How to deal with your friend/family members alcoholism?

Alcoholism is considered to be among the most debilitating of all addictions. One of the leading causes of death, it has an impact on not just the addict’s health and normal functioning but the family’s well-being as well. This information sheds light on how to deal with a friend or family member’s alcoholism.

Understanding the Situation

To begin, it is important to deal with the individual as normally as possible, while making an effort to talk about the negative consequences of the addiction on his/her health, job, family, friendship, relationship, and social life. Make it clear of the expectations and requirements for the person to share in the daily chores, keep up with responsibilities at work or outside. The person doesn’t want to feel left out because of the addiction, and you may want to keep them busy in order to create a distraction from the routine drinking. Many people who are alcoholics see their conditions getting better when they talk about it or make contact with others. However, some people end up doing worse. For them, rehab centers can go a long way in getting them back on track and helping them lead a life, addiction-free.

Setting Limitations

In some cases, you may need to be vigilant or set limits on the individual’s behavior. Alcoholism or another addition doesn’t give anyone the right to act aggressively or argumentatively towards others. Try to let the addict know this and expect them to act calmly and with courtesy toward their friends and family members, no matter what the situation is. Try to make your expectations as clear as possible, although this could lead to conflicts. Your best bet is to remain firm and seek help from treatment facilities or rehab centers as soon as possible if things seem to go out of control.

Warning Signs

A number of people who are addicts exhibit warning signs that are detrimental to their own health and safety as well as the safety of others around. Warning signs could be anything, from mood changes to changes to the person’s thoughts, actions, habits, and daily routines. You may notice that the person has a decline in mood or showing aggressive behavior towards others without any provocation. Warning signs can also include having negative thoughts, appetite loss, sleep disruption, worsening of health, slipping grades in school, missing work, loss of interest in daily routines, or experiencing anxiety, sadness, and hopelessness. Each addict shows these warning signs in unique ways. Sometimes, they are as subtle as it comes. Recognizing any sign early on can give you chance to step in and seek professional help outlined in the particular rehab facility.

Offering Mental Support

Just like the rest of the body, the brain needs the care to handle the addiction to alcohol in a person. Your family member or friend may find it challenging to do daily routines while dealing with addiction. These routines include food, exercise, sleep patterns, medications, and social contact. You can take on the role of instructor to encourage him or her to stick to these routines. Doing these routine chores with them whenever time permits is one of the best ways to encourage the addict to make them follow. This means getting diet, exercise, and getting enough sleep on a regular basis yourself. You can also offer to join your friend or family member on outdoor activities, such as walks, bike rides, and sports just to distract them from their drinking habits.

Reaching Out to professionals

It’s important to understand what alcohol addiction is and seek professional help in a timely manner. Although you are doing your best, the need for assistance from a rehab center may be necessary at some point. You may start with the addict’s PCP or family doctor. They can match the addict with the right center suited to their symptoms and severity of the addiction. Last but not least, the success of your friend or family member’s treatment depends on the treatment plan that is considered to be a good fit for the symptoms being treated. It also depends on how well the addict is following treatment recommendations as prescribed, arrives at the sessions as specified, keeps appointments, is open and honest with the therapist, listens to conversations, and works on assignments. Call us 614-705-0611.