10 Ways to Support Someone Who Is Trying to Quit Drinking

"You can't make an addict stop," you've probably heard if you or someone you care about has gone through alcohol or drug rehab. They'll only come to a halt when they're ready."

While the addict is the only one who can stop drinking on their own, loved ones can still try to reduce addictive habits by taking certain actions. The approaches listed below may assist you in bringing your loved one's drinking or drug problem to light. Here are some suggestions for assisting an alcoholic in quitting drinking.

A Quick Look at the Article:

* Good communication and encouraging someone to discuss why they drink can aid in quitting alcohol.

* More effective than issuing an ultimatum is citing specific examples of the impacts of someone's drinking.

* Speaking with someone who has successfully quit drinking can make a person feel less alone in their alcoholism.

* Never drink in the presence of someone who has an alcohol problem or allow them to drink.

* Provide treatment services and stay at your loved one's side as they struggle to quit drinking.

1. Establish communication channels.

Unless you express your care, the person you're concerned about will never know. This may be an awkward conversation for both you and the drinker, but it is one that must be had. This could be referred to as a "intervention" or simply a discussion. Interventions are usually more serious and include more persons who are concerned, thus it depends on the circumstances. Whether it's through an intervention or a chat, the goal is the same: draw attention to a loved one's drinking and hope they understand why you're concerned. They'll be one step closer to recovery if they can.

2. Make it comfortable for them to discuss the underlying cause of their drinking.

People rarely drink only for the sake of drinking. They frequently suffer from depression or anxiety and use alcohol as a kind of self-medication. It's critical to admit that you believe there's an underlying mental health issue that leads to drinking. Try not to come across as accusing, especially if the person doesn't realize they're depressed or anxious. Instead, kindly inquire if they believe there is a contributing cause to their drinking. Assess their reaction and proceed from there.

3. Be prepared to give specific instances of why you believe there is an issue.

Spend some time thinking about the reasons you are concerned about someone's drug or alcohol use before confronting them. When you're having a talk with your loved ones, be prepared to use these as examples. If you say you're worried but don't have any evidence, your loved one is unlikely to believe you.

4. Never give an ultimatum.

A person with a drinking problem will almost always pick alcohol above any other option, resulting in increased stress, frustration, and agony. Instead of giving ultimatums, give advice or aid options. This entails doing your homework ahead of time and understanding which services to suggest a loved one to, as well as knowing who to contact for assistance.

5. Don't pass judgment or put others down.

In this circumstance, increasing an addict's shame or diminishing their self-esteem would not help. Keep in mind that alcoholism is a sickness. If you haven't gone through it, try not to pass judgment when someone you care about is going through it. Not only do you lack firsthand knowledge, but you may also cause more harm than good. Shaming an addict would just encourage them to turn to anything that soothes their emotions, which is most likely alcohol. In the end, the approach of condemnation and shame does no one any good.

6. Make the most of the people in your life.

Speak with someone you know who has successfully quit drinking. Inquire about how they eventually came to terms with their condition and how they were approached at first. Of course, what works for one individual may or may not work for another. However,

7. Provide your loved one with resources.

If you have a starting point, sobriety and recovery will appear a lot less frightening. Prepare to refer them to a treatment program or online resources that you believe would be a good fit for them. There is so much information regarding recovery that it can be difficult to know where to begin in the early stages of recovery. Your loved one will be more likely to benefit from the effort you've invested into their well-being if you can make that chore a bit more bearable.

8. Don't drink in the presence of the person.

It would be highly impolite and unhelpful to drink alcohol in someone's presence after approaching them about their probable alcohol problem. Drinking in the presence of the person may encourage them to drink or make them assume you aren't serious about your concerns. This isn't to mean that you can't drink alcohol.

9. Do not allow them to be enabled.

Enabling an addict means that your actions make it possible for them to continue using. This could entail making excuses for them or rescuing them from trouble. While practicing harsh love can be unpleasant, it will ultimately benefit the addict. The longer people allow their misuse to continue, the more they will profit from it. Enabling an addict can also imply doing things for them that they are perfectly capable of accomplishing themselves. Learning to be self-sufficient is an important part of treatment and sobriety, and it's a skill that will never be perfected if someone continues to take on an addict's duties.

10. Be supportive of them throughout their recovery, no matter what.

Show them that you are proud of them and that you will be there for them throughout their path, whether they need therapy or need to attend meetings and support groups. This is frequently the case as well.

Medical Disclaimer:

With fact-based content about the nature of behavioral health issues, treatment alternatives, and their related results, The Recovery Village works to improve the quality of life for persons living with a substance use or mental health disorder. Licensed medical professionals study, cite, edit, and review the content we publish. We do not intend for the information we give to be used in place of professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. It should not be used as a substitute for medical advice from a doctor or other qualified healthcare provider.