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How to Support a Loved One in Recovery from Alcohol Addiction
You may feel helpless if you have a loved one struggling with alcohol addiction. Maybe you’ve tried to get them to stop drinking, but they can’t seem to do it. Or perhaps they’ve already been through treatment and relapsed.
Watching someone you care about destroy their life with alcohol can be challenging, but there is hope. If your loved one is willing to seek help and enter recovery, there are things you can do to support them. Here are tips for keeping a loved one in recovery from alcohol addiction:
Help Them To Admit That They Have An Addiction
The first step in recovery is admitting that there is a problem. For many people with alcohol addiction, this can be the hardest part. They may not want to acknowledge that they are powerless over their addiction and need help.
As a loved one, you can help by being supportive and understanding. Listen to your loved ones without judgment and tell them you are there for them. Then, if they are ready to admit their addiction, you can help them to find a treatment program that will meet their needs.
Get Educated About Addiction And Recovery
To support your loved one effectively, you must understand what they’re going through. Read books about addiction and recovery, talk to others who have been through it, and attend meetings with support groups.
Be Supportive, But Not Enabling
It’s essential to support your loved one in their efforts to recover from alcoholism, but you also need to ensure that you’re not enabling their drinking. For example, you shouldn’t excuse their behavior or cover up for them when drinking. You must also set boundaries, such as not allowing them to drink in your home or around your children.
Encourage Healthy Coping Mechanisms
One of the most important things you can do is encourage your loved one to develop healthy coping mechanisms for dealing with stress and triggers. This might include yoga, meditation, journaling, exercise, or attending 12-step meetings.
Be Patient
Recovery from alcohol addiction is a process that takes time and doesn’t always happen in a straight line. There will be setbacks along the way, and it’s essential to be patient with your loved ones and remind them that they’re not alone in this journey.
Seek Professional Help
If you’re struggling to cope with your loved one’s addiction, you must seek professional help. This might include therapy, counseling, or attending a support group. It’s also important to encourage your loved one to seek professional help in the form of treatment and therapy. In addition, there are various medication for withdrawal available that your loved ones’ doctor can prescribe. Alternatively, as an animal lover, going to a pet friendly rehab to gain can be an enriching and fulfilling experience for many. It provides people with the opportunity to get help from medical professionals and addiction counselors in overcoming their personal challenges, and it also allows them to bring their beloved pet along for companionship, distraction, and emotional support. The chance to bond with a four-legged companion while working on recovery can reduce fear and anxiety in the unfamiliar environment of a new program, making your experience much more pleasant. Additionally, the companionship of animals has been shown to have calming benefits that may even produce therapeutic effects in aiding healing during one’s stay at the facility.
Know How To Help Them Avoid Triggers
An essential part of supporting a loved one in recovery is helping them to avoid triggers that can lead to drinking. This might include avoiding certain people or places, having a plan for what to do if they’re feeling tempted to drink, and having an emergency contact list of people they can call if they’re struggling.
Supporting a loved one in recovery from alcohol addiction is not easy, but working is essential. If you’re struggling, make sure to seek professional help for yourself and encourage your loved one to do the same. With time, patience, and effort, recovery is possible.
