Often when I teach my alcohol awareness classes, I am asked by pupils what to do when someone you live is an alcoholic.
If you are having this experience you may be having difficulties with a number of agonizing emotions, including shame, worry, rage, and self-blame. The dilemma may be so overpowering that it may seem easier to ignore it and pretend that nothing is wrong. But you realize that something is wrong, and eventually, denying it will be more harmful to you, other family members, and the person who can't stop drinking.
What You Should Not Do
- Don't try to punish, threaten, bribe, or preach.
- Don't attempt to be a martyr. Avoid emotional appeals that might just boost feelings of guilt and the desire to consume or use other drugs.
- Don't permit yourself to hide or make excuses for problem drinker or shield them from the deserved penalties of their behavior.
- Don't do their work for them, leaving them with no feeling of importance or dignity.
- Don't hide or throw away liquor bottles, flush down the toilet drugs, or keep them away from situations where drinking is present.
- Don't argue with the user when they are drunk or high.
- Don't try to drink along with the alcoholic or use drugs with the drug user.
- Above all, don't feel guilty or responsible for another's actions.
A excellent place to start off is by entering a group such as Al-Anon, a nationally recognized group for families coping with an alcoholic. Hearing others with the same problems can be a tremendous source of comfort and support. You can also turn to trusted friends, a therapist, or people in your faith community. You can find out about drinking problems by taking an alcohol awareness class.
You can't force a person you love to stop abusing alcohol. As bad as your want, and as hard as it is to watch, you can't force a person to stop drinking. The decision is up to them and only them. Don’t expect the person to stop drinking and remain sober without assistance. they will need treatment, support, and new coping skills to overcome their alcoholism. Recovery is an long-term process.
Stopping drinking is a bumpy road, requiring time and patience. An alcoholic will not all of a sudden become a different person once sober. And the problems that led to the alcohol abuse in the first place will have to be faced.
Admitting that there’s a big problem can be agonizing for the whole family, not just the alcoholic. But don’t feel shame. You're not the only person dealing with this Alcoholism affects millions of families, from every social class, race, and culture. But there is support readily available for both you and your loved one. You can learn more about drinking by taking an online alcohol class.
No comments:
Post a Comment