Being confronted with alcohol addiction is overwhelming for the sufferer and their loved ones and if you’re playing the supportive role, chances are that you will be facing a number of challenges at this difficult time.
The other person might not be ready to admit that they have a problem, maybe they know they have an addiction but aren’t quite ready to get help, perhaps they’ve fallen off the wagon and you don’t know what to do next or maybe they’ve just started treatment and you’re worried about what the future holds.
Whether you’re a friend, colleague, family member or partner of an alcoholic, there are a number of ways you can show your support. The points mentioned below may help you guide your loved one into alcohol addiction recovery.
Offer your support
You may feel anger or resentment towards your loved one at this time because they have more than likely done some hurtful things. Maybe they’ve lied to you, stolen from you, haven’t been there for the family or they’ve been physically or emotionally abusive when drunk.
As hard as it may be, try to remember than addiction is a condition and right now, a flexible and caring approach rather than a harsh one is crucial. Try to be non-confrontational and persuasive. Accept that it will be a difficult situation and expect the person to be defensive and hostile. At the same time, being too soft and gentle can also be a problem. This is an area where receiving guidance and counsel can be helpful.
You may be frightened or angry but avoid blame and angry confrontations. The person needs to be able to focus on what is being said, not how it is being said. Begin at the outset by expressing your deep concern and your commitment to help and support them in taking positive action.
Encourage your partner to get help
Alcohol addiction is typically always the result of a life event in the past or present which the sufferer is struggling to deal with. This may be childhood abuse, divorce, losing a job or struggling to come to terms with the death of a loved one. Until the cause has been identified, long term recovery is almost impossible which is why alcohol addiction treatment is so important.
As well as helping to determine the underlying cause, therapy will also help the person to identify their triggers and put coping mechanisms in place to help avoid relapse.
Don’t enable them
By sitting back and tolerating your loved one’s behavior, you’re merely enabling it. While you are going to have to be understanding at this time, don’t let the other person get away with things they shouldn’t be doing.
This is particularly important in romantic relationships. Often, when one partner is battling an addiction, the other person becomes the enabler so it’s important that you try and draw a line between supportive and enabling behavior. Making excuses for harmful, abusive or dangerous tendencies sends the message that you’re willing to accept your partner’s behavior and this will give them all the more reason to put off getting the help they need.
If you have to, consider an intervention
Alcoholism responds best to early intervention and needs to be confronted as soon as possible for the best outcome. All too often, alcohol addiction is ignored until there is a major crisis and serious health risks such as brain damage and liver damage are present.
If you know that somebody needs help but they won’t face up to it, your only hope may be to stage an intervention.
A group can have more impact and if each person is armed with specific facts, the effect can be powerful. If you’re worried about confronting the person as a group, several people over the course of a couple of weeks can approach the person suggesting the need for help.
If you would like more information about alcohol addiction Toronto, please feel free to contact us in the strictest of confidence and we will be more than happy to help.
