How Do You Know
Your Loved One Is An Alcoholic?
It can be hard for loved ones of binge drinkers to distinguish between “a little too much drinking” and a “full-blown problem”. Little by little, however, their drinking gets worse to the point at which it becomes overwhelming for them and everyone around them and their addiction becomes impossible to ignore. Even if your loved one is what’s known as a “high-functioning alcoholic”, it’s only a matter of time before their function, and health, starts to decline from drinking. You probably know, by now that your loved one needs help, but here are some common indicators just to be sure:
- Joking about or Denying Alcoholism
- Neglecting Major Responsibilities as a Result of Drinking
- Loss of Friendships and Destruction of Relationships
- Legal Problems Related to Drinking, Like DUI and Other Issues
- Relying on Alcohol to Relax or Feel Confident
- Morning Drinking or Isolated Drinking
- Getting Drunk without Meaning to
- Forget or Blacking Out While Drinking
- Hiding Alcohol, or Getting Angry when Confronted about Drinking
- Causing Loved Ones to Worry about or Make Excuses for Your Drinking
Other signs that you’re loved one has a problem includes physical changes, withdrawal symptoms, loss of savings and other lifestyle issues.
Things Have to Get Messy before You Clean Them Up
The journey of getting your loved one help begins with confronting them about their problem, whether it’s on your own or with the help of other family members and friends. Be prepared for screaming, yelling, name-calling and even more severe behavior. Usually, the last thing an alcoholic wants to hear is that they have a problem, so they’ll do or say anything to dissuade. This could be lying, placating, avoidance, aggression and other types of behavior. An intervention can help to mobilize your friends and family, organize your strategy and convince your loved one that they’re loved, valued and respected.
43%
of adults in the US (76 million people) have had a parent, child, sibling or spouse who is or was an alcoholic. (NIAAA)
1 in 5
adult Americans have lived with an alcoholic relative while growing up. (AACAP)
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What Type of Help Does
My Alcoholic Loved One Need?
Each person’s alcohol treatment experience is unique and should be tailored to their care needs, and your loved one is no different. During alcoholism treatment, your loved one should have access to:
Detox and Withdrawal Management
Alcoholism is a medical disease and very often requires clinical intervention for the relief of withdrawal symptoms. Your loved one should have the benefit of doctors and nurses to help them with their physical and psychological withdrawal so they can rebalance their brain chemistry and start feeling like themselves again.
Behavioral Rehab and Counseling
It’s important to understand why you’re loved one started drinking and to recognize the triggers that keep them reaching for the bottle. They should have access to behavioral rehab to help them address the root causes of their addictions and identify the experiences that drive them to drink. When you’re loved one is allowed to take time to breathe and focus on their recovery, they can get the perspective they need to overcome their drinking.
Aftercare and Ongoing Support
Your loved one’s alcohol recovery doesn’t end once they leave treatment. This is a lifelong journey that, unfortunately comes with many ups and downs, and it’s critical that they have a support system in place to help them through the tough times. This support system should include the family, friends and guidance from their treatment center as to how to manage life in recovery.
Let’s Start theHealing Process
If you feel like your loved one needs help for alcohol addiction, Recovery Unplugged is ready to help. Call our insurance representatives today so we can provide a full insurance verification, help you through the logistics and get your loved one into treatment as soon as possible. We offer locations throughout the country and are ready to arrange transportation to any of our facilities. Call us now at (855) 384-5794 to help your loved one overcome alcoholism and take their life back. They deserve another chance, and you deserve to have your loved one back from addiction.