It hurts to witness a loved one struggle with alcoholism, especially knowing it can get worse if they don’t stop. They may not want to hear it, but they need help. These are some ways of getting your loved ones the assistance they need at different phases of alcoholism.
Pre-Alcoholic Stage
The pre-alcoholic stage is the initial phase where people might engage in social drinking. At this point, evaluating the risk may be challenging because many people can consume alcohol without developing an addiction. However, if they begin to drink a little bit more than usual at this point, a bad relationship with alcohol may begin.
Be on the lookout for subtle signs, such as finding your loved ones to be relying on alcohol as their main coping mechanism for stress and emotional or social circumstances. They’ll also justify drinking excessively during social events, leading to hangovers.
In such situations, early intervention is the best way to prevent your loved one’s drinking from getting worse. If you approach them with tact, compassion, and the right information, discussing their risky or unhealthy drinking can be very beneficial. If you cannot manage this alone, get assistance from a licensed professional counsellor or therapist.
You can help them enrol in behavioural treatments or alcohol counselling, which certified therapists offer, to modify their drinking habits. There, they can receive encouragement, acquire coping mechanisms, learn how to avoid drinking again, and receive mindfulness-based treatment.
Early Alcoholic Stage
This is the transitional phase that initiates the formation of an alcohol abuse pattern. The only positive thing about this is that the signs are more obvious than in the previous stage. Your loved one may start telling stories about them “blacking out” on more than one occasion. Even though they continue to act normally at work and home, family and friends may start to notice behavioural changes in them.
You can also try to determine if they have been binge drinking, which is typically at least five or four drinks within two hours for males and females, respectively. If your loved ones drink this much regularly, it’s time for them to give it serious thought.
It’s better to talk to them when they’re sober. If you have a calm discussion with your loved one about how you feel, they might be receptive to getting professional help for their alcoholism problems. Researching potential treatment options, however, is helpful before you sit down to discuss your concerns with them.
You can look into mutual-support groups, like Alcoholics Anonymous, LifeRing, and the Secular Organization for Sobriety. They offer peer support to those who want to cut back or quit drinking. In most communities, group meetings can be arranged at convenient times and places for little or no cost. When paired with medication and professional behavioural therapy, mutual support groups can provide an invaluable extra layer of support for your loved ones struggling with alcoholism.
However, if your loved one refuses to accept aid or acknowledge the problem, it can be difficult to get them help for their alcoholism. To better handle the situation, try to discover why they are unwilling to accept help. Are they simply in denial, worried about the cost, or too ashamed of what other people may think?
To help you support and care for your loved one, educate yourself on the risks associated with problematic alcohol use, as well as treatment and rehab options. Make them realise the repercussions of their choices and the potential outcomes of refusing help.
Middle Stage
This is when the pattern of drinking continues or intensifies despite obvious negative consequences that seep into their personal and professional responsibilities. Your loved ones will be consuming alcohol daily or frequently and show visible signs of intoxication.
Your loved ones will exhibit serious signs of alcoholism. They will find it difficult to quit drinking once they get into it and will require large amounts of alcohol to feel normal. Additionally, withdrawal symptoms like severe cravings, nausea, vomiting, agitation, and clammy skin start to show at this point.
Since their health hasn’t deteriorated too much, people in the middle stages of alcoholism benefit the most from treatment. Remind them that they are already treading the line, though. At this stage, going to alcohol rehab will be very helpful. To help your loved ones in overcoming their physical alcohol dependence, intensive outpatient programs, medical detoxification, or outpatient rehabilitation might be required.
You can ease them up on the process by getting information from medical professionals, therapists, and inpatient and outpatient centres for alcohol rehabilitation. A treatment provider may even agree to an initial consultation, during which you can discuss the program’s explanation to your loved one, insurance policy acceptance, and payment plans.
Together with rehabilitation treatments, attending the aforementioned support groups can also be a good supplementary activity since they can provide a supportive community for your loved ones when they begin their early recovery. Behavioural therapy, like cognitive behavioural therapy, may also be beneficial in helping them modify their attitudes and actions toward alcohol consumption.
Late Stage
At this point, your loved ones’ lives revolve around drinking. They now feel as though they have no control over their alcohol intake and that they have to drink regardless of the harm it does to their relationships, livelihood, and health. Their health is also compromised, and there may be serious harm to important organs such as the brain and liver. This might result in cognitive decline and a higher chance of developing cancer.
Late stage can also be frightening because trying to stop drinking can cause tremors or hallucinations. The DSM-5 criteria classify this stage as a severe form of alcohol use disorder. It calls for a more thorough and intensive approach to treatment. Medical detoxification and inpatient rehabilitation, where the patient can get round-the-clock assistance and care, are possible treatment options.
As recovery from alcoholism is a lifelong process, so is supporting someone you love who is undergoing treatment. Recognising that relapse might accompany your loved one’s recovery is also crucial. Relapse occurs in about 66% of people who seek treatment for alcohol use disorders at some point in their life. In addition to medication, psychotherapy and participation in support groups can help prevent relapses.
Get Professional Help for Any Stage of Alcoholism
You don’t need to wait for the worst to happen before seeking professional help. The suggested guidelines are merely meant to get you started; remember that help is possible for alcoholism at any point in its development.
If you’re looking for a five-star rehabilitation facility that employs a balanced alcoholism recovery approach combining therapeutic, clinical, and educational therapies, look no further than HARP Private Rehab. We offer comprehensive professional support for lifelong recovery, igniting your loved one’s passion for life and creating a better future.
Connect with a HARP professional to get more information on how we can help your loved one overcome alcoholism.
