Watching your loved ones struggling with alcoholism can be extremely painful and challenging. The problem not only affects the person but also affects the mental health and well-being of the entire family.
It is important to remember that such a person can be treated in a variety of ways and there is always help available. However, without fully understanding the alcohol disorder, it can be hard to help someone who is dealing with such an addiction.
What is Alcoholism?
Alcoholism, also known as alcohol use disorder, is a condition marked by excessive consumption of alcohol where one can no longer control their use of alcohol. This in turn results in mental, and a variety of other health problems.
What Causes Alcoholism?
Once you have learned about the concept of alcoholism, it is also important to know the causes that might lead to this addiction. Some of the most common internal and external factors that might cause alcoholism are mentioned below:
Mental Health Problems
Depression, bipolar disorder, and certain anxiety disorders are the most common conditions that increase the risk of alcohol abuse. Some people also start drinking to cope with stress and difficult situations. Alcohol supposedly gives them a relaxing feel and eases their minds. When this happens, they consider it impossible to live without alcohol.
Family History
The chances to develop an alcohol addiction also increases if the problem runs in the family. Recent studies have shown that if someone has an alcoholism gene, it increases the risk of addiction.
However, alcoholism does not necessarily have to be in genetics for you to become addicted. Simply being around family members who are heavy drinkers might lead you to start doing the same.
Drinking at an Early Age
Adolescents today are more vulnerable to developing alcoholism than adults. Therefore, if someone starts experimenting with alcohol at an early age, they are at a higher risk of developing alcoholism. To prevent it effectively, parents need to teach their children about the dangers of excessive drinking so they can avoid such habits in the future.
History of Trauma
People who have experienced traumatic events such as physical or sexual abuse are more likely to develop problems with alcohol or other related substances in the long run.
Taking Alcohol with Medication
Mixing alcohol with medication is a common practice among people with alcohol abuse. Such a habit does not only cause addiction but will also lead to health problems that include nausea, high blood pressure, dizziness, etc.
What are the Symptoms?
It is important to know the symptoms of alcohol abuse. These will help you recognize when you must intervene and seek professional help of either a recovery coach or someone who is experienced in treating alcoholism.
● Start missing work and neglecting their responsibilities at home
● Drinking excessively i.e. 4 to 5 times a week
● Start neglecting personal hygiene
● Not eating properly
● Lie about how much they’re drinking or become violent when asked about their drinking habits
● Doesn’t remember what they said or did after drinking
How to Get Sober & Clean? – Recovery Options
The best thing one can do for their health and well-being is to stop drinking altogether. Although quitting alcohol might seem a daunting task but here are a few tips that will help your loved one get started:
Join a Support Group
12 step and other support groups can be beneficial as they help people in recovery and cope with the challenges of getting sober through behavioral therapies, individual and group coaching sessions. You can also get connected to people who have had similar problems and share their experiences.
Contact a Rehab Facility
A rehab facility can help overcome alcoholism in the most structured environments. Rehab involves different treatments and therapies that can aid in coping with the triggers and the urges to drink.
Rehab can be done in two different types of settings, outpatient and inpatient. Which one is most suitable? That actually depends on the severity of the person’s addiction to alcohol.
Detoxification
Drug detox can be challenging and preferably be administered by medical professionals at rehab facilities. However, if you have decided to do it at home then it’s important to know how to detox from alcohol and how it can be done safely.
Here we have a couple of factors to keep in mind during self-detox:
● The most critical first step is to remove alcohol from home and choose an alternative that does not involve alcohol. It can be either focusing on a hobby or a skill that you might have enjoyed once
● It is also necessary to take a few days off from work or any other responsibilities and only focus on the recovery
● Alcohol withdrawal causes many different symptoms including fatigue, nausea, and vomiting. So make sure to focus on hydration and practice a well-balanced healthy diet
Helping your Loved One with an Alcohol Addiction
If your loved one has an alcohol abuse problem, the first step to help them is to learn all you can about alcohol abuse, talk to them and when necessary, seek professional help immediately.
One of the most important things that you can do for them is to let them know they are not alone in their struggle to overcome alcohol addiction. Do not shut them away and be a good support system for them.
Other things that you can do for them are:
● Be empathetic when approaching them and listen to them with honesty and compassion
● Let them know you’re there if they need someone to talk to
● Encourage them to open up to you about the reasons for their drinking problem
● Support their recovery
● Suggest to them to meet with a recovery guide or coach.
The support of loved ones is a significant part of the recovery process. Helping someone with an alcohol abuse problem might be a difficult task but it is not impossible. With the right resources, you can certainly help your loved one start a new life that is free of alcoholism.
Michael Herbert, The Recovery Guide, has more than 30 years of experience working closely with individuals and families dealing with addiction and recovery issues. He is a seasoned Coach and can help you and your family establish long-term goals and access the tools you need for continued abstinence and recovery for the entire family. Get in touch with Michael today at 561-221-7677 to schedule an appointment.
