When a loved one is seeking help for a drinking problem and is on the road to recovery, there is a feeling of instant relief and hope by family members and friends. Not far behind these emotions are doubt and fear. Common concerns as a loved one to a recovering alcoholic:
- “What if my loved one starts to drink again?”
- “How will our relationship change?”
- “How can I help?”
- “Hopefully I don’t do anything wrong”
Alcoholism not only affects the alcoholic but also family members and loved ones of the alcoholic. Everyone’s journey with an alcoholic is unique but there are similarities. Some feel angry with the alcoholic, some feel guilty, and most have had to watch their loved one slip away and be unavailable to depend upon. The good news is that your loved one is seeking a sober lifestyle and there are ways you can help a recovering alcoholic in your life!
Get help for yourself
Many family members of a recovering alcoholic are experiencing high levels of stress due to relationship problems within the family and the fear of the unknown. It is important to get help for healing your wounds from your loved one’s alcohol abuse. Don’t be afraid to get involved in recovery support groups such as Al-Anon, 12-step meetings or individual counseling at a rehab treatment center. Family support is important and family therapy programs help families with communication and developing skills in reducing stress and coping with mental health trigger situations. It is also beneficial to receive group therapy sessions with your loved one in recovery because this increases awareness of unhealthy behavior and dysfunctional roles that alcohol use and drug abuse has created in your home.
Be supportive of their sobriety
It is important for an alcoholic in early recovery to be in an atmosphere where a sober living lifestyle is promoted. Alcohol should be taken away from the home and an end to activities where there’s a possibility of alcohol or drug use. It’s best that anyone living in the home restrain from consuming alcohol to support the loved one that’s going through the recovery process.
Help a recovering addict find a new direction
For a recovering alcoholic, the physical side of being sober is one part of the solution to the road to recovery. Another dimension is the mental health side. Alcohol was a big part of their existence for years so something else needs to fill that void once sober. After dealing with the mental illness triggers that fed the addiction, it is important for the one in substance abuse treatment to replace that void with sober activities or hobbies, a job, charity work, family involvement… anything your loved one can enjoy that promotes a sober lifestyle. Help your loved one find something they enjoy doing and be encouraging.
Try to help during stressful situations
It is stressful for both you and the alcoholic. Common stresses for a recovering alcoholic:
- Family conflicts and relationships
- Financial obligations
- Work or school
- Legal consequences of alcohol abuse
Here’s a few ways to help your loved one with stressful situations:
- Keep lines of communication open
- Don’t blame or demean
- Encourage involvement in support groups
- Be available and supportive, but don’t dwell on the stressful situation and pester about how they are coping
- Remember that laughter and humor relieves stress
Know the warning signs of relapse
A person living with a recovering alcoholic needs to know warning signs of relapse such as:
- Isolation from family and friends
- Starts to reconnect with friends from alcohol use times
- Changes in attitude or behavior
- Loss of interest in recovery
- Romanticizing past alcohol use
Find the Best Treatment for Your Loved One at Our Ohio Rehab Center
You are helping your loved one towards long term addiction recovery by understanding and supporting the life changes that are necessary to living a life free from alcohol addiction. Our Ohio rehab’s addiction treatment programs will help your loved one lead up to a sober lifestyle.