Try seeking help from a sports coach, family doctor, therapist, or counselor. Expose your teen to healthy hobbies and activities, such as team sports, Scouts, and after-school clubs to discourage alcohol use. Remain calm when confronting your teen, and only do so when everyone is sober. Explain your concerns and make it clear that your worry comes from a place of love. Barbara Stepko was a longtime health and lifestyle writer, and former editor at Women’s Health and InStyle. Her work has appeared in The Wall Street Journal, Parade and other national magazines.
More on Substance Abuse and Addiction
If during the conversation, the person becomes violent or they make threats to harm themselves or others, the person with them is best calling 911. This means it may take several conversations before they accept that they have a problem and need treatment. If the conversation becomes heated, it is best to end it and try again on another occasion. When dealing with someone who potentially has AUD, it is important not to blame them.
- Your friends or family may not expect you to say no so it might seem odd all of a sudden that you are refusing a drink.
- Your loved one’s drinking isn’t likely to get better on its own; it’s more likely to get worse until you speak up.
- Once you approach someone about their potential alcohol problem, it would be highly inconsiderate and counterproductive to drink alcohol in their presence.
- Depending on the level of your loved one’s problem—and how much control they have over their drinking—they may be able to reduce their alcohol intake to a healthier level rather than quit altogether.
- Of course, if they or others are in serious, immediate danger, call 911.
The Experience Blog
My alternative thought might therefore be “Even though no one would notice if I had a drink, I would notice and I wouldn’t like myself”. You may be tempted to lecture, but the reality is https://ecosoberhouse.com/ that if someone is unable to stop using alcohol, they are already struggling. If they still drink despite negative consequences, a lecture will do little to change their behavior.
Books and Resources for Family Members
Without going through addiction yourself, it’s incredibly difficult to understand the grip that substances can have on a person’s life. As a result, it will be harder to put yourself in their shoes, and you may find yourself wondering why they can’t just stop using alcohol. Understanding problem drinking is essential before attempting to help a person headed for trouble due to drinking. The purpose is to help the individual realize that someone cares about their wellbeing and does not want to see them get pulled into a downward spiral by drinking too much.
Choose the Right Time and Place for the Conversation
Even when you help a loved one make the decision to begin recovery, it doesn’t mean the struggle is over. There are still many weeks and months of difficulty and frustration to come. Fortunately, if you remain supportive, patient and compassionate, you can help them regain a life that’s happier, healthier and free from alcohol. More often than not, alcoholics aren’t ready to get help when it is offered to them. With patience and persistence from people who care, however, a person can eventually realize it’s time to get help for their alcohol use.
How to Talk to Your Spouse About Alcohol Use
Before the conversation, consult with a trusted person who can offer some tips, such as a faith leader, health professional, or a substance abuse counselor. If you’ve been covering up for your loved one and not talking about their addiction openly for a long time, it may seem daunting to reach out for help. However, it’s important to make sure you’re getting the support you need as well.
However, support for those who struggling with alcohol addiction if you know their family well and they have shared the same concerns with you, hearing from multiple people can help your friend realise they need help. AUD is a serious condition where someone is unable to control their use and consumption of alcohol. AUD is different to binge and problem drinking as it is an addiction and is a formal diagnosis that experts base on a set of symptoms.
Remember that relapse is part of recovery for many individuals, and your loved one may be one of them. Instead, relapse indicates that additional and/or a different form of treatment is necessary. Explain how their drinking could be affecting their health and how it will continue to cause harm. Express your concern for their well-being as someone who cares for them. If you feel that your relationship with your loved one is becoming dangerous or is threatening your health, get help for yourself right away. Worrying and stressing about your loved one can take a toll on your mind and body, so find ways to relieve the pressure.
Once they have agreed to go into treatment, your role as a supportive friend becomes even more important. Before diving into the conversation, it can be helpful to chat with mutual friends and ask if they have also noticed any problems with your friend’s drinking. This can give you a better sense of how long the issue has been going on and how serious it might be. In some cases, a person might believe someone they care about does not have AUD but still has a drinking problem. In these instances, the steps in this section may still be useful.
Step 5: Offer your support
Like AA, Al-Anon is a mutual-help group for the loved ones of those who struggle with alcohol misuse. Attending meetings, which are held all over the world, allow you to share your experience with others and find strength and hope from them and their experiences. Additionally, seeking therapy, either as a family, by yourself, or both, can also help you navigate recovery with your loved one.