Alcoholism is a serious disease. Addiction to alcoholic beverages undermines the human psyche, and regular use of ethyl alcohol gradually destroys all organs and systems. A heavy drinker literally destroys himself from the inside. And at the same time, it makes life unbearable for relatives and friends. How can you get someone to stop drinking? How to protect him from the negative effects of strong drinks? What can be done to restore peace and tranquility in the family?
We immediately note that it will not be possible to cure an alcoholic without his desire. So, if you decide to secretly add some kind of "miracle medicine" to his food at home, then you should know that your idea is doomed in advance. Compulsory treatment does nothing good. Besides, it is not so easy to commit a drinker to hospital without his consent. Therefore, this article will focus mainly on how to persuade an alcoholic to seek treatment, how to get him to give up alcohol on his own.
Identifying the problem
As a rule, if a person drinks a lot, then he does not consider it a disease. Often, an alcoholic will not even admit that there has been too much hard liquor lately. He believes he drinks as usual, no more than everyone else. In addition, you may encounter another difficulty: the person who drinks agrees that there is too much alcohol in his life.
Maybe he was already suffering from a constant hangover. However, at this stage, he does not want to give up yet, he does not understand that he is already an addict. Such a person believes that he will be able to wean himself from alcohol at home alone and without outside help, but not now, but one day later. It's just that "later" never comes.
Therefore, the answer to the question "how to get an alcoholic into treatment" should begin with convincing him that he is sick. This is often one of the most difficult steps. To cope with this task, you can use several tricks. Draw the patient's attention to the dangers of alcohol for health. Focus on the deterioration in well-being that the drinker has recently experienced (and in any case is likely to be to one degree or another).
Try to draw the alcoholic's attention to the fact that he already drinks too much, that alcohol has caused changes in his behavior. Tell us that you can handle it completely, you just need to start treatment as soon as possible. And finally, try to convince the drinker that there is no shame in calling yourself an alcoholic, it is shame in not admitting the obvious.
Denying the allegations
If you are wondering how to help a person who is drinking, never forget that you want to help, not blame. This is very important, because alcohol changes the psyche in such a way that a person becomes very vulnerable and even capricious. If you start punishing him like a delinquent child, he will shut down, turn away from you and it will only get worse. It is necessary to convince the alcoholic of your kind attitude. The patient must see you as a friend and ally.
Give up scandals and screams. The key to success is endless patience. Even if it's insanely hard for you, if you want to vent your emotions, then you should do it in a way that no one can see. Do not allow outsiders (such as neighbors) to accuse the drinker. Never scold him in front of others.
Help for alcoholism implies maximum softness. Of course, you can point out to the person that their alcohol addiction has a harmful effect on them and those around them, but this should be presented as a fact, not as an accusation. Remember that no one wants to be reprimanded. Do not try to insult or anger the drinker: this will only make him angry and drink more in spite of himself. Realize that alcohol speaks in a person and you have to "wake him up".
Choosing the right moment
To help with alcoholism, you need to choose the right time. This should be a period when the person does not drink. Talking to a drunkard is absolutely useless. Of course, anyone who wants to can try, but it will be extremely difficult to achieve anything, you'll just get on your nerves for nothing. Keep in mind that at home you will not be able to pull a person out of drinking on your own, so you have to be patient and wait. The "bright" period will come sooner or later, and then the question of how to help an alcoholic needs to be asked.
Help in getting rid of alcoholism should begin with a serious conversation that will provide the patient with the necessary motivation. This conversation should be conducted in a quiet environment, preferably at home. For this to work, two conditions must be met. First, the alcoholic himself must be sober (this has already been mentioned above).
Second, you yourself must be mentally prepared. Think in advance how you will convince and what words you will choose. Think about how to help an alcoholic to understand you better, choose the necessary examples. Be calm and safe. Do not forget that the first conversation, most likely, will not work. Never give up. It can always be repeated again and again, until the first successes appear.
Setting the right goals
To wean a person off hard drinks, you need to give them the right motivation. Therefore, if you asked yourself "how to help an alcoholic", you should find him an alternative to alcohol. He must understand that life is beautiful even without alcohol, that the world is full of wonderful opportunities. If you quit your job, you can find a good job. . . You will meet a decent girl. . . You will start talking to your friends again. . . Tell the patient what he liked in his past life. Give him hope that he will get what he wants (besides alcohol).
Emphasize that his health will improve significantly, that you can still restore strength in your hands and clarity of mind. True motivation should be the guiding star on the road to recovery.
Alcohol addiction is so strong that only a great goal can overcome it and wean the patient off the glass. He must strive for something other than drink. And that desire must win in the end. An alcoholic should be taken to a doctor and further supported on the difficult path.
When you are looking for an answer to the question "how to make a person stop drinking", do not be afraid to turn to a psychologist. You are not always able to cope on your own. A professional will tell you how to act in order to wean a loved one off alcoholic beverages, tell you what is better to talk about, how to behave. If you do not feel the strength in yourself for a serious conversation with an alcoholic, then you can invite a psychologist to your home. He will be able to get an idea of the scale of the problem at home, talk to the patient and, with a high probability, after a few sessions, he will put him on the right path.
No lying
Lies are the worst means of influence. Never try to trick an alcoholic. Of course, he wants to hear that the treatment will be simple and pleasant. But it didn't. A number of severe symptoms await him:
- nausea,
- throw up
- headache,
- weakness,
- dizziness,
- limb tremor,
- unbridled desire to drink.
Warn the patient that this will need to be addressed. A person must be mentally prepared for possible difficulties. Your task is to convince him that temporary troubles can be solved, you just need to be patient for a while. Explain that complete treatment at home is not possible. It will take some time to get to the hospital. An alcoholic must know what he will face.
Don't tell fairy tales about impossible possibilities, such as being able to drink strong drinks on holidays after recovery. There is not a single alcoholic who drinks a little after treatment. There are either those who do not drink at all, or those who return to their former drinking habits. You can't set unrealistic goals. Everyone should be real, at least a little. Otherwise, you can expect the strongest disappointment and a new breakdown.
How to help a drunk person? Do not try to wean him off alcohol at home or in secret. Try to explain the need for hospital treatment. Do not scold the alcoholic and do not blame him for the problems that have arisen. Find the right motives for him, something he wants besides alcohol. He speaks only the truth. Never give up. If the first attempts to help have failed, it is necessary to repeat them again and again.
Do not try to solve the problem yourself at home. If there is such a need, you can turn to a psychologist or narcologist. Remember that you don't have to carry all the responsibility on your shoulders. Entrusting the case of persuading an alcoholic to seek treatment to professionals is a perfectly acceptable solution. Your main task is to help the patient to want to become healthy again in any way possible. Then the alcoholic will gradually begin to help himself.