How to Help an Alcoholic: Supporting Someone With a Drinking Problem

Recognizing When Someone May Need Help With Alcohol

What Is Alcohol Use Disorder?

Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD) describes an individual’s inability to stop or control alcohol use despite adverse consequences on their social, occupational, or health life. 

For a high-functioning alcoholic, these consequences may not be immediately visible, making it harder to recognize the severity of the issue. 

What Are the Signs of a Drinking Problem?

Key signs of alcoholism include a heightened tolerance to alcohol, withdrawal symptoms when not drinking, and an overwhelming urge to drink beyond one’s control. 

If you’re asking yourself, “How do I know if I’m an alcoholic?” according to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA), approximately 29.5 million Americans aged 12 and older had Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD) in 2022.

How Does Alcohol Dependence Affect Someone?

Alcohol affects almost every organ in the body, increasing the risk for chronic diseases, mental health conditions, and social issues, according to the NIAAA.

Specific physical issues taking place in the body due to alcoholism include cardiovascular, liver, and digestive issues, in addition to an increased risk of cancer.

What Are the Signs of Alcohol Abuse?

Key signs of alcohol use disorder include the following:

• Intense cravings to drink
• Drinking more or spending more time drinking
• Frequent sickness from hangovers
• Unable to keep responsibilities at work, school, or home 
• Increased tolerance that requires more alcohol to achieve the same effect
• Shaking, sweating, nausea, or trouble sleeping when sober 
• Increased dangerous activities, such as driving drunk

How Does Binge Drinking Differ From Alcohol Dependence?

Binge drinking is defined as reaching a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of 0.08% or higher, while alcoholism is the chronic disease that occurs when an individual cannot stop or control their drinking. 

NIAAA describes binge drinking as having occurred when men consume 5 or more drinks (or women consume 4 or more drinks) within approximately two hours. 

What Are the 7 Personality Traits of an Alcoholic?

The following are the 7 personality traits of an alcoholic:

• Impulse control issues
• Increased neuroticism, emotional instability, and psychological distress
• Seeking out risky or dangerous behavior
• Displaying an increased extraverted personality
• Higher antagonism or less concern for others
• Less ability to deal with daily stresses

How to Help Someone With Alcoholism

What Can You Do To Help Someone With a Drinking Problem?

Supporting someone with alcoholism involves recognizing the signs early through empathy and understanding, along with knowledge of available treatment options. 

Specialized programs that include residential care and detoxification are pivotal in addressing the multifaceted aspects of alcohol abuse. For those wondering if alcoholism can run in the family, exploring genetic factors is key, as alcoholism is not a reflection of an individual’s willpower or moral standing. The World Health Organization (WHO) reveals that 3 million deaths every year result from harmful use of alcohol worldwide, representing 5.3% of all deaths. 

How Can You Help Someone With Alcoholism Without Enabling Them?

Consistent emotional support from friends and family is critical in sustaining motivation and resilience during this journey. 

Being a dependable listener, engaging in sober activities together, and offering encouragement through the highs and lows are essential components of effective support. 

How to Deal With a Functioning Alcoholic?

Choosing a good time to communicate, using “I” statements, and not enabling a functioning alcoholic are the best ways to help someone with AUD.

Speak to the person when they’re sober, calm, and focused. Using “I” statements helps focus the conversation on how the person’s behavior affects you, as long as you don’t make excuses for their drinking. Set boundaries that you keep in connection with their drinking while also staying focused on your own well-being: 

How to Help an Alcoholic Who Doesn’t Want Help?

Share helpful information about getting help for alcoholism with the person in a supportive way before setting boundaries if they are unresponsive.

Helping them understand the consequences of their actions can make a difference in their lives. Finding out what is at the heart of their denial can also help you understand their point of view to take the best course of action. If they’re still unresponsive, it may be time to set limits in your relationship.

How to Help a Partner With Alcohol Addiction?

Focus your discussion on your partner’s behaviors instead of their alcoholism as a whole, without enabling or losing healthy boundaries.

Share your concern for your partner from a place of empathy instead of direct judgment. Set clear boundaries around what behavior you can live with, and make sure to practice self-care for your own well-being. Encourage them to seek professional help by offering options that work for them, such as Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) or licensed therapists.

What to Say and Do When Someone Has a Drinking Problem

What Should You Not Say to an Alcoholic?

When speaking to someone with alcoholism, avoid negative, judgmental comments that do not show empathy.

Things like asking why they can’t stop, attacking them instead of focusing on their behavior, or downplaying their medical condition don’t help. Show them support by listening to them and being there to help them find the help they need.

How Can You Talk to Someone About Their Drinking Problem?

Initiating an open and honest dialogue is a critical first step in aiding someone with alcoholism. 

Approach them with empathy and concern, emphasizing your observations without casting judgment. It’s crucial to communicate your worries about their behavior changes and assure them of your unwavering support throughout their journey.

