Quitting alcohol is not that easy.
For you, it might be just a bad habit, but actually, addiction is a disease. That is why proper treatment and assistance are needed when a person is trying to stop drinking.
If someone is suffering from this addiction disease and having difficulty quitting drinking, it is our duty to come forward and help the individual. For a long term recovery, a detox center is the best option you should opt for.
Signs Of Alcohol Problem
Before we are digging into the main topic, here are some signs you should look for in someone when you doubt that they might have an alcohol problem.
- Experiencing craving.
- More than once to cut down or stop alcohol consumption.
- End up having more alcohol than intended.
- Drinking is interfering in taking care of the essential responsibilities.
- Continue drinking in spite of having several problems due to drinking.
How To Help Someone Who Wants To Stop Drinking?
Most of us are clueless when it comes to helping someone with addiction issues. This is why we have curated some tips for you, which you can utilize when you are thinking about helping someone who is trying hard to quit alcohol.
Open The Lines Of Communication
The very first thing you should do is open the lines of communication for the individual. In most cases, individuals with drinking issues are afraid to talk about their condition with anyone; they fear being judged.
At the same time, they actually need someone to listen to them. They also need some assistance during their recovery. So, by opening the communication lines, you are actually making their recovery process smoother.
Make It Comfortable To Talk About
"I am here for you."
Only saying these words will not make them feel that much better. You also have to prove it. Make them feel totally comfortable when they are sharing their issues. Do not judge them because you are not in their shoes.
Often you can not have a single idea about how the person is suffering. Instead of judging them and continuously saying they have made a mistake, encourage them, make them feel comfortable.
Be Ready With Some Concrete Example
Often they might feel demotivated or think that there is no hope, as they already have a dependency on alcohol. However, there is always a chance for everyone and anyone. Anyone can quit drinking and start an afresh, healthier life.
You have to motivate them, so be ready with some solid and concrete examples of true incidents which will motivate them.
Don't Offer An Ultimatum
A person, who is suffering from addiction issues, is already going through a lot. The individual has a lot of stress already hovering in their head. So, let's not pressurize them by giving them an ultimatum.
Recovery takes time; you should give them the time. Putting too much pressure might break the situation and make it worse.
Do Not Pass Judgement Or Shame
Everyone makes mistakes. After all, we are just normal human beings. Apart from that, addiction is a severe disease. An individual can not fight with this all alone. They need our help. They already know that they have made a mistake, and they regret it.
In this scenario, being behind judgment and passing shame will break their confidence, and they might get into depression. It will make everything complicated.
Utilize The People In Your Life
You might know someone, who has successfully stopped drinking, or someone who has overcome other types of addiction issues. Utilize them to motivate your friend or family member who is fighting with this already.
When they get someone who has already been through this challenging and critical time, they will be more open to them, and those success stories will also motivate them.
Do Not Drink Around The Person
The worst thing you can do to a victim who is trying to quit alcohol has a drink when the person is around. It will make them vulnerable. For you, it might be "just a drink," but for the patients, it is poison; it is the trigger of relapsing.
If you are out with someone who is struggling with alcohol abuse, forget about having a single sip. Also, avoid the places and people, which might trigger them.
Provide Resources To Your Loved One
If you really want your loved one to come out of these addiction issues, you have to work a little bit. You have to keep the resources ready on your own after conducting several effective research.
From professional doctors to detoxification centers, from treating withdrawal symptoms to learning tools to combat relapse, they need them all. Here, you are the one who will provide them with all these essential resources.
Do Not Enable Them
In case you are thinking about what it means, let us tell you, enabling an individual with substance abuse is making them use the substances more. Any of your activity, action, or what you have said might trigger them to continue their substance abuse.
Here you have to be very cautious and particular about what you are saying and doing. Enabling also addresses doing those things for the patient, which they are capable of doing. Offering help is great, but do not overdo it.
Continue To Be Supportive
Most importantly, being supportive is the best thing you can do to help an individual who is suffering from addiction. Your constant support is what they actually need. No matter what, never lose hope and remove your support from them.
As we have already mentioned, they have gone through a lot; they are still going through a lot, so be polite and supportive.
Help Someone Who Needs
Always remember that when you feel sick, you need the support and assistance of your loved ones in order to get recovered. Just the same way, an individual with drinking issues also needs your continued support and assistance. Follow the above-mentioned things and help a person get a fresh and healthier life.