How To Help An Alcoholic Friend
Everyone loves socialising and enjoying the company of friends. A good get-together typically involves meeting for a drink, sharing events and catching up on the latest gossip. Surely, there is no harm in drinking alcohol together to relax and enjoy these moments but sometimes there may be a bit more concern if a friend oversteps their alcohol consumption.
Most youngsters get their first experience of drunkenness and hangover hell during and after social gatherings, let’s be honest, most of us are guilty of drinking too much, feeling terribly ill and completely non-functional the next day. This experience most of us swear never to happen again, but it does, time and time again.
Most people, live to grow out of over-drinking, leaving behind the false fun of binge drinking or the need to keep up with peers who incessantly try to force someone to drink more than they should. But what happens to those who get caught up in constant alcohol consumption who find they may have developed a dependency on alcohol misuse?
Alcohol addiction is a condition that silently takes over a person’s control of alcohol use. In the early stages, consuming alcohol may be seen as a normal activity a friend tends to do. Still, over time, signs of alcohol use disorder start to become more obvious which may cause concern to help someone who may have a drinking problem.
How Do I Know My Friend Has An Alcohol Problem?
If you are asking yourself this question, it is because you have noticed that your friend appears to be drinking too much or maybe showing out-of-character behaviours during drinking.
You have already asked them if they have a problem and you will have been given a ‘No’ as a definite answer. This response is normal. Anyone struggling with alcoholism typically refuses to accept they have a problem.
You have already asked them if they have a problem and you will have been given a ‘No’ as a definite answer. This response is normal. Anyone struggling with alcoholism typically refuses to accept they have a problem.
Their tolerance to drinking large amounts often proves to them they are capable of drinking and believe they are fully in control of their actions. They will not want to seek help or listen to any concerns about their drinking and will often make excuses or lie about their consumption.
An individual who has developed an alcohol addiction will avoid places they know will not serve alcohol or attend gatherings where they have to spend a length of time without alcohol consumption being available.
Alcohol becomes so important it overpowers all other thoughts or ideas and searching for the substance becomes the highest priority every day, neglecting activities or responsibilities to ensure they have their regular consumption.
How Do I Talk To Someone About Them Becoming An Alcoholic?
If you have noticed that your friend is drinking too much alcohol and it appears he or she is unable to function normally without it, you may be wondering what you can do to help.
You have probably already made some comments or shown your concern but the drinking problem continues. You have not failed in your attempts to try to convince a friend to stop drinking, the reason they don’t stop drinking is because they have developed an illness.
Gone are the days of outcasting people with drug and alcohol disorders. Professional teams all over the world are treating these conditions in the same way as cancer or other life-threatening diseases understanding alcoholism for what it is and discarding the stigmas that are more damaging than the illness itself.
However, for someone with alcohol problems, it is a matter of serious intervention when simple communication has no positive effect. Efforts made to talk to a friend may fall on deaf ears but you should never give up on helping your friend or someone you love.
I Want To Help An Alcoholic Friend
There are ways to help your loved one or a friend who may be struggling with alcohol misuse but supporting someone with this condition is not as straightforward as one may assume.
Primarily, it would help if you did not encourage drinking. This means avoiding any situation where alcohol is available.
Inviting a friend for a drink to talk about their problem or having the odd drink with them will have no effect whatsoever and will be perceived as encouraging their drinking with your approval.
Inviting a friend for a drink to talk about their problem or having the odd drink with them will have no effect whatsoever and will be perceived as encouraging their drinking with your approval.
Sad stories may appear. Expect long tales of woe and doom and how they have become victims of their family members, loved ones and so on. These tales are beckoning calls for funding and supporting their alcohol consumption.
Inappropriate behaviour through using alcohol often leads to problems with law enforcement. Standing by a friend or family member through illegal matters can be overwhelming and one needs strong ties to support and resolve them satisfactorily.
Many friends may have long gone by now, realising their friend has become a burden or has been outcasted from the once-enjoyed group of mates. Sadly, consuming too much alcohol makes a person more isolated and less interested in activities they once enjoyed.
Education And Ways To Help A Friend Who Needs Help
The first thing that comes to mind is a support group such as Al-Anon or Alcoholics Anonymous to help make informed decisions.
These help and support networks are invaluable for seeking advice for problems with alcohol users and can give initial guidance to help you seek various treatment options.
However, at PROMIS, we believe that the first step to recovery is to ensure treatment is available when required. This may seem precipitated but only when a person suffering from alcoholism agrees to treatment there is very little time to concede to admission.
Educating oneself on people with alcohol use, the false stigmas and how facilities like ourselves perceive this illness can help enormously with our expectations for the future.
Offer Your Help To Someone With Alcohol Use Disorder
A friend may reject any offer of help, not because they don’t appreciate it, it’s because they are unable to accept a drinking problem as frustrating as this can be. Letting the individual know that they have your support and that there is help available can be crucial.
You may help them find a suitable rehab centre that can provide the correct treatment or you may be able to encourage the person to talk to someone about their alcohol dependence. Whether your friend or loved one listens to you or not, giving up on them can only make the situation worse.
Remember to set boundaries and explain what is not acceptable to you and the reasons why. Always choose a time to talk when your friend is sober without making accusations or getting into heated arguments. Keep calm and offer to help because you care and want them to get better.
You cannot force someone to agree to treatment and you may find they deny the problem time and time again. Talk honestly and tell your loved one about the adverse effects on their life and yours caused by heavy alcohol drinking and let them know that you care.
It may take several attempts on your behalf so patience is everything and don’t set high expectations.
If a friend rejects your support, it doesn’t mean that you have failed them. There are several support networks for when you feel alone or unable to deal with a loved one’s denial.
Get Help from PROMIS For Alcoholism
If you, a loved one or a friend is struggling with alcohol addiction, don’t think you are the only person in the world going through such an ordeal.
You are not alone, far from it. You can talk to us or other entities if you wish but we want you to know that our friendly team will talk you through any concern, give you information and advice or listen to your needs. By calling us you are under no obligation whatsoever, we are non-judgemental and will treat your call with our strictest confidence.
We understand what substance misuse is all about and we know how difficult it is for friends and family having to undergo such overwhelming conditions, Let us help. We are only a phone call away and will endeavour to help resolve problems with alcohol or substance abuse with our world-class treatment programmes.
