Helping Someone with a Drink Problem
Harmful use of alcohol doesn't just affect the drinker, it also affects the lives of those closest to them.If you are worried about someone you care about e.g. a partner, relative or friend, who may be experiencing problems with alcohol, the first step is acknowledging the problem.
If you want to help you need to:
- Appreciate that their drinking is causing problems
- Be direct
- Refuse to make excuses for them
- Accept that you cannot rationalise their reasons for drinking
- Recognise that putting additional pressures on them is not helpful.
It can be difficult for someone to admit they need help. Offering to accompany them to visit their GP, who may offer advice and support or will direct them to appropriate services or groups who can help, is a good place to begin.
Helping someone to come to terms with their drinking is challenging. But by accessing information, support or help, you can help them make the changes that can result in reducing the harm caused to the themselves, their family and friends.