Rebecca Smith
How To Deal With Alcoholic Family Member – It’s sad to see someone struggling with alcoholism, but the struggle is even greater when it’s someone they love. Even when things seem lost, they are not. There are many ways to help an alcoholic family member.
Alcoholism is a term used to describe people with alcohol use disorder (AUD). Alcohol use disorder is a pattern of alcohol use that involves controlling drinking, preoccupation with alcohol, and continued use despite personal and professional consequences. It involves drinking more to achieve the desired effect (also known as tolerance) and experiencing withdrawal symptoms after suddenly stopping or reducing alcohol use. People with alcohol use disorders have a physical and psychological dependence on alcohol.
How To Deal With Alcoholic Family Member
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Guide For Family Members
The severity of alcohol use disorder can be mild, moderate, severe. A mild alcohol use disorder can quickly develop into a more severe alcohol use disorder. The sooner a person decides to seek treatment for their alcoholism disorder, the more likely they are to develop a serious addiction. Alcoholism is not a choice that can be easily controlled because it is a compulsion. A drunk can’t stop drinking on his own without help.
Many alcoholics believe that drinking only affects themselves. However, when one family member develops an alcohol use disorder, it affects the entire family. Family dynamics, including mental and physical health, as well as finances, are negatively affected by a loved one’s alcoholism. Often, the environment at home becomes unpredictable or even stressful. Common responses from family members may include making excuses for their loved one’s drinking, denying the problem, or trying to control their loved one’s behavior. As a family member, you may be wondering what you can do to change or help the situation. Sometimes, you may ask yourself if your loved one needs help. Alcoholism is a disease that must be treated with compassion and care. Here are 10 tips to help family members with alcohol use disorders:
The first and most important step is to learn about alcohol use disorders. By better understanding the disease of addiction, people can find out if their loved ones really have an alcohol use disorder or alcoholism. Alcohol use disorder is more than just heavy drinking. Alcoholism develops slowly over time and often runs in families.
The true cause of alcoholism is still unknown; However, when people drink alcohol too often, the effects develop when there are chemical changes in the brain. When chemical changes occur, it increases the release of dopamine in the brain, resulting in increased feelings of pleasure, making one want to drink more often and more, despite personal or professional reasons. Over time, the pleasant sensations associated with drinking disappear, leaving the person in a state where they need to drink as a way to feel “normal” and prevent withdrawal symptoms. As a family member, the more you know about alcoholism, the better, so you can try to understand what your loved one is going through. The next step is to prepare to talk to your loved one.
Dealing With Alcohol Dependence As A Family Member
We encourage you to take the time to write down what you want to say to your loved one. Try to be supportive and remind them that you care, avoiding negative or harsh statements. When using the “I” statement, it is best to put it into the word of the specific concern you have. When we use the “I” statement, it lessens the accusation and allows us to express our feelings. Examples include, “I really care about you. I care about your drinking and I’m worried.” It’s important to show respect while being supportive, but it’s also recommended to prepare for different responses. You may not get the answer you were hoping for. Don’t give up hope, because when you express your concerns, you give yourself the opportunity to share your feelings and be heard.
When you’re ready to talk about support and concerns with family members, make sure your loved one is calm. So, they are consistent and have the ability to listen and understand you and your concerns. Also be specific about where you want to talk. Make sure you choose a safe place for the conversation so that you have privacy without interruption.
Being honest, open and kind can go a long way in sharing your concerns with your loved one about alcoholism. Be prepared to be defensive. If possible, try to play with resistance. Share your concerns sympathetically while offering support to family members. Make sure to listen carefully and don’t interrupt when they are talking. This allows open communication and encourages honesty and trust.
It is important to be empathetic, kind and understanding. Make sure you are there to help your family members as much as possible. Honest. Imagine what it would be like to be in someone else’s shoes and show that empathy when expressing yourself. The best outcome is that your family members agree to treatment. Providing a list of home care options can be helpful. If your loved one agrees to resign or withdraw, make sure they make an honest commitment​​​​​​​​ and follow through on that commitment. It is important to hold your family members accountable for the decision to change. Remember, actions speak louder than words.
Al Anon And Family Support For Alcoholism
Having a private conversation with a loved one about your concerns about drinking doesn’t have to be acknowledged. If your loved one is resistant or unwilling to admit they have a problem, it may be helpful to meet with an addiction professional to plan an intervention. Interventions for alcohol use disorders include addiction professionals, family members, co-workers, close friends and loved ones working together to encourage loved ones to enter treatment. They first meet, on paper, what they want to share and follow the consequences if their loved ones do not agree to seek help and enter treatment.
If your family member is not ready to seek treatment, it is important to stop trying to control the situation. One of the biggest challenges in helping an alcoholic family member is when they deny they have a problem. They also try to blame external circumstances or other people for their alcoholism, even if it is not clear to others around them. Unfortunately, until a loved one with an alcohol use disorder admits they have a problem, there isn’t much family members can do. Listening to the conversation with an open ear, expressing your concerns with empathy and respect, and offering to help are good ways to approach the situation. When we try to help an alcoholic family member by controlling them, such as forcing them to go to treatment or forcing them to stop drinking, we are burdened by not being able to change when they want to.
After you’ve tried all of these steps, it’s important to remember that you can’t force your loved one into treatment until they’re ready. The best option is to be supportive, listen carefully, provide resources and follow through on all the results you set.
Codependency is when one person in a relationship is controlling, manipulative, or feels the need to save a loved one who needs support, especially because of an illness such as alcoholism. It is a dysfunctional and unbalanced relationship that causes family members to take responsibility for things beyond their control. This can make them feel overwhelmed. Other indicators of codependency include:
Four Things You Can Do To Help Children & Teens Living In A Family Affected By Alcoholism
Set an example for healthy living by avoiding the use of recreational drugs and alcohol. A great way to set a good example for your loved ones is to set strong and healthy boundaries. Joining a support group, such as Al-Anon, is a great way to show loved ones that help is available for everyone. Remember, actions speak louder than words.
It is very difficult to watch an alcoholic family member struggle, especially if they do not accept your help. We want to do everything we can to influence the people we love to change, but the only people we can change are the people we love. Attending a support group, such as Al-Anon, is a healthy way to focus on yourself and meet others who relate to your situation. It is also a good place to find hope. attractive