How to Help Someone with an Alcohol Addiction

Convey understanding by recognizing the challenges of battling alcohol addiction. For example, acknowledging the difficulty of changing long-standing habits reinforces empathy and keeps the individual engaged. Understanding these aspects is essential when exploring how to help someone with alcoholism, whether it’s through recognizing symptoms early or mitigating its effects on the family unit. These behavioral patterns indicate a neurological dependence rather than occasional unhealthy drinking habits. This online tool is designed to help consumers find quality treatment for alcohol use disorder (AUD).

• Creative activities like painting, sculpting, music, and writing can help people express their feelings and experiences in safe and healthy ways.
• No matter how severe the drinking problem is, treatment can help those with AUD quit alcohol and recover.
• If this conversation does not work, it may be necessary to stage an intervention with the support of a professional or others.
• However, rehabilitation facilities are incredibly important for people suffering from alcohol addiction.

Plan and Execute Interventions if Necessary

During the intervention, focus on expressing concern and offering support rather than blame to facilitate open communication. Your role shifts to support their recovery once your loved one begins treatment. Staying actively involved and maintaining a supportive environment can make a significant difference in their journey towards sobriety. Encourage your loved one to seek professional help and assist in finding treatment options. Alcoholism is a term used to describe someone with an alcohol use disorder. Someone with alcoholism has both a physical and psychological dependence on alcohol.

Medical detox can occur at a residential facility, a separate treatment facility, or even at home, depending on the severity of your alcohol addiction. Alcohol withdrawal can be dangerous without appropriate medical intervention. In moderate to severe cases of AUD, medical detox is necessary to help you safely get all alcohol out of your system. It’s important to know and understand the differences between alcohol abuse vs. alcoholism. Typically, a diagnosis of alcohol use disorder doesn’t require a diagnostic test.

Like many other health conditions, substance use disorder disrupts the usual functioning of organs in the body, has serious harmful effects, and may be preventable and treatable. This evaluation includes assessing whether the individual has experienced cravings, loss of control, and continued use despite negative consequences, including substance use disorder. Physical symptoms are often clear indicators of alcohol use disorder.

Provide emotional support and help with arrangements for treatment. Reinforce the importance of continuous improvement and the benefits of professional help. A supportive home environment fosters long-term sobriety by providing a safe space for recovery. The support from family services can create a healing environment that aids recovery. A well-assembled team can provide a strong network to offer support, helping to convey the seriousness of the situation and the collective desire for the loved one to seek treatment.

Post-Treatment AUD Support Programs

Relapse is an expected part of the recovery process as you work toward recovery. Drugs used for other conditions — like smoking, pain, or epilepsy — also may help with alcohol use disorder. Talk to your doctor to see if one of those might be right for you. Others may want one-on-one therapy for a longer time to deal with issues like anxiety or depression.

• Among alcoholics, 37% have at least one serious mental health disorder, such as bipolar disorder.
• If you do not have access to a phone, contact Web Poison Control Services for online assistance.
• These positive changes can help aid your loved one on the path to recovery and help continue your relationship without codependency.
• This will help avoid temptation and create a safe space for your loved one.
• These signs may appear after major life changes or the development of mental disorders that they’re trying to cope with.

Tips for talking to an alcoholic about their drinking: Things that can HELP

Help is available for substance use disorder, regardless of the severity. Substance use disorder can range from mild to severe, depending on the number of criteria a person meets. The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th edition, text revision (DSM-5-TR) outlines criteria for substance use disorder.

Medical Disclaimer

These advances could optimize how treatment decisions are made in the future. However, like many substance use disorders, AUD is a treatable health condition. how to help someone with alcohol use disorder addiction to alcohol AUD is usually treated with a solid support system, detoxification, behavioral therapy, and additional care to encourage successful recovery.

Alcoholism is a common and different term for alcohol use disorder. Milder cases — when people abuse alcohol but aren’t dependent on it — are as well. Trying to tough it out on your own can be like trying to cure appendicitis with cheerful thoughts.

However, a combination of behavioral therapy, medication, and rehabilitation (inpatient or outpatient) can often be the ideal solution for someone recovering from alcohol use disorder. Alcohol dependence occurs when a person’s body develops a tolerance for alcohol, and they need to consume more of it to feel its effects. Physical dependence can result in cravings and can cause users to experience withdrawal symptoms if they go too long between drinking sessions.

Alcohol problems often develop slowly, and a person’s behavior may not change much until symptoms become severe. Attempting to hide alcohol use or prevent others from discovering how much they drink may be a common early sign, but it can be difficult to detect. Worsening mental health might also be an indicator that a person is consuming more alcohol than is safe. It can be comforting to have friends and family by your side when going through treatment. To extend this comfort to your friend or family, try attending counseling or a meeting with them.

Alcohol-induced skin reactions are not common, but they can happen. Rashes, flushing, redness, and itching are some of the most common reactions. Limiting or avoiding alcohol can help, and talking to a healthcare professional can provide more information and treatment options. Depending on the type of substance use disorder you have, the first stage of treatment may be medically assisted detoxification.

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. Setbacks can be common, so you will want to know how they are addressed. For more information on a return to drinking, see An Ongoing Process. The three-step road map outlined in the NIAAA Alcohol Treatment Navigator offers expert guidance to focus and support your efforts. Learn how to find higher quality, science-backed alcohol treatment to raise your changes for success.