Alcoholism is a serious disease. Addiction to alcoholic beverages undermines the human psyche, and the regular use of ethyl alcohol gradually destroys all organs and systems. Anyone who drinks a lot literally destroys themselves inside. And, at the same time, it makes the lives of relatives and friends unbearable. How to make someone stop drinking? How to protect you from the negative effects of strong drinks? What can be done to bring peace and tranquility back to the family?
We immediately observe that it will not work to cure an alcoholic without his desire. So if you decide to secretly add some sort of "miracle cure" to his food at home, know that your idea is doomed to failure in advance. Nothing good comes from compulsory treatment. Also, it is not so easy to deliver a drinker to a hospital without his consent. Therefore, this article will mainly focus on how to persuade an alcoholic to be treated, how to get him to give up alcohol.
problem recognition
As a general rule, if a person drinks a lot, he does not consider it a disease. Often, the alcoholic won't even admit that he's been drinking too much lately. He believes he drinks as much as usual, no more than everyone else. In addition, you may encounter another difficulty: the drinker agrees that there is too much alcohol in his life.
Maybe he was already tortured by a constant hangover. However, at this stage, he doesn't want to stop yet, he doesn't understand that he's already addicted. Such a person believes that on his own and without outside help at home, he will be able to get rid of alcohol, but not now, but someday later. It's just that "later" never comes.
Therefore, the answer to the question "how to get an alcoholic into treatment" must start by convincing him that he is sick. This is often one of the most difficult steps. To cope with this task, you can use several tricks. Draw the patient's attention to the health hazards of alcohol. Focus on the deterioration in well-being that the drinker has recently experienced (and will likely be to one degree or another in any case).
Try to bring the alcoholic's attention to the fact that he is already drinking too much, that alcohol has caused changes in his behavior. Tell us you can handle it completely, you just need to start treatment as soon as possible. And finally, try to convince the drinker that it's not a shame to call yourself an alcoholic, it's a shame not to admit the obvious.
Denial of accusations
If you're wondering how to help a person who drinks, never forget that you want to help, not blame. This is very important, because alcohol changes the psyche in such a way that the person becomes very vulnerable and even capricious. If you start punishing him like a delinquent child, he will close himself off, withdraw from you, and only get worse. It is necessary to convince the alcoholic of his kind attitude. The patient must see him as a friend and ally.
Abandon scandals and screams. The key to success is infinite patience. Even though it's insanely hard for you, if you want to throw your emotions out, you'll need to do it so no one sees. Don't let outsiders (like neighbors) accuse the drinker. Never scold him in front of others.
Help for alcoholism implies maximum softness. Of course, you can point out to a person that their alcohol addiction has a harmful effect on them and those around them, but this should be presented as a fact, not an accusation. Remember that no one wants to be scolded. Don't try to offend or irritate the drinker: this will only make him angry and drink even more to annoy you. Understand that alcohol is talking to a person, and you need to "wake up" them.
choosing the right moment
To help with alcoholism, you need to choose the right time. This should be a period when a person does not drink. Talking to a drunk is absolutely useless. Of course, anyone who wants to can try, but it will be extremely difficult to get something, you can only fray your nerves in vain. Please note that at home you will not be able to get a person to drink alone, so you need to be patient and wait. The "bright" period will come sooner or later, and then it is necessary to raise the question of how to help an alcoholic.
Help to get rid of alcoholism should start with a serious conversation that provides the patient with the necessary motivation. This conversation should be conducted in a calm environment, preferably at home. For this to happen, two conditions must be met. First, the alcoholic himself must be sober (this has already been mentioned above).
Second, you yourself must be mentally prepared. Think in advance how you are going to convince which words you are going to choose. Think about how to help the alcoholic to understand him better, select the necessary examples. Stay calm and confident. Don't forget that the first conversation will probably not work. Never give up. It can always be repeated several times, until the first successes appear.
Setting the right goals
To wean a person from drinking strong drinks, you must give him the right motivation. So if you've asked yourself "how to help an alcoholic", you should find an alcohol alternative for him. He must understand that life is beautiful even without alcohol, that the world is full of wonderful opportunities. If you quit, you might find a good job. . . You will meet a decent girl. . . You will start chatting with friends again. . . Tell the patient what he liked about his past life. Give him hope of getting what he wants (besides alcohol).
Emphasize that his health will improve significantly, that you will still be able to restore a steady hand and clarity of mind. The right motivation should be the guiding star on the road to recovery.
Alcohol addiction is so strong that only one big goal is able to overcome it and wean the patient off a glass. He must point to something other than liquor. And that desire must eventually win. It should take the alcoholic to a doctor and further support him on a difficult path.
When looking for an answer to the question "how to get a person to stop drinking", don't be afraid to turn to a psychologist. You are not always able to handle it alone. A professional will tell you how to act to keep a loved one away from alcoholic beverages, he will tell you what is best to say, how to behave. If you don't feel the strength to have a serious conversation with an alcoholic, you can invite a psychologist to your home. He will be able at home to have an idea of the scale of the problem, talk to the patient and, with a high degree of probability, after a few sessions, he will direct him in the right way.
Forbidden to lie
Lying is the worst influence tool. Never try to trick an alcoholic. Of course, he wants to hear that the treatment will be simple and pleasant. But not that. A series of serious symptoms await you:
- nausea,
- to vomit,
- headache,
- weakness,
- dizziness,
- limb tremor,
- unbridled desire to drink.
Warn the patient that this will need to be addressed. A person must be mentally prepared for possible difficulties. Your task is to convince him that temporary problems can be solved, you just need to be patient for a while. Explain that full treatment at home is not possible. It will take some time to go to the hospital. The alcoholic must know what he is about to face.
Don't tell fairy tales about impossible possibilities, like that after your recovery you can drink strong drinks on holidays. There is not a single alcoholic who, after treatment, drinks a little. There are those who don't drink at all, or those who return to their old binge. You cannot set unrealistic goals. All of them must be real, at least a little bit. Otherwise, you can expect the strongest disappointment and a new breakdown.
How to help a drunk person? Do not try to wean him from alcohol at home or in secret from him. Try to explain the need for hospitalization. Don't scold the alcoholic and don't blame him for the problems that have arisen. Find the right reasons for him, something he wants besides alcohol. Speak only the truth. Never give up. If the first attempts to help did not work, it is necessary to repeat them several times.
Do not try to solve the problem yourself at home. If there is such a need, you can consult a psychologist or narcologist. Remember that you don't have to carry all the responsibility on your shoulders. Entrusting the case of persuading an alcoholic to be treated by professionals is a totally acceptable solution. Its main task is to help the patient in some way to want to get healthy again. Then the alcoholic will gradually begin to help himself.