How Can You Encourage Someone to Seek Professional Help?

Suggest professional intervention where they can get the help and support they need.

Facilities like Align Recovery Centers provide a holistic treatment approach that includes medically supervised detoxification to manage withdrawal symptoms safely and residential programs to support recovery in a structured environment.

If you have an alcoholic mother, encouraging her to seek treatment can be challenging, but professional care provides the structure and resources needed to help her regain control of her life.

When Should You Consider a Professional Intervention?

Considering professional intervention should occur when previous attempts have failed, and the individual is experiencing a higher risk or more complex AUD.

If no change is made after personal intervention or talk(s), or they are in danger of self-harm, it’s also a good idea to suggest professional intervention. This is also true if they also have co-occurring mental health conditions, such as anxiety disorders, depression, or PTSD. 

How to Support Someone Who Is in Recovery

What Ways Can You Support Someone’s Sobriety?

Active listening without judgment while providing continued support is a way to encourage sobriety.

Additionally, provide sober spaces for the individual, and taking part in non-drinking activities such as movies, walks, coffee dates, or game nights can encourage them without providing any alcohol-related triggers.

What Can You Do When Someone Is Trying to Stop Drinking?

Support those who are trying to stop drinking through encouragement, assisting them in avoiding triggers, and helping them locate professional recovery resources.

How Can Family Members Support Long-Term Recovery?

Helping someone with alcoholism begins with understanding, empathy, and a commitment to support them through their recovery journey. 

At Align Recovery Centers, we’re dedicated to providing the comprehensive care and support individuals need to overcome alcoholism and rebuild their lives. 

What Should You Do If Someone Relapses?

When someone you know relapses, approach them with compassion rather than disappointment or anger.

Understand that their relapse doesn’t indicate failure, but is a reason to adjust and rework their recovery plan. Encourage professional guidance to support them on their path to sobriety.

Alcohol Withdrawal and the Need for Professional Treatment

What Are the Symptoms of Alcohol Withdrawal?

Ahead are some key withdrawal symptoms for alcohol use disorder:

• Headache
• Anxiety or irritability
• Insomnia or sleep disorders
• Excessive sweating
• Digestive issues
• Increased heart rate or blood pressure
• Tremors or seizures
• Confusion
• Hallucinations

When Does Alcohol Withdrawal Require Medical Supervision?

Medical detox is required for the safe elimination of alcohol from the body and the careful management of potentially severe withdrawal symptoms, according to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA).

At Align Recovery Centers, our medical alcohol detox includes 24/7 nursing and medical oversight to prepare clients for the next steps in their holistic recovery journey. Through our residential care and detox programs, we aim to empower individuals with the tools and support necessary to move toward a life of sobriety and well-being.

Why Can Detox Be Dangerous for Someone With Alcohol Dependence?

Detox from alcohol misuse can lead to complications such as seizures, hallucinations, mental confusion, and tremors. 

Getting help through medical detox programs such as those offered by Align Recovery Centers is the safest way to detox the bohttps://alignsonoma.com/how-we-treat/dual-diagnosis/dy from alcohol by monitoring and managing withdrawal symptoms.

When Should Someone Consider Residential Treatment?

Residential treatment is a viable option when outpatient care isn’t enough for individuals to feel safe, stable, or be able to fully function.

Severe co-occurring mental health disorders, self-harm, or suicidal ideation are also reasons to seek out inpatient treatment and dual diagnosis for alcohol use disorder.

Treatment Options for Alcohol Use Disorder

What Treatment Options Are Available for Alcohol Addiction?

Treatment programs offering medically supervised detoxification and residential care provide a nurturing environment conducive to healing.

While detoxification addresses physical dependency on alcohol, residential treatment also focuses on the psychological and emotional factors contributing to the addiction for a more comprehensive recovery plan.

Can Therapy Help Someone With Alcohol Use Disorder?

Therapy helps treat AUD by identifying personal triggers and thought patterns while teaching healthy coping skills to foster long-term recovery.

At Align Recovery, our structured, evidence-based therapies include cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) that address physical dependency aspects, along with the mental conditions that occur alongside alcoholism.

How Does Family Therapy Help With Alcohol Addiction?

Family therapy helps with alcohol addiction by improving communication between family members and teaching them strategies to support their loved one in recovery and beyond.

Align Recovery Centers offers multiple family-focused activities, including weekly family therapy meetings and on-site clinician-assisted family visits.

Can Online Therapy Help With a Drinking Problem?

Online therapy can help individuals in their recovery from AUD through virtual meetings and follow-up with guided therapist support. 

Align Recovery Centers offers our alumni a clients-only app to support their post-recovery journey and prevent relapses.

What Are the Benefits of Residential Treatment for Alcohol Addiction?

