Seeing a dear one struggle with alcohol addiction is a challenging situation. The sense of helplessness makes it difficult not to tear up or feel enraged with how someone wastes their life. Alcohol addiction ruins family relationships and financial stability, making it crucial to seek professional assistance immediately. 

While the intervention experts are responsible for helping with the addiction and managing alcohol withdrawal symptoms responsibly, it is crucial that the person recovering gets ample love and support throughout their journey. It makes them feel safe and supported, helping banish the harmful habits. If your loved one is undergoing such transformation, here are some dos and don’ts you must keep in mind while offering support.

Dos of supporting a loved one undergoing alcohol addiction:

1. Educate yourself 

Alcohol deaddiction is not easy but instead is a journey that is marked with multiple highs and lows. Educating yourself as a preparation measure is essential so that you can provide support and assistance when your dear ones are hitting rock bottom. 

Learning more about the process also prevents one from having unrealistic expectations and instead focusing on long-term, sustainable results. While you are in the process of educating yourself, adhere to reputed resources only. 

2. Practice in advance 

Clear communication is vital to ensure your thoughts, commitments, and devotion get conveyed and understood how you want them to. Avoid using ‘you’ in the sentences (unless the sentences are encouraging in nature) and adhere to ‘I’ so the person doesn’t feel accused of being in the situation. 

It may help to mention past incidents, but be kind and supportive in your language. Be prepared for reactions that can range from a mutual understanding of the concern to anger, and hold your ground at all times to indicate the gravity of the situation. 

3. Choose a safe and private space to talk

Before initiating any serious conversations, make sure that the person is in a position where they can understand your concerns. Choose a private space that allows you to talk without getting distracted or interrupted, as it can dilute the significance of the conversation. 

Remember that you do not have to take it upon yourself alone to guide them through recovery. Weighing your options in advance will ensure that you are ready to provide them with a solution while they are in the mood to make the right decision. If intervention is required, it is best not to turn a blind eye and instead start considering the possibilities, benefits, and arrangements you will have to make. 

Don’ts of supporting a loved one undergoing alcohol addiction:

1. Avoid taking it all on yourself 

While educating yourself or preparing to have the tough talk, you may likely want to involve yourself in every step of the process, taking complete responsibility for admission into an institution, charting the journey, providing emotional support, and more. 

These steps may seem small on the outside but will tax your physical, mental, and emotional well-being as time passes. It is best to let professionals take care of everything. 

2. Blame them for the situation

Various reasons can lead to excessive dependency on alcohol. While the person could be trying their best to improve their situation, sometimes external help can prove to be miraculous. 

On the other hand, blaming them can complicate the situation, making the person want to cut off and indulge in more extensive habits. If you are not sure how to offer support or have resentment brewing, it is best to avoid interactions and keep to yourself. 

3.Not getting adequate support

Intervention at the right time can be life-changing and significantly change the person’s life. However, improper and unstructured support, on the other hand, can create havoc, stress your loved one even more, and may not address the underlying reasons adequately, leaving room for relapse. 

Bottomline

Seeing our loved ones struggle with alcohol addiction can be stressful and make anyone feel helpless. However, it is vital not to lose hope and allow professional intervention to take care of the situation. Meanwhile, being calm and patient and prioritizing their safety (from falls and slips) is crucial to ensuring they do not further find more reasons to indulge.