Around 15 million people in the U.S. struggle with an alcohol use disorder, making it the most common addiction in the country. If someone in your family has been struggling with alcoholism, you are not alone. Many family members are torn about the best way to approach someone who is suffering from the effects of alcoholism.
Alcohol is more harmful to some people than others. While some people are able to drink alcohol without experiencing drastic life consequences, others cannot. Helping a person recognize that they have become a diminished version of themself due to alcoholism may result in arguments; however, encouraging a person to seek treatment may save their life. Family therapy can be beneficial for those affected by their addiction.
My Family Member Is an Alcoholic
Watching a loved one struggle with addiction takes a terrible toll. It also leaves you wondering how to help an alcoholic family member. If your loved one struggles with alcohol abuse or addiction, a virtual outpatient program can provide excellent follow-up care after your loved one completes an inpatient program. Our professionals can guide you through the steps of helping your family.
Talk with Your Family to Help an Alcoholic Family Member
The first answer in regard to how to help an alcoholic family member is simply to talk with them about how you miss them. Try your best to make it a conversation rather than an argument. Instead of making accusations, talk about how their alcoholism affects your life. Arguments make people dig in their heels and defend their actions. A conversation leaves room for understanding.
Wait until your loved one is sober. Express how concerned you are about their drinking. Tell them about how it affects you and others in the family. Let them know that there is help out there, and they won’t face everything alone.
Stage an Intervention for an Alcoholic Family Member
If conversations don’t work, you can stage an intervention. An intervention gathers a person’s friends and family. Everyone talks about how a person’s alcohol abuse affects them. It’s also an opportunity to encourage them to seek help in a men’s or women’s alcohol rehab program.
Again, it’s crucial that the conversation isn’t just people venting their frustrations and anger. If you feel that the intervention could turn into that, reach out to an intervention specialist. They help guide the intervention toward constructive ends. They can also help you make arrangements with a treatment program.
Interventions Save Lives
A crucial yet challenging part of any intervention is to remember is that your loved has the potential to heal. An alcoholic family member may lash out at the people they love as a result of being intoxicated or experiencing withdrawal symptoms. Try not to be hurt or offended by what they say. It is important to understand that their behavior is not a reflection of any failures on your part. Trying to please an alcoholic tends to backfire because the alcoholic does not have the capacity to appreciate your support. Sometimes the parents of alcoholics allow certain behavior due to guilt about perceived parenting failures. Enabling an alcoholic is dangerous because it prevents the alcoholic from developing the coping skills they need in order to heal. Practice self-care for yourself when you approach your loved one about alcohol abuse.
Alcohol Addiction Treatment
The best answer to help an alcoholic family member is for you to get them enrolled in a treatment program. Alcohol withdrawal causes severe symptoms, which is why treatment starts with detox. Detox programs can ease the symptoms with medication.
When your family member is ready for treatment at a Sunstone Recovery recommended facility, they’ll move on to a rehab program. Continued care with intensive outpatient programs shows the best results. Your family member spends a substantial part of their day at the rehab center. The alcoholic family member will participate in several forms of therapy, such as:
- Individual therapy
- Group counseling
- Cognitive-behavioral therapy
- Trauma therapy program
You may also be able to participate in portions of alcohol addiction treatment. A family therapy program is common in outpatient rehab facilities. Family therapy gives you and your family members a chance to address the effects of alcoholism and learn more about the disease yourself. They also provide the groundwork for healthier family dynamics moving forward. This can make a huge difference for the alcoholic family member.
Sunstone Recovery
Sunstone Recovery offers a range of mental health and substance abuse treatment programs. We don’t just aim for just recovery but to positively impact our clients and their families as they work through the recovery process. Treatment programs feel like home in Bend, Oregon. Programs include:
- Virtual partial hospitalization
- Telehealth partial hospitalization
- Intensive outpatient treatment
Don’t let alcohol abuse undermine the life of an alcoholic family member. A high-quality rehab program can assist you in overcoming that addiction. Contact Sunstone Recovery at 855.833.9199, or contact us online and let us help you find your path to recovery.
