When relapse happens, it’s important not to blame your loved one or get frustrated and angry with them. Instead, help them find the best treatment option for them so they can get back on track to long-term recovery. You may encourage them to call their sponsor, research other treatment options with them such as long-term treatment, or utilize another professional resource. Your loved one will need to continue practicing sobriety, and the changes they go through will affect you in big and small ways. It’s helpful to continue attending Al-Anon meetings, to learn to differentiate between your issues and your loved one’s issues, and take responsibility only for your own.

Many of us now swear by our air fryers, but one expert has issued a warning before you make a common mistake

It is intended as a resource to understand what treatment choices are available and what to consider when selecting among them. For more information, please visit the NIAAA Alcohol Treatment Navigator®, an online tool that helps individuals find the right treatment for them—and near them. The Navigator offers a step-by-step process to finding a highly qualified professional treatment provider. American Addiction Centers’ treatment programs offer family therapy to ensure that you have the option to be adequately involved in your loved one’s treatment and recovery.

Talk to someone

You aren’t to blame for your loved one’s drinking problem and you can’t make them change. Make meetings a priority – Join a recovery support group, such as Alcoholics Anonymous (AA), and attend meetings regularly. Spending time with people who understand exactly what you’re going through can be very healing.

Alcohol withdrawal symptoms

Lean on the people around you, and, if you need to, reach out to a mental health professional to speak about your stress and what you’re going through. Support can come from family members, friends, counselors, other recovering alcoholics, your healthcare providers, and people from your faith community. Also, trying to talk with a person about heavy drinking while or just after drinking with them appears hypocritical.

• BetterHelp is an online therapy service that matches you to licensed, accredited therapists who can help with depression, anxiety, relationships, and more.
• It is also necessary to understand the social and psychological reasons why someone may develop AUD.
• In short, “there’s not a single image of AUD,” points out Sabrina Spotorno, a clinical social worker and alcoholism and substance abuse counselor at Monument.
• Below are samples of e-health tools developed with NIAAA funding.

Identifying Relapse Triggers

Our content does not constitute a medical or psychological consultation. See a certified medical or mental health professional for diagnosis. There may be very little you can do to help someone with AUD until they are ready to get help, but you can stop letting someone’s drinking problem dominate your thoughts and your life. It’s OK to make choices that are good for your own physical and mental health. A support group such as Al-Anon Family Groups may also be a helpful source of support when you have someone in your life with a drinking problem.

When deciding to talk to an alcoholic, be prepared for some pushback. People who drink too much often find it hard to admit they have a problem. They may become agitated or uncomfortable and start defending their actions or telling a concerned family member or friend to mind their own business. They may be in denial or unsure of what to do about their drinking.

Alcohol addiction treatment can help you achieve the desired goal. You can also find groups of folks who are in the same situation as you are. Organizations like Al-Anon, Nar-Anon, and Alateen have networks all over the country and online to support those dealing with a loved one’s heavy drinking. The person with the drinking problem needs to take responsibility for their actions. Don’t lie or cover things up to protect someone from the consequences of their drinking. Alcohol abuse and addiction support for those who struggling with alcohol addiction doesn’t just affect the person drinking—it affects their families and loved ones, too.

Step 4: Participate in Your Loved One’s Treatment.

When seeking professional help, it is important that you feel respected and understood and that you trust the person, group, or organization to help you. However, remember that relationships with health care providers can take time to develop. What kind of treatment does the program or provider offer? It is important to gauge whether the facility provides all the currently available, evidence-based methods or relies on one approach. You may want to learn if the program or provider offers medication and whether mental health issues are addressed together with alcohol treatment. Three medications are currently approved in the United States to help people stop or reduce their drinking and prevent a return to drinking.

• Unhealthy alcohol use includes any alcohol use that puts your health or safety at risk or causes other alcohol-related problems.
• Have some concrete next steps for them to choose from, in case they’re ready to get help.
• It may take time and patience, but your continued support increases the likelihood that they will eventually be able to successfully stop drinking.
• Consider seeing a therapist or joining a support group.
• And you might find that you feel healthier and happier without it.

Sobriety in AA: Since getting sober, I have hope

There are several things you can do to intervene, show your concern and support for your loved one, and protect yourself from getting too wrapped up in their addiction. It’s important to understand that this is not a weakness. The person with the drinking problem is psychologically and physiologically addicted to alcohol and requires professional help. If you’re unsure whether your relationship with alcohol is becoming unhealthy, Laura explains there’s one question you should ask yourself to help determine if there’s a problem. It is not necessary that his techniques would work for everyone; however, it could be beneficial in the end.