need medical detox to handle withdrawal symptoms safely. Continuous support and treatment may be necessary if they find it hard to stay sober without help.

Alcoholism

Alcoholism is often used interchangeably with alcohol use disorder, but it is an older term. It usually describes someone with an addiction to alcohol. Today, medical and mental health experts prefer the term alcohol use disorder instead of alcoholism. Still, many still use the old word to talk about this problem. When someone drinks heavily or every day, medical detox is usually recommended. Depending on how much and how long a person has been drinking, withdrawal can become very severe. In some cases, alcohol withdrawal can be so dangerous that it can lead to death unless treated by trained medical staff.

How to Intervene with a Friend or Family Member

Once you understand the issues with alcohol use, it's time to think about how to talk about their drinking. Starting this conversation can be tough, especially if they currently use alcohol regularly. It’s important to plan how you bring up the topic so the talk goes smoothly and helps instead of causing hurt. Being clear and gentle will make it easier to get your point across.

Preparing to Speak to Your Loved One

Before talking to your loved one, take some important steps to prepare yourself and make sure they are ready to listen. First, learn about alcohol addiction and the available treatments. Ensure they are sober during the conversation, so it goes more smoothly. Find a quiet, private spot where you won’t be interrupted. Keep some resources nearby in case they show interest in getting help. Get yourself ready emotionally, knowing the talk might be tough. Don’t focus too much on a specific outcome. Your first chat might not lead to immediate change, but it can plant the idea that help is possible.

Guiding a talk about alcohol requires some key rules. First, avoid blaming or accusing your loved one. Making it seem like they are to blame can make them defensive and end the conversation quickly. Instead, focus on how their drinking affects you by speaking from your own feelings with “I” statements.

Second, don’t turn the talk into a lecture. Pay close attention to what your loved one shares about their experience with alcohol and addiction. Listen carefully to what they say they need to stop drinking and get help.

Lastly, show genuine compassion. Making demands or issuing threats rarely helps someone agree to change. When you show you care and have their best interests in mind, it can spark real change.

Many people refuse to admit they have a problem or that they need help. They might also doubt that treatment will do any good. If you face this, there are still ways to support them.

Start by showing curiosity. Ask why they believe they don’t have an addiction or why they resist getting help. Talking about their drinking can help them see it more clearly. It might help them realize how serious their issue is.

If they remain closed off, suggest taking a small step instead of full treatment. They could meet with an addiction counselor for a short chat or come with you to a support group. Listening to others’ stories might open their eyes.

If your loved one is ready to get help, you must be ready to act quickly. Motivation to change can fade fast, so it's important to be prepared to help them sign up for treatment, join a support group, or go to a detox center. It's best if you have already looked into these options in advance. That way, when they decide to seek help, you can start the process right away.

Help is available.

If you or someone you know faces addiction, taking action is crucial. Making the decision to seek rehab is a strong move. With support, you can restore your health and keep your career on track. For more help, give us a call today at (727)498-6498.