Alcoholism is a dangerous disease. Dependence on alcoholic beverages weakens the human psyche, and regular use of ethyl alcohol gradually destroys all organs and systems. People who drink a lot of alcohol are truly self-destructive from within. And at the same time make the life of relatives and friends not as expected. How can you make someone stop drinking? How to protect him from the negative effects of strong drinks? What can be done to bring peace and quiet to the family?
We immediately note that it will not be effective to cure an alcoholic without his wishes. So if you decide to secretly add some kind of "healing potion" to his food at home, then you should know that your idea is bound to fail first. Nothing good comes from forced treatment. Also, sending an alcoholic to the hospital without his or her consent is not easy. Therefore, this article will focus mainly on how to convince an alcoholic to get treatment, how to get him to quit drinking on his own.
Problem awareness
As a rule, if a person drinks a lot, then he or she does not consider it a disease. Usually, alcoholics won't even admit that there's been too much hard liquor lately. He believes he drinks as much as usual, not more than others. In addition, you may have another difficulty: the drinker agrees that there is too much alcohol in his life.
Perhaps he was even tortured by the constant feeling of a hangover. However, at this stage, he doesn't want to quit, not understanding that he's already addicted. Such a person believes that on his own and without outside help at home he will be able to quit drinking, but not now, but someday later. It's just that "later" never came.
Therefore, the answer to the question "how to put an alcoholic in treatment" should begin with convincing him that he is ill. This is often one of the hardest steps. To cope with this task, you can use a number of tricks. Draw the patient's attention to the health dangers of alcohol. Focus on the decline in health the drinker has recently experienced (and it could be to one degree or another in any case).
Trying to draw the alcoholic's attention to the fact that he drank too much, alcohol caused changes in his behavior. Please tell us you can cope with this completely, you just need to start treatment as soon as possible. And finally, try to convince the drinker that there's no shame in calling yourself an alcoholic, it's a shame not to admit the obvious.
Deny the allegation
If you are wondering how to help someone who is drinking, never forget that you want to help, not blame. This is very important, because alcohol alters the psyche in such a way that a person becomes very vulnerable and even capricious. If you start punishing him like a child delinquent, he will close the door, turn his back on you, and it will only get worse. It is necessary to convince the alcoholic of your kindness. The patient must see you as a friend and ally.
Abandon scuffles and shouting. The key to success is endless patience. Even if it's hard for you, if you want to vent your feelings, then you need to do it so no one can see. Don't let outsiders (such as neighbors) denounce the drinker. Never scold him in front of others.
Help with alcoholism implies maximum softness. Of course, you can point out to a person that his alcoholism has an adverse effect on him and those around him, but this should be presented as a fact, not an accusation. sin. Remember that no one wants to be scolded. Don't try to offend or anger the drinker: this will only make him angry and will drink even more to upset you. Understand that alcohol is talking to a person, and you need to "wake up" him.
Choose the right time
To quit drinking, you need to choose the right time. This should be the period when a person does not drink alcohol. Talking to a drunk person is completely useless. Of course, anyone who wants to can try, but to achieve something will be extremely difficult, you can only strain your nerves in vain. Please note that at home, you won't be able to help someone with alcohol addiction on their own, so you need to be patient and wait. The "bright" period will come sooner or later, and at that time it is necessary to ask the question of how to help an alcoholic.
Help with alcohol withdrawal should begin with a serious conversation that will provide the patient with the motivation they need. This conversation should be conducted in a quiet environment, preferably at home. To be successful, two conditions need to be met. First, the alcoholic himself must be sober (this was mentioned above).
Second, you have to prepare yourself mentally. Think in advance about how you will convince the words you will choose. Think of ways to help the alcoholic get to know you better, selecting the necessary examples. Be calm and confident. Don't forget that the first conversation, most likely, will not be productive. Never give up. It can always be repeated, until the first successes appear.
Set the right goals
To wean a hard drinker, you have to give them the proper motivation. Therefore, if you are wondering "how to help an alcoholic", you should find an alcohol alternative for him. He must understand that life is beautiful even without alcohol, that the world is full of wonderful opportunities. If you quit, you might find a good job… You will meet a nice girl… You will start talking to