It’s natural to want to support a close friend or loved one when they’re facing a challenge, especially when that challenge involves a drinking problem. However, the situation can become more complex if your loved one doesn’t recognize the issue. Alcoholism is a common example.
If you suspect a loved one has a drinking problem, you may see the signs but feel uncertain about how to offer help. You might even question whether it’s truly a problem. Additionally, you might hesitate to bring it up out of fear of angering or offending them.
Despite this, it’s important to address the issue if you believe there’s a serious concern. If you’re worried about a loved one’s drinking habits or substance abuse in general, it’s best not to delay the conversation. Ignoring the problem is likely to make it worse over time.
So, how should you approach it? What should you say, and when? These are crucial questions that need to be considered, but first, it’s essential to assess the situation and determine whether there truly is a problem.
What Qualifies as a Drinking Problem?
While the number of drinks a person consumes can indicate whether they might be overindulging, it’s more important to assess how drinking impacts their day-to-day life. For example, signs of a drinking problem may include missing commitments or social activities, or experiencing difficulties in relationships due to alcohol use.
Guidelines suggest that men should limit their alcohol intake to 14 drinks per week, and women to 7 drinks per week to minimize health risks. However, the key concern is how alcohol affects an individual’s social and professional life.
“A good indicator is that something is out of whack. Is your personal life deteriorating because of your drinking? Are people starting to shun you? If you’re feeling generally miserable, that’s a warning sign,” says Dr. George Koob, director of the NIH’s National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism.
To identify whether someone has an alcohol use disorder, consider asking the following questions:
In the past year, has the person:
Excessive drinking can result in numerous health issues, including short-term disruptions in mood and cognitive abilities. Long-term effects can be more severe, causing heart problems like irregular heartbeat, stroke, and high blood pressure, as well as liver damage, including cirrhosis. Heavy drinking also increases the risk of various cancers, such as oral, colon, liver, and breast cancer.
Given these risks, it’s essential not to delay seeking help if a loved one is struggling with an alcohol use disorder.
What Qualifies as a Drinking Problem?
After determining that your loved one has a drinking issue, it can be difficult to know what steps to take. To navigate this situation, it may be helpful to first focus on what not to do:
Talking to a loved one about their drinking is not easy. The best approach is to find a time when they’re sober to have the conversation.
When addressing a loved one’s drinking problem, the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA) suggests focusing on three core therapeutic principles: empathy, goals, and choice.
Empathy
Traditional approaches to alcohol treatment often relied on confrontational methods aimed at “breaking through” denial, but the NIAAA indicates that research doesn’t support this strategy. Instead, it’s more effective to convey understanding and support, encouraging your loved one to openly discuss their drinking and explore the associated issues.
Goals
Setting clear goals during discussions about drinking can be helpful. For instance, mentioning loved ones, like children or friends, can serve as motivation for your loved one to work toward sobriety.
Choices
Offering a range of treatment options gives your loved one a sense of control over their recovery. By allowing them to choose their path to sobriety, you empower them to take responsibility while still addressing their drinking problem.
Staging an Intervention
An intervention is a tool often used to help individuals recognize their problematic behavior and motivate them to seek treatment for substance abuse. Supporting a loved one dealing with addiction can be challenging, especially when they fail to acknowledge the issue. In such cases, an intervention may be the most effective approach.
An intervention is a structured process, typically conducted by friends and family, with guidance from a medical professional. During this meeting, loved ones address the consequences of the person’s addiction and encourage them to accept treatment. It’s important to note that interventions can be highly stressful and may lead to anger, resentment, or feelings of betrayal.
Steps for an Intervention
- Make a Plan — Start by discussing the idea of an intervention with other family members and friends. This should involve consulting a counselor, addiction professional, or medical expert.
- Gather Information — Research treatment options and facilities to ensure you have resources ready to offer your loved one.
- Involve Others — Bring in close friends and family members to participate. Schedule the intervention and create a unified message. Some interventions also involve an addiction specialist.
- Set Boundaries — Decide on the consequences if your loved one refuses treatment. Establish clear boundaries that everyone agrees on.
- Prepare What to Say — Each participant should share specific incidents that highlight how the addiction has impacted their relationship with the person, helping them see the harm caused by their drinking.
- Hold the Intervention — Gather at the chosen location and express your concerns. Present the treatment options and ask your loved one to accept one. Giving them control over the choice of treatment is essential.
- Follow-Up — Many treatment programs involve family members to prevent relapse. After treatment, ongoing support is crucial to help your loved one maintain sobriety.
Careful planning is vital for a successful intervention. If not handled properly, an intervention can backfire and worsen the situation.
Interventions for Youth
According to the NIAAA, 1.4 million youth aged 12 to 17 meet the criteria for alcohol abuse and dependence. However, fewer than a quarter million of these adolescents receive any form of treatment for their disorder.
Unsuccessful Intervention
Not all interventions result in success. In some cases, a person may simply refuse the proposed treatment plan. It’s essential to be prepared for this possibility while still maintaining hope for positive change.
Helping After Rehab
Sobriety is a lifelong journey, not something that is fully resolved after completing a rehabilitation program. While relapse is common, it is not inevitable. Social support plays a key role in long-term recovery. A study published in the Journal of Psychoactive Drugs emphasizes that support from family and friends is a critical factor in recovery, particularly over the long term.
“Recovery is a dynamic process that evolves over time, making varying demands on coping strategies and creating stress. Social support has several benefits, such as buffering stress and providing recovering individuals with hope, coping strategies, and role models, which strengthen them during difficult times,” the study noted.
While family and friends play a crucial role in helping someone maintain sobriety, many may be unsure how to assist in the recovery process. Their primary role is to offer social support and motivation, helping those with substance use problems avoid relapse. This support can be vital even during rehab, encouraging individuals to stay on course.
In some treatment centers, counselors incorporate family members in therapy sessions to educate and support both the recovering individual and their loved ones. Evidence suggests that substance abuse treatment involving family therapy is more effective than treatment without it. It improves engagement and retention, reduces substance use, enhances family and social functioning, and decreases the risk of relapse.
In Conclusion
Alcohol use disorder is a serious issue that requires timely intervention. Left unaddressed, excessive drinking can result in numerous harmful health effects. If someone you care about is struggling with alcohol abuse, Sunrise Recovery offers support. Our team of medical professionals employs evidence-based, holistic treatment approaches to help individuals achieve lasting sobriety.
For more information on a personalized recovery plan and how Sunrise Recovery in Clarksville Indiana can assist, please visit our website or contact our admissions team at +1 (877) 978 – 6747.
