If you say you are concerned but have no solid reasoning, your loved one isn’t likely to take you seriously. Often they struggle with depression or anxiety and drink as a way to self-medicate. It is important to acknowledge that you think there may be an underlying mental health issue that results in drinking. Try not to sound accusatory, especially if the person may not know they suffer from depression or anxiety. Instead, ask them gently if they think there could be a contributing cause to their drinking.

Recovery from alcoholism or a drinking problem can be a bumpy road. About half the people who complete alcohol abuse treatment for the first time stay alcohol-free, https://ecosoberhouse.com/ while the other half relapse and return to drinking at some point. It’s common for people to require treatment more than once to finally achieve sobriety.

Get Help for Alcohol Addiction at Gateway Foundation

They are prescribed by a primary care physician or other health professional and may be used alone or in combination with counseling. While it’s important to be open and honest about your concerns, you need to remember that you cannot force someone to stop abusing alcohol. As much as you may want to, and as hard as it is to watch, you cannot make someone stop drinking. What you can do, though, is offer them steps they can take to address their problem—whether that’s calling a helpline, talking to a doctor or counsellor, entering treatment, or going to a group meeting. Medicines are usually used with talk therapy and support groups to treat alcohol use disorder. The medicines are usually taken once people have stopped drinking to help keep them from starting to drink again.

• Growing up in a home where alcohol use is common, can leave lasting scars.
• The challenge with addiction is that the addict is not the only one impacted by this disease.
• Aside from her fame as Princess Leia in “Star Wars,” Carrie Fisher was also known for bringing awareness to drug and alcohol addiction by opening up about her battle with substances and recovery.
• By Buddy T

  Buddy T is a writer and founding member of the Online Al-Anon Outreach Committee with decades of experience writing about alcoholism.

Until they begin to contemplate quitting, any actions you take to “help” them quit will often be met with resistance. Substance use disorder is a primary, chronic, and progressive disease that sometimes can be fatal. No matter your background or expertise, your loved one will likely need outside help.

How Long Does Alcohol Stay in Your System?

In programs like Alcoholics Anonymous, alcoholics can replace an unhealthy network of drinking buddies with a group of authentic, recovering friends. They’ll learn what it means to break old habits, how to take new and better action, and to live by spiritual principles (think honesty, responsibility, integrity, and humility). Supporting an alcoholic by taking them to a meeting can be beneficial to their recovery.

• It’s also important to pay attention to your non-verbal communication.
• Have the conversation in a place where you know you’ll have quiet and privacy.
• Help your loved one plan how they’re going to avoid triggers to drink, deal with alcohol cravings, and cope in social situations where there’s pressure to drink.

This summary was prepared by the John M. Eisenberg Center for Clinical Decisions and Communications Science at Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX. It was written by Amelia Williamson Smith, M.S., Thomas Kosten, M.D., and Michael Fordis, M.D. People with alcohol use disorder reviewed this summary. There are stark differences in how the body and brain respond to alcohol and different drugs. “Things that I thought I would never gain again, through the process of recovery I have them all,” she said. “Today I’m a homeowner, I own a car, I started my own business.” “We are literally surrounded by people who are in recovery from a substance-use disorder, but we don’t know it,” Kelly said.

Related Resources

World-famous horror novelist Stephen King battled alcohol addiction for a considerable period of time. In 1987, King sought help to quit all forms of alcohol and drugs, becoming one of many Alcoholics Anonymous celebrities who would find recovery. He told the Hollywood reporter, “I was drinking a lot, way too much,” before acknowledging how fame affected him — “I mean, you’re in your 20s, single, going through life in Hollywood, you know?

Watching a family member, friend, or coworker with an alcohol use disorder can be difficult. You might wonder what you can do to change the situation, and whether or not the person even wants your help. These resources can also help you learn and remember the importance of setting healthy boundaries when dealing with someone with an AUD.

The sooner you recognize there may be a problem and talk to your healthcare provider, the better your recovery chances. If you drink more alcohol than that, consider cutting back or quitting. Talk to your healthcare provider about proven strategies.

At Gateway, our compassionate team of experts can help you reach sobriety and continue down a healthy path. There are a number of treatment options that can effectively treat addiction. Encourage your friend or loved one to talk to their doctor about using treatment programs, online therapy, or support groups as support for those who struggling with alcohol addiction part of their recovery. Standing by your friend or family member’s progress during and after treatment is important, too. Even after recovery, your person will be in situations they can’t predict. Ways you can help include avoiding alcohol when you’re together or opting out of drinking in social situations.