Living With Someone Addicted to Alcohol

There are many difficulties caused by living with someone addicted to alcohol. Despite all of the emotional ups and downs associated with living with this person on a daily basis, it may seem even more overwhelming and emotional to consider how you will begin to help the person or confront them with their problems.

Although it is a common stereotype that the actual alcoholic does not want to deal with the reality of the drinking problem, it is often times the family members or close friends that also don't want to face the reality of the situation.

Here are a few other helpful tips when dealing with trying to get help for an alcohol addicted person in your life:

Stop Enabling
Before intervening or confronting the addict, you need to come to terms with the situation at hand and think about the actions you have taken to enable this person to continue drinking. A confrontation or an intervention will take deciding that you will no longer protect the person's drinking habits.

Consider whether you cover up for them, buy them alcohol, let them emotionally or physically abuse you, or even take care of them when they are hungover? Whatever you do to enable this person, you have to decide you will no longer allow them to be co-dependent and have this set in your mind before making a confrontation.

Gather Support from Others
Although it may feel lonely sometimes when you are dealing with an alcohol addicted person, remember that you are not alone. Other people have noticed the situation and feel the same way you do about getting help for your loved one. Instead of sweeping the problem under the rug any longer, it is time to gather support from other friends and family members and decide how you will face this problem.

It is better to approach the alcohol addicted person as a group, so that the individual cannot claim it is just you accusing them of having a problem. If they see a large group of people that care about them, they are more likely to face up to the reality of the situation. As well, if one person doesn't have luck getting through to them, another might have better luck!

Research Treatment Options
Before you approach someone addicted to alcohol regarding their addiction, spend time researching treatment options that would be suitable to their lifestyle. You may also go ahead and meet with a therapist or counselor that can help you to discuss treatment options and to help you sort out your emotions regarding the situation. This way you are better prepared to face the individual and to deal with the letdown if they decide not to seek help.

If you already have treatment options researched, it will also make it more difficult for the individual to resist treatment or come up with fears or excuses for why they shouldn't begin recovering from their addiction.

Find Support for Yourself
Aside from family members and friends related to the specific alcohol addicted person, it is extremely important to find an outlet for your emotions regarding the circumstances. This could be a group available through your local church or Al-anon, which is an affiliate program of Alcoholics Anonymous.

Whatever program you decide to use, it is important that you stick with attending sessions on a regular basis to help you deal with feelings of guilt and pain associated with the alcohol addicted person.