If you have a loved one who is struggling with alcohol addiction, you may be feeling helpless and unsure of what to do. It can be difficult to watch someone you care about suffer, and you may feel like you are doing everything wrong. This article will discuss the steps you can take to provide support and get your loved ones the help they need.
Check Them Into Recovery
As soon as you notice signs of addiction, you need to convince your loved one to start the recovery process. Finding them a safe and comfortable rehab facility from where they’ll come out as a better version of themselves is the best way to go. These places will make sure your loved one is on constant watch and make sure they go through all the steps necessary to get better.
If they’re not ready to accept help, you’ll have to be persistent. Show them that you’re there for them and that you want what’s best for them. Let them know that checking into rehab is the best way to get their life back on track.
Learn About The Disease
Make sure to learn as much as you can about the disease of alcoholism. It is a progressive and chronic disease that often requires professional help to overcome. But, you can still be a huge support system for your loved ones as they go through treatment. Understand that addiction is not a choice and that recovery is possible.
Reading from credible sources, like the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, can help you understand alcoholism and how to best support your loved one.
This will give you insight on how to approach this subject and have more difficult conversations. It is also a way to show your loved ones that you are committed to learning about their disease and supporting them through recovery.
You can also look for resources from local organizations or online support groups. These communities can offer additional guidance on how to best support your loved ones as they recover from alcoholism.
Help Them Re-enter The World
Once they check out of rehab, it is important that you help them re-enter the world. This means helping them find a job, a place to live, and helping them get back on their feet. It is important to be there for them during this time, as they will be vulnerable and prone to relapse.
Offer your support and understanding, and be there for them when they need it. Helping them re-enter the world is one of the best things you can do to help a loved one struggling with alcohol addiction.
Run Errands On Them
You could also run certain errands while they’re adjusting to their new life. These are the following:
- Picking up their kids from school
- Going grocery shopping for them
- Doing laundry for them
- Paying bills that are due
- Mowing their lawn
Running smaller errands like these can help your loved one focus on getting better and staying sober. It’s important to not do everything for them, however. You want to encourage independence and not enable further dependence. Let them know that you’re there for support and offer assistance when needed, but ultimately let them take care of themselves as much as possible.
Encourage A Healthy Lifestyle
A healthy lifestyle will help your loved one avoid triggers and temptations that can lead to drinking. Suggest activities like regular exercise, eating healthy meals, and getting enough sleep. Help them find a hobby or activity that they enjoy and can do sober.
Creating structure in their day can also be helpful. encouraging a healthy lifestyle as a way to help your loved one struggling with alcohol addiction is important because it will give them something to focus on other than drinking. It will also help them avoid situations that may trigger a relapse.
Do the activities alongside your loved one to show your support. This will also give you quality time together that doesn’t revolve around drinking. Having fun and making memories together will help create a positive association with sobriety.
Be Patient
One of the most important things to remember is to always be patient. It takes a lot of strength and courage to admit that you have a problem and it definitely won’t be fixed overnight. There will be ups and downs, but as long as you remain patient and supportive, your loved one will slowly but surely start to get better.
For example, if you get annoyed because they’ve had a slip-up, try and understand that it’s part of the process, and getting angry will only make things worse. Trust that they are trying their best and have faith in the process.
Alcoholism is a dangerous disease which is why you have to make sure your loved ones go into recovery. Do some reading on alcoholism to better understand them and help the person re-enter the world when the time comes. Run errands for them while they’re adjusting and encourage a healthy lifestyle. Most importantly, always be patient with them as it will motivate them to further improve!
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