If you’ve noticed signs of alcohol abuse in a family member, then it’s time to address the issue. The sooner you’re able to address the problem, the sooner you’ll have peace of mind. Even if you’re not able to end the alcoholic’s abusive ways, you’ll feel more relaxed knowing that you did what you could.
Before diving into the recovery process, you must first know how to talk to an alcoholic. Not everyone is receptive to other’s opinions, feelings, or concerns. To ensure that you’re as successful as possible in helping your loved one recover, you’ll need to follow a few steps.
Continue reading below to find out more!
Start With Support
The first step you need to take is to find support. This is a step that you want to take before approaching your loved one. An intervention specialist is a great support system to have.
These professionals will provide you with advice, resources, and other tips on how to go about addressing the issue. If you’re not able to hire an intervention specialist, or would like to keep things more personal, be sure to contact any close friends and family members.
Any person you can find who loves your loved one and wants to see him or her do better will work as a wonderful support system. Visit this post for more tips on how to deal with an alcoholic in the family.
Give Self-Care
Your next step is to give yourself self-care. You need to prepare yourself for the worst but go in fighting for the best. There’s no way to predict how your loved one will respond to your concerns and thoughts on their alcohol abuse.
With that being said, you need to prepare yourself for any harsh words thrown your way or any refusals to address the issue by your loved one. Remember not to take anything personally.
Create a List of Treatment Options
Before you approach your loved one with your concerns, you should have a list put together of different treatment options. This step is important because you want to have somewhere for your loved on to go in case he or she agrees to seek treatment. If you have a list of resources available for your loved one, then it’s more likely that he or she will take advantage of them.
If you don’t have this list created, then you’re leaving it up to him or her to do the research for themselves, and that’s not as effective.
Stage an Intervention if Needed
When everything is ready to go, it’s time to stage an intervention. This is when you’ll be able to speak to your loved one about your concerns. Gather all close family members or friends and an intervention specialist to conduct the intervention.
Choosing a location outside of the family home helps your loved one feel less ambushed or defensive. Everything you say from this point on should be out of love. Never react in a defensive way or in a combative way and be sure to listen.
Learn How to Talk to an Alcoholic with These Simple Steps!
Learning how to talk to an alcoholic isn’t the easiest task. You need to be cautious of your words and your tone as well. Follow these steps above and be sure to continue to participate in your loved one’s treatment throughout the entire process.
