Someone you know is struggling with an alcohol use disorder. Are they a functioning alcoholic? Should you say something? Is there something you should do today? Here’s how to help an alcoholic whether in touch with the reality of the disease or in denial.
Understand That It Isn’t Your Fault
Blaming yourself is easy. If you had been a better spouse, maybe the problem wouldn’t be there. Others believe that they could have been more responsive to a loved one’s needs. The reality is different.
Your loved one struggles with an addiction that has physiological and psychological symptoms. One of the most severe signs of the disorder is an inability to stop alcohol abuse. They may have promised to cut back or quit altogether. Due to the nature of the condition, they broke these promises quickly.
How to Help an Alcoholic Who’s in Denial
Your loved one is a functioning alcoholic. They maintain a job, pay the bills, and participates in many social events. Almost all people in this category deny that they have a problem with drinking. It’s time to stop the enablement.
Learning how to help an alcoholic in denial requires you to quit making excuses or hiding evidence of drunkenness. Don’t take time off from your job to help tend to a particularly bad hangover. Don’t buy alcohol or accompany your loved one to bars. Most importantly, if someone asks if the functioning alcoholic drinks too much, answer honestly.
Working with Someone Who Admits to Having a Problem
Your loved one is powerless to quit drinking. They sincerely want to stop. Besides that, they might be afraid of the withdrawal symptoms. Work together to find a good-quality rehab facility that offers evidence-based care.
Examples of modalities include:
- Medically managed detox for a safe and pain-free experience
- 12 step program setups that encourage peer support and relapse prevention training
- Dual diagnosis treatment for program participants with co-occurring mental health problems
- Behavioral therapy that gives your loved one tools to change dysfunctional patterns
- Family therapy program, which helps to mend relationships with those who are closest to your loved one
Pick a facility that’s in-network with several large insurers. It signals that the level of care you receive is up to current medical standards.
What Happens after Rehab?
Your loved one’s addiction to alcohol doesn’t have a cure. Beating the condition into remission is possible. Therefore, don’t allow any alcohol in the home after your loved one returns from rehab. It’s perfectly fine to ask friends and family members not to serve alcohol to your loved one.
It’s vital that they continue with the 12 Step meetings they started attending at rehab. Moreover, ensure that someone with a dual diagnosis also continues to seek psychiatric care. Now that you know how to help an alcoholic, isn’t it time to reach out for help? Casa Palmera is the rehab and alcohol detox center Los Angeles talks about. Contact us today for assistance.
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