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How To Help Your Family Member Deal with Addiction

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Nobody wants to see a family member suffer from addiction and our first instinct will always be to lend a helping hand. However, addiction is a very fragile subject to deal with and you must make sure that you handle the situation appropriately. If you are worried about a loved one and you want to help them deal with their alcohol abuse, here’s what you should know.

Alcohol abuse is the most common substance addiction in the entire world. Its widespread use makes it very difficult for an addict to ignore on a day-to-day basis. The road to recovery is rarely ever linear, instead, it is full of ups and downs.

Learn About the Addiction

Before you begin to help your family member, it’s important that you learn as much as you can about the addiction. Alcohol addictions can fluctuate from being rather mild to extremely severe.

There are many stages to alcoholism and there are even different types. Some individuals might be social drinkers, whilst others may decide to drink when they are alone. More importantly, alcoholism creates a physical and psychological dependence on the substance.

Practice Your Speech

When you are confronting a loved one about their addiction, it’s hard not to let your feelings get the better of you. Unless they are ready to face the consequences and initiate change, it is likely that they will deny the matter or argue against the addiction.

Don’t let your anger or frustration impair your speech. Practice what you are going to say and make sure to convey a positive and supportive message.

Try Not to Ambush Them 

This is a serious subject matter, so make sure to find the right time and place to bring it up. If you are going to approach the subject with others around you, avoid doing so in front of strangers.

This is an intimate subject and your loved one will want to retain some level of privacy. Interventions are helpful but they can also feel like an ambush or attack if they aren’t conducted properly.  

Ask If They Would Consider Treatment

You can ask whether they would consider treatment. Ask if your loved one would like to get help at an establishment like Alcohol Rehab Louisville. Adversely, you could get them into touch with an AA program.

Offer Your Support

Whether they are ready to face their addiction or not, the most important thing you can offer your loved one is your full support. This is best done by listening to what they have to say and how they feel.

Be empathetic with their reasoning and try not to judge their actions. You can’t force someone to change, but you can help them consider a different lifestyle.

Try to keep your calm when dealing with your loved ones and remember that their judgements and actions are tainted by the powerful pull of addiction. Don’t give up on them and try to help them get back to a sober lifestyle