How-To’s of Helping An Alcoholic
Alcoholism is a disease that can destroy lives and tear apart families. Therefore, you need to know how to help an alcoholic get through this disease. That’s why we have created this simple guide. You will learn about the symptoms of alcoholism, how you can help your loved one accept help, and the rehab options that may work for their needs.
Symptoms of Alcoholism
Alcohol is a confusing substance because so many people drink regularly. As a result, it can be hard to know if a person has alcoholism or if they are a social drinker. Therefore, you must know the symptoms of this disease before you learn how to help an alcoholic. Ask yourself the questions below to get an insight into this problematic situation:
- Has your loved one drunk more than they intended during a drinking period?
- Have they tried to quit in the past but always fall back into drinking?
- Do withdrawal symptoms develop if they try to stop?
- Are legal and financial troubles hounding your loved one?
- Have they expressed anxiety about their drinking yet continue to drink?
- Are they losing support from friends and family members due to drinking?
- Do they get angry or upset when you suggest rehab?
All of these symptoms indicate a real problem with alcohol. The main issue here is that many people turn to alcohol use as a social crutch. They may find it easier to interact with friends or enjoy their life. Just as problematically, many will struggle to accept their alcoholism. They don’t want to have this disease and try to hide it from others. As a result, it may be necessary to intervene.
Helping An Alcoholic Accept Help
If your loved one is struggling to accept their alcoholism, intervention may be necessary. This process often forces a person to take a step back and examine how their behavior has affected others. Often, people who go through an intervention find themselves compelled into rehab.
When setting up an intervention, you must make sure that it is a surprise to your loved one. If your loved one anticipates it, they can avoid it. The proper intervention relies on the element of surprise for success. Just as importantly, you must make sure that you have real consequences for your loved one if they refuse treatment. This step is hard but necessary for their recovery in rehab and aftercare.
Find a Treatment Options
After your loved one accepts their disease, it is time to get treatment. Now, how to help an alcoholic at this point varies based on their needs. For example, some respond well to outpatient care for their treatment. Outpatient rehabilitation allows them to come and go at the beginning and end of the day. As a result, they can stay with family members and even go to work to keep their life stable.
Those without jobs or who need more intensive care may need inpatient treatment. These facilities offer a 24-hour care option that ensures they are healthy. They’ll also get the chance to detox, meet sobriety partners, and participate in healing treatment sessions. These benefits make inpatient a great option and one from which most people will benefit.
But what about after your loved one leaves a rehab center? Will they relapse or take their treatment seriously? Those worried about this problem can consider aftercare for their loved ones. This care option focuses on paying attention to potential relapse triggers. It can also provide your loved one with a place to go if they need help with emotional problems related to alcohol addiction.
Giving Your Loved One a Second Chance
If you want to know how to help an alcoholic, please contact us at 1-866-824-5193 today. At Atlantic Recovery Center, we treat alcohol addiction on a personal level. No addiction is the same, and we tweak our approach to ensure your loved one gets the best results. With our small inpatient facility and a specific outpatient option, they should be able to find care that works for them. So please verify your insurance right away to get started on the path to recovery.