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Al-Anon Family Group, a 12-Step program similar to Alcoholics Anonymous , is a great resource for those affected by the disease of alcoholism. The path to sobriety is not always free of obstacles; relapse is a serious threat. If your loved one relapses, don’t blame, shame, or get angry; encourage your loved one to stop drinking and seek help as soon as possible. Many rehab programs emphasize the importance of an established routine to avoid relapse, and your loved one may need help keeping the routine going. Encourage your loved one to eat healthy, exercise regularly, and enjoy hobbies and activities that they enjoy. Aside from their professional treatment plan, your loved one will need support from you and their family to continue on the path to recovery.
How do you motivate someone to stop drinking?
- Envision what an alcohol-free life looks like for you.
- Write down your reasons to quit.
- Set achievable goals.
- Eliminate temptation.
- Try some affirmations and mantras.
- Find some allies for when things get tough.
Don’t blame yourself if the first intervention isn’t successful. The most successful treatment happens when a person wants to change. Your friend or loved one may also vow to cut back on their own. Urge the person to get into a formal treatment program. Ask for concrete commitments and then follow up on them. Watching a family member, friend, or coworker with an alcohol use disorder can be difficult.
Dual Diagnosis: Substance Abuse and Mental Health
This all has to come from a place of self-discovery and a personal desire to change. At the end of the day, you can’t force people to change, and the decision to do so has to be done on their own. It’s also a good idea to meet in a quiet, neutral place.
- Their skill, knowledge and expertise in this field are unparalleled.
- As clients experience more autonomy and independence, they also benefit from continuity in care and staff.
- But you don’t have to help your friend or loved one alone.
Sometimes information and concern coming from someone who has been through recovery mean more than when they come from someone who has not. Drinking problems also have a very negative impact on mental health. Alcohol abuse and alcoholism can worsen existing conditions alcohol addiction help such as depression or induce new problems such as serious memory loss, depression or anxiety. In the United States, alcohol use is highly prevalent. Your next steps may be unclear, and you may want to learn how to help someone with an alcohol problem.
Helping a Friend with an Addiction
You may also want advice from a mental health professional who understands the complexities of addiction. You may want to speak to a healthcare provider who specializes in AUD treatment before talking to your loved one. You may also want to write down what you want to say before you approach them. Remember, it may take a few conversations before https://ecosoberhouse.com/ they decide to seek help. The first step to helping your loved one is to understand what alcoholism is and how AUD impacts your brain, behavior, and body. As we’ve discussed before, AUD is highly complex and involves much more than drinking too much every once in a while — alcoholism involves dependence, high tolerance, and a loss of control.
- It’s OK to make choices that are good for your own physical and mental health.
- A common myth, even among those in recovery, is that someone has to want to get help (treatment/rehab) for the help to work.
- It’s natural to get frustrated with your loved one when you see them doing something that’s harmful to their health.
- Relatives, friends and strangers can be injured or killed in alcohol-related accidents and assaults.
- However, a crisis is usually the time when you should do nothing.