Residential care provides a secure and nurturing environment where individuals are encouraged to engage fully with their recovery process. 

Align Recovery offers personalized support tailored to each client’s needs, including dual diagnosis to address the underlying causes of their addiction and continued peer support throughout treatment and post-recovery. 

Recovery Paths and Support for Alcohol Addiction

Can Alcoholics Anonymous Help Someone Stop Drinking?

Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) helps people stop drinking by providing structured support and a community of peers to support their recovery process, according to the Stanford School of Medicine.

AA’s 12-step structure motivates individuals experiencing AUD through meetings and sponsors who offer support.

What Are Al-Anon Family Groups?

Al-Anon family groups are a 12-step organization for friends and relatives of individuals struggling with alcohol use disorder. 

Alcoholism can affect loved ones of those with alcoholism, including family members, partners, and friends.

How Do Support Groups Help With Recovery?

Support groups can lower the risk of relapse by providing a supportive community for those in recovery.

These groups also reduce isolation and help those in treatment find ways to cope through social accountability and peer support.

What Is SMART Recovery?

SMART Recovery stands for Self-Management and Recovery Training, which helps individuals overcome alcoholism and substance use disorders through evidence-based therapies.

Align Recovery Centers’ programs include exposure to SMART Recovery methods such as 12‑step (AA/NA) with on‑site and off‑site meetings, along with virtual alternatives (Recovery Dharma, Remix).  

What Is Women for Sobriety?

Women for Sobriety (WFS) is a female-focused addiction recovery program created by sociologist Jean Kirkpatrick. Its focus is on gender-specific recovery for women facing AUD. 

Align Recovery Centers also offers gender-specific process groups, such as an on-site men’s stag and a women’s process group every Saturday. 

Are 12-Step Programs the Only Path to Sobriety?

No, 12-step programs are not the only path to sobriety. 

Other evidence-based, non-12-step alternatives can be just as effective, including SMART Recovery, LifeRing Secular Recovery, and Women for Sobriety (WFS).

Can Sober Living Help After Treatment?

Yes, sober living environments (SLE) can help after completing residential treatment. 

Individuals living in a structured SLE have been known to reduce relapse rates and improve mental health post-recovery. Align Recovery’s aftercare program provides referrals for placement in sober living environments.

Taking Care of Yourself While Helping Someone With Alcohol Addiction

Why Is Self-Care Important for Loved Ones?

Self-care helps loved ones and caregivers avoid burnout while reducing the risk of physical ailments and mental health conditions.

It assists caregivers in providing more supportive care to their family member in need during alcohol misuse treatment.

How Can Family Members Set Healthy Boundaries?

Clear communication about what behaviors you will not tolerate or enable is necessary to prevent codependency and ensure that your support remains constructive. 

Establishing and maintaining these boundaries helps create a balanced dynamic that supports their recovery while protecting their well-being.

How Can Loved Ones Cope With Stress, Anxiety, and Depression?

Engaging with support groups, friends, or family members who understand the challenges can give loved ones the emotional replenishment and perspective needed to continue offering effective support. 

Align Recovery Centers advocate for the importance of a supportive community not only for those overcoming addiction but also for their caregivers, recognizing that a strong support network is crucial for the health and well-being of everyone involved.

When Should a Loved One Seek Professional Support?

A loved one should seek professional support when emotional or behavioral issues continue for an extended amount of time, begin to disrupt life, or involve thoughts of self-harm. 

Warning signs include severe mood swings, intense withdrawal, major changes in sleep or eating, or an inability to cope with routine tasks.

FAQs About How to Help an Alcoholic

Can You Force an Alcoholic to Get Help?

No, you cannot force an alcoholic to accept help, although you can support them wherever they are. 

Practice continued patience while setting clear boundaries. Find professional guidance on effective strategies focused on supportive communication and professional treatment plans.

How Do You Know If You’re Enabling Someone’s Drinking?

Enabling someone’s drinking protects them from the consequences of their alcohol use.

Examples include making excuses for them, fixing problems that their AUD creates, or supporting their habit financially, which perpetuates the cycle of alcohol misuse.

Can Someone With Alcohol Use Disorder Recover Without Treatment?

Yes, someone with an alcohol use disorder (AUD) can recover without professional treatment, and it is called “natural recovery.”

Natural recovery typically works for those with mild-to-moderate AUD, while individuals with severe alcohol use disorder may require medical detox and professional treatment plans to make a full recovery. Align Recovery Centers provides both medically supervised detox and residential treatment that addresses each individual as a whole during their path to healing.

What Should You Do If Someone Is Experiencing Severe Alcohol Withdrawal?

Call 911 immediately if someone shows signs of severe alcohol withdrawal, including seizures, confusion, shaking, or hallucinations.

Severe withdrawal from alcohol can be dangerous and requires emergency medical care.