Alcoholism is a serious disease. Dependence on alcoholic beverages affects the human psyche, and the gradual consumption of ethyl alcohol gradually destroys all organs and systems. People who drink a lot really destroy themselves from within. And at the same time, it makes the lives of relatives and friends unbearable. How can you make someone stop drinking? How to protect it from the negative effects of alcohol? What can be done to bring peace and quiet back to the family?
We note immediately that it will not be effective to cure an alcoholic without his desire. So, if you decide to secretly add some kind of "magic cure" to his food at home, then you should know that your idea is destined to fail first. Nothing good comes from mandatory treatment. In addition, it is not so easy to hand over a drinker to a hospital without his or her consent. Therefore, this article will focus mainly on how to persuade an alcoholic to be treated, how to make him stop alcohol himself.
Problem recognition
As a rule, if a person drinks a lot, then he does not consider it a disease. Often, alcoholics will not admit that there has been too much alcohol lately. He believed that he drank as much as usual, no more than anyone else. In addition, you may face another difficulty: the drinker agrees that there is too much alcohol in his or her life.
Maybe he, too, was already tormented by constant drunkenness. Yet, at this stage, he still doesn’t want to quit, he doesn’t understand that he is already addicted. Such a person believes that by himself and without outside help at home he will be able to break free from alcohol, but not now, but someday. Only "later" never came.
Therefore, the answer to the question "how to get alcohol treatment" should start with convincing him that he is ill. This is often one of the most difficult steps. To cope with this task, you can use some tricks. Draw the patient's attention to the dangers of alcohol to health. Focus on the decline in well-being experienced by drinkers recently (and it is likely to be to one degree or another in any case).
Try to draw the attention of the alcoholic to the fact that he is already drinking too much, that alcohol has caused a change in his behavior. Tell us that you can overcome this completely, you just need to start treatment as soon as possible. And finally, trying to convince drinkers that it’s not a shame to call yourself an alcoholic, it’s a shame not to admit the obvious.
Denial of allegations
If you’re wondering how to help people who drink, then don’t forget that you want to help, not blame. This is very important, because alcohol changes the soul in such a way that a person becomes very vulnerable and even fickle. If you start punishing him like a naughty kid, he will shut up, turn away from you, and it will get worse. It is necessary to convince the alcoholic about your good attitude. Patients must see you as a friend and ally.
Leave scandal and screams. The key to success is endless patience. While it is very difficult for you, if you want to get rid of your emotions, then you have to do it so that no one sees. Don’t let outsiders (like neighbors) throw accusations at drinkers. Never scold him in front of others.
Help for alcoholism implies maximum tenderness. Of course, you can show someone that his or her addiction to alcohol has a detrimental effect on him or her and on those around him, but this should be presented as a fact, and not as an accusation. Remember no one wants to be scolded. Don’t try to offend or annoy the drinker: this will only make him angry and will drink more to scold you. Understand that alcohol speaks inside a person, and you need to "awaken" him.
Choosing the Right Moment
To help with alcohol, you need to choose the right time. This is supposed to be a period when one does not drink. Talking to drunk people is completely useless. Of course, anyone who wants to try can try, but it will be very difficult to achieve something, you can only damage your nerves in vain. Please note that at home you will not be able to get someone out of their own hangover, so you have 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.
Assistance in getting rid of alcohol should begin with a serious conversation that will give the patient the necessary motivation. These conversations should take place in a quiet environment, preferably at home. To be successful, two conditions must be met. First, the alcoholic himself must be aware (this has been mentioned above).
Second, you yourself must be mentally prepared. Think first about how you will convince the words you will choose. Think of how to help alcoholics understand you better, choose the necessary example. Keep calm and confident. Don’t forget that the first conversation, most likely, won’t work. Do not give up. It can always be repeated over and over again, until the first success appears.
Set the right goals
To stop someone from drinking alcohol, you must give him the right motivation. So, if you are wondering "how to help an alcoholic", you should look for an alternative to alcohol for him. He must understand that this life is beautiful even without alcohol, that this world is full of wonderful opportunities. If you quit, you can get a good job. . . You will meet a good girl. . . You will start talking to friends again. . . Tell the patient about what he or she liked in his or her past life. Give him hope to get what he wants (besides alcohol).
Emphasize that his health will improve significantly, that you can still restore hand firmness and clarity of mind. Proper motivation should be the guiding star on the path to recovery.
The dependence on alcohol is so strong that only a great goal can overcome it and wean the patient from the glass. He must be targeting something other than booze. And this desire must ultimately prevail. It should bring alcohol to the doctor and in turn support him in a difficult way.
When looking for answers to the question "how to make someone stop drinking, " don’t be afraid to turn to a psychologist. You can't always handle it on your own. A professional will tell you how to act to wean a loved one from alcoholic beverages, tell you what is better to discuss, how to behave. If you do not feel the strength in yourself to have a serious conversation with alcohol, then you can invite a psychologist to your home. He or she will be able at home to get an idea of the scale of the problem, talk to the patient and, with a high degree of probability, after a few sessions, he or she will direct him or her to the right path.
It is forbidden to lie
Lies are the worst tools of influence. Never try to fool a drunkard. Of course, she wanted to hear that the treatment would be easy and fun. But no. Some severe symptoms await him:
- nausea,
- vomit,
- Headache,
- weakness,
- dizziness,
- limb tremors,
- uncontrolled desire to drink.
Warn the patient that this needs to be addressed. One must be mentally prepared to face possible difficulties. Your job is to convince him that temporary problems can be dealt with, you just have to be patient for a while. Explain that complete treatment at home is not possible. It will take some time to go to the hospital. The drunkard must know what he is going to face.
Do not tell fairy tales about the impossible, as after recovery you can drink alcohol on holidays. There was not a single alcoholic who, after undergoing treatment, drank little. There are either those who don’t drink at all, or those who go back to their old parties. You cannot set unrealistic goals. Everything should be real, at least a little bit. Otherwise, you can expect the strongest frustrations and new damage.
How to help a drunk person? Don’t try to divorce her from alcohol at home or secretly from her. Try to explain the need for inpatient treatment. Don't scold the drunk and don't blame him for the problems that arise. Find a suitable motive for him, something he wants other than alcohol. Just speak the truth. Do not give up. If the first attempt to help is unsuccessful, it is necessary to repeat it again and again.
Don’t 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 shoulder all the responsibilities on your shoulders. Entrusting the case of persuading an alcoholic to be treated by a professional is a completely acceptable solution. Your main job is to help the patient in any way to want to be healthy again. Then the alcoholic will gradually begin to help himself.