How to help someone with an alcohol problem

Anyone who knows someone who is dependent on alcohol does not have to talk about the possible devastation. But the good news is that there are many practical steps that family members of problem drinkers can take to relieve or relieve their pain.

The most important of these is to recognize the problem of drinking while it is still in its infancy, and it is still a "psychological addiction" as opposed to a "physical addiction". Addressing the problem at this early stage can significantly increase the chances of long-term recovery and does not lead to withdrawal symptoms for the drinker. In addition, in the future, the individual may even be able to drink alcohol again if they dry out for an initial period and address the underlying problems that lead to their unsatisfactory relationship with alcohol.

When a person with a psychological addiction is allowed to drink excessively, they eventually develop a physical addiction as the body gradually needs more alcohol to achieve the same effect. Once someone has reached this stage, the chances of helping them to play a completely different ball game and trigger lasting recovery are slim.

Any attempt by a physically dependent person not to consume alcohol is always accompanied by withdrawal symptoms, and if not done in conjunction with medical advice, the withdrawal process can damage the brain or even prove fatal. Although it is not absolutely necessary for the drinker to stay in a rehab clinic, he may still need medical rehab, which is carried out by his family doctor or another qualified party.

The main problem with physical addiction, however, is that most alcohol experts believe that the problematic drinker can only fully recover if he stays dry for the rest of his life. Obviously, this can mean an enormous responsibility for the people around them. No matter how strong the drinker's will, his brain is permanently changed, which means that he automatically returns to his previous drinking level when he starts drinking again. Even if they haven't been drinking for thirty or forty years, they can't control their consumption as soon as they touch another drop.

In some cases, people with physical addictions who have been dry for a long time also feel a strong desire for an alcoholic drink. Some addicts have compared the feeling to someone who is in a desert dying of thirst, but realizes that there is an oasis just around the corner. During these times, the stress of drinking something can be so overwhelming that any logic can come out of the window temporarily.

Regardless of the stage of addiction, most people who have lived with or want to help a problem drinker will guarantee that the constant harassment and confiscation of drinks simply won't work. In general, people have to feel that they are making decisions for themselves. They are much more likely to do something when they feel they have made up their mind than to feel bothered to do so to please someone else.

Beat he Booze therefore attaches great importance to explaining to others how they can recognize that they need to help themselves, and for the most part this means trying to avoid confrontation. At the same time, there are clearly cases in which the direct confrontation with relatives can function as a strategy of last resort and the authors pay attention to it - as well as the associated considerable risks.

The types of help that problem drinkers can take after taking this important step to realize that they may have an alcohol problem include residential rehabilitation clinics, addiction counselors, and drug groups. Care like AA. There are also less traditional methods that have not yet received the publicity they deserve.

For example, if someone has chronic anxiety, the solution may be to ask their family doctor to prescribe baclofen. Although it is essentially a muscle relaxant that has been used to treat various types of muscle spasticity for years, its ability to eliminate the cravings caused by anxiety attacks can be life-changing. The authors have personally seen that the lives of those who have initiated this approach have improved beyond recognition, even if the rehabilitation and AA attendance periods did not previously have the desired effect.

Partners, family and friends should also ensure that the problem drinker receives the necessary support and attention in the critical first months after successfully stopping alcohol on departure. After all, doing a few weeks of drug rehabilitation or medical rehab at home means winning only the first fight, not war. The improper behavior of those around them can all too easily serve as triggers for them to start a new drinking session and undo the good work.

For example, there is a lot to say if you are not drinking yourself when you are accompanied by a drug addict who has successfully dried out, as this may show that it is possible to live a full and active life without alcohol. Alcohol. But there is a right way and a wrong way to take this approach. If your reluctance to drink in front of them is constantly accompanied by lectures about the need for them to correct their own behavior, this will only backfire.

Even if you claim that abstinence is of great benefit to you, it can have a negative impact on you. However, declaring that you are not drinking because you chose not to use it or because the habit was not good for you could have a positive effect. Even if it isn't, you could certainly feel good since you have at least tried to do your best.

Edmund and Helen Tirbutt, co-authors of the successful self-help book Beat the Booze, highlighted how friends and family can help relatives with alcohol problems.

Gin or tea? When does alcohol consumption become a problem and what can you do?

When does alcohol consumption become a problem? When do you wake up with a bit of a headache every Saturday morning? When do you wake up with a headache every morning? Maybe it is if you start drinking every morning just to get out of bed? Or is it maybe that you wake up in the A&E department without knowing how you ended up there, what day it is or what you have done in the past two weeks?

You don't have to have reached the last example to have a problem with alcohol. The safety thresholds for alcohol consumption are surprisingly low and are often exceeded by many people, regardless of the health damage they cause. What are the possible solutions?

An ideal starting point is to specify the number of alcohol units you consume. If you find that you regularly exceed the safety limits, it may be time to consider some slowdown.

An easy way to reduce the number of units is to replace alcoholic beverages with fruit juices or tea. During an evening, many people often have a lot more fun switching between alcoholic and carbonated drinks. Spending a pleasant evening with your friends may be due to their company and the atmosphere you enjoy, not alcohol.

If you're having trouble changing your drinks and you're still drinking too much, your next step may be to stop drinking alcohol altogether.

Before you consider taking the "cold turkey", especially if you have been drinking a lot for a long time, you should consult your doctor or health care professional who can advise you if this is the best solution. You can assess your physical and mental health to ensure that you are not suffering from any side effects that may result from the sudden withdrawal of alcohol. Alcohol withdrawal can be extremely serious and in some cases can lead to death.

If your doctor determines that you are experiencing withdrawal symptoms, he will often prescribe a short treatment with benzodiazepines such as Valium or Librium. With these medications, you can safely stop drinking and reduce the risk of a seizure or heart attack.

Once you stop drinking, the challenge of not using alcohol begins. Your doctor may be able to help you again, as there are currently many medications, including Campral, Antabuse and Baclofen, that have been developed to help you stay sober.

After all, the internet is a great resource with lots of websites and user groups that help those who are struggling with alcoholism. There are many websites on the Internet that contain stories of people who have struggled and overcome their own fight with alcohol. This can be a great source of inspiration for those who want to do the same.