‘Just one more drink’.
If someone you love has a drinking problem, this is something you’ve surely heard before. The road to giving up drinking is a tough one, with many heavy drinkers going on and off the wagon over the years.
However, sometimes a friend or family member who’s been sober for years can slip up, giving in to the temptation of a drink. If this happens to someone you love, how can you help them?
To find out more, keep reading to find five ways you can help alcoholics who relapse.
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Be Supportive
Alcohol is an incredibly addictive substance that many people find challenging to quit—if someone you know relapses, try hard to be supportive and kind to them.
They’re sure to be unhappy with themselves as well, but everyone makes mistakes. Let me know you’re there for them and offer to listen, spend time together, or help them get back on track.
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Set Firm Boundaries
You need to look after yourself when helping someone who’s relapsed, so set boundaries of what you will and won’t do. For example, constantly loaning an alcoholic money isn’t the best idea, so try to help them in other ways, such as offering to drive them to AA or taking them out for a coffee to talk.
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Suggest Professional Help for Alcoholics Who Relapse
Often, a rehab program can be the best way for an alcoholic to get back on the wagon. Help your loved one find a facility that specializes in treatment for addiction in a professional, supportive way.
Just remember that you can’t force someone into rehab if they don’t want to go. You can suggest it, but ultimately, it’s their decision.
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Seek Help for Yourself
Loving someone with an addiction is tough—it can be physically and mentally exhausting, so make sure to look after your own wellbeing too.
Many friends and family members of alcoholics find solace in attending Al-Anon Family Groups, which can help you find support from others in similar positions as yourself.
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Stay Positive
Do your best to stay positive and optimistic, as this can be very motivational to the alcoholic you love. Yelling at them, getting angry, or punishing them isn’t likely to do much good.
Try to be positive and there for them, but if it gets to the point where it’s all too much, it’s ok to tell them you need a break and take time away for yourself.
Support a Loved One Through Their Recovery Journey With These Tips
If you want to help a loved one, these tips can give ideas on how to support alcoholics who relapse. It’s not an easy process, as the stress and angst that alcoholics put their families through can sometimes be unbearable.
Should it become too much, it can be a good idea to seek professional help to learn more coping strategies. Hopefully, your loved one will soon be back on the road to recovery.
If you found this article informative, please keep reading to learn more.
