It can be difficult to come to terms with the fact that a loved one has an alcohol problem. In fact, according to a study published in the journal Social Work in Public Health, substance abuse disorder (SUD) impacts the entire family and leads to adverse outcomes for both the children and adults involved
You may feel like you have failed them in some way or that you could have done more to prevent it. However, it is essential to remember that addiction is a disease, and like any other disease, it requires treatment.
The first step in treating alcoholism is admitting that there is a problem. The second step is getting your loved one into rehabilitation. Here are five gradual steps you can take to help them get the help they need.
1. Schedule an intervention.
An intervention is a meeting in which you, along with other family members and friends, confront your loved one about their alcohol problems and their negative effects on their lives and those around them. The goal of an intervention is to get your loved one to agree to enter rehabilitation.
You can do a few things to make sure the intervention goes as smoothly as possible. First, make sure you have a plan. Know what you want to say and how you want to say it. Second, try to get as many family members and friends as possible to participate. The more people there are, the more pressure your loved one will feel to agree to treatment.
Finally, be prepared for resistance. Your loved one may not want to admit they have a problem or may be resistant to getting help. Stay calm and be patient. Keep talking until they either agree to get help or walk out of the room. If they walk out, don’t give up. Schedule another intervention and keep trying until they agree to get help.
2. Choose the right rehabilitation facility.
There are different types of rehabilitation facilities, so it is important to do your research to find one that will be the best fit for your loved one’s needs. For example, if your loved one is struggling with a co-occurring mental health disorder, you will want to find a facility that specializes in treating both conditions.
In most cases, alcohol rehab programs would be the best option. These programs usually last between 28 and 90 days and are designed to help people detox from alcohol, learn about addiction and recovery, and develop coping skills to deal with triggers and cravings.
Make sure you tour a few different facilities before making a decision. And if possible, try to get input from your loved one’s doctor or therapist. They can offer guidance on which facility would be the best fit.
3. Help them through the withdrawal stage.
Withdrawal is often the most challenging part of rehabilitation for people with all kinds of addictions, including alcoholism. Symptoms can include everything from nausea and vomiting to anxiety and depression. Being there for your loved one and encouraging them to stick with treatment during this difficult time is essential.
If your loved one is experiencing withdrawal symptoms, consider seeking medical help if the symptoms become severe. You may also want to consider hiring a nurse or therapist to help monitor your loved one during detox.
In addition, you can do a few things to help relieve some symptoms. For example, if your loved one is experiencing nausea, you can give them ginger ale or crackers to eat. You can offer counseling or therapy sessions if they are experiencing anxiety or depression. And if they are experiencing shakiness, you can give them gentle exercises to do or calm music to listen to.
Be patient and supportive during this difficult time. Withdrawal can be tough on the body and mind, but it will improve with time.
4. Assist them in developing healthy coping mechanisms.
One of the goals of rehabilitation is to help people with alcoholism learn how to cope with stress and other triggers without turning to substances. People can use many healthy coping mechanisms, such as exercise, journaling, and meditation. You can help your loved ones by finding activities that they enjoy and encouraging them to participate in them regularly.
For example, if your loved one enjoys hiking, you can go on hikes with them or join a hiking group. If they enjoy painting, you can buy them art supplies and encourage them to paint whenever they feel the urge to drink. And if they enjoy attending support groups, you can drive them to and from the meetings.
The most important thing is to be supportive and encourage your loved one to find healthy coping mechanisms that work for them.
5. Provide continued support after rehabilitation.
The road to recovery from addiction is long and winding. There will be setbacks along the way, but providing continued support for your loved ones is crucial even after completing rehabilitation. This can include attending therapy sessions together or simply being there for them when they need someone to talk to.
In addition, you can help your loved one by creating a support system of friends and family members who are also committed to sobriety. This will give them a network of people to lean on when things get tough.
Finally, you can continue to support your loved one by attending Alcoholics Anonymous or Al-Anon meetings. These meetings can guide you on how to best support your loved one and give you a chance to meet other people going through similar situations.
Rehabilitation is just the beginning of the journey to sobriety. It is important to provide continued support for your loved ones as they navigate this difficult road.
If you have a loved one struggling with alcoholism and addiction, it is vital to remember that you are not alone. There are many resources available to help you through this difficult time. These five gradual steps can help you get your loved one into rehabilitation, so they can begin the journey toward recovery.
