Are you concerned that you or someone you know may be an alcoholic? Find out how to recognise the common signs, and where to go for help. Alcoholism is the most serious form of problem drinking, and describes a strong, often uncontrollable, desire to drink. Sufferers of alcoholism will often place drinking above all other obligations, including work and family, and may build up a physical tolerance or experience withdrawal symptoms if they stop.
Alcoholism is sometimes known as alcohol addiction or alcohol dependence. An example of harmful drinking is drinking too much at a party, and risking a fall or argument. This pattern may develop into alcoholism if that kind of harmful drinking becomes a habit and happens on a regular basis. The low risk drinking guidelines advise it is safest not to drink more than 14 units a week on a regular basis.
It can be tricky to spot the signs of alcoholism as alcoholics can be secretive about it and can become angry if confronted. If you think you may be drinking too much, or that your drinking is beginning to have a damaging effect on your life, we have a quick test that can help you understand if there is cause for concern.
Take the alcohol self-assessment. In many cases, the first step of treating alcoholism is acknowledging there is a problem. As with many health problems the second step is to seek help from a healthcare professional, like your local GP who can refer you to a specialist. Or, try the alcohol support services available.
Mutual help groups such as Alcoholics Anonymous AA is widely available, free and there is no waiting list: just phone their helpline , turn up and watch how they help each other. A doctor will diagnose alcoholism when three or more of the following have been present together in the past year 1 :. There are different treatments available for people diagnosed with alcoholism but a key stage of treatment is detoxification. For example, alcohol is everywhere.
Ask about new strategies that they learned in treatment or meetings. Stay invested in their long-term recovery. Patience is necessary. The most successful treatment happens when a person wants to change. Remember to take care of yourself, too. The emotional impact of helping a loved one stay sober can take a toll. Seek help from a therapist or a counselor if you feel stressed or depressed.
This is called codependency. You may get to the point where you feel compelled to help your person get well. However, family members and friends often have deep emotional ties that prevent them from having the objective viewpoint necessary for treatment. Finding the right way to approach someone you think may have an alcohol use disorder can be tough. Before you speak with them, try putting yourself in their shoes. Learn about the treatment options for alcohol addiction, including detoxification, behavior modification, counseling, and medication.
But finding strength, support, and positivity in an app can offer…. Health Conditions Discover Plan Connect. How to Help Someone with an Alcohol Addiction.
Medically reviewed by Timothy J. Legg, Ph. Approach Support Self-care Takeaway When is it considered alcoholism? How to approach someone with alcohol use disorder. How to support your loved one through their journey.
Get help for yourself. Read this next. Treating Alcohol Use Disorder. It is only when they experience their own pain that they will feel a need to change. Natural consequences may mean that you refuse to spend any time with the alcoholic. This decision is not being mean or unkind. It is an act of protection for yourself. It is not your job to "cure" your loved one's alcoholism, but allowing natural consequences to occur is one factor that can push a person from the pre-contemplative stage to contemplative stage of overcoming addiction.
The contemplative stage ends with the decision to make a change, yet further steps such as preparation, action, and later maintenance and likely relapse are usually needed before the addiction is controlled. After years of covering up for the alcoholic and not talking about "the problem" outside the family, it may seem daunting to reach out for help from a support group, such as Al-Anon Family Groups.
But millions have found solutions that lead to serenity inside those meetings. Going to an Al-Anon meeting is one of those things that once you do it, you say, "I should have done this years ago. Things you can start doing to help your loved one. The following suggestions have been adapted from Dunklin's prescription for recovery.
Although they are aimed at Christian families struggling with addiction, the principles can be applied by everyone. There may be very little you can do to help the alcoholic until they are ready to get help, but you can stop letting someone's drinking problem dominate your thoughts and your life.
It's okay to make choices that are good for your own physical and mental health. Learn the best ways to manage stress and negativity in your life. McCoy T, Dunlop W. Down on the upside: Redemption, contamination, and agency in the lives of adult children of alcoholics. Social processes explaining the benefits of Al-Anon participation. Psychology of Addicted Behaviors. Al-Anon newcomers: Benefits of continuing attendance for six months. American Journal of Drug and Alcohol Abuse.
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These choices will be signaled globally to our partners and will not affect browsing data. We and our partners process data to: Actively scan device characteristics for identification. I Accept Show Purposes. Blaming Yourself It's typical for alcoholics to try to blame their drinking on circumstances or others around them, including those who are closest to them. Taking It Personally When alcoholics promise they will never drink again, but a short time later are back to drinking as much as always, it is easy for family members to take the broken promises and lies personally.
Trying to Control It Many family members of alcoholics naturally try everything they can think of to get their loved one to stop drinking.
Trying to Cure It Make no mistake about it, alcoholism and alcohol dependence are primary, chronic, and progressive diseases that sometimes can be fatal. Covering It Up There is a joke in recovery circles about an alcoholic in denial who screams, "I don't have a problem, so don't tell anyone! Accepting Unacceptable Behavior Accepting unacceptable behavior usually begins with some small incident that family members brush off with, "They just had too much to drink. Having Unreasonable Expectations One problem of dealing with an alcoholic is what might seem like a reasonable expectation in some circumstances, might be totally unreasonable when it comes to someone with an addiction.
Living in the Past The key to dealing with alcoholism in the family is staying focused on the situation as it exists today.
Enabling Their Behavior Often, in trying to "help," well-meaning loved ones will actually do something that enables alcoholics to continue along their destructive paths. The exact answer depends on the specific situation, but typically two things happen: The alcoholic never feels the pain. It takes the focus off of the alcoholic's behavior. Quiz: Are You Enabling and Alcoholic? Putting Off Getting Help After years of covering up for the alcoholic and not talking about "the problem" outside the family, it may seem daunting to reach out for help from a support group, such as Al-Anon Family Groups.
Healing Statements I no longer have to deny the presence of addiction in our family. I no longer have to control the addict's using. I no longer have to rescue the addict. I no longer have to listen to the addict's reasons for using. I no longer have to accept or extract promises.
I no longer have to seek advice from the ill-informed. I no longer have to nag, preach, coax, or gesture. I no longer need to allow the addict to abuse me or my children. I no longer have to be a victim of addiction. A Word From Verywell There may be very little you can do to help the alcoholic until they are ready to get help, but you can stop letting someone's drinking problem dominate your thoughts and your life.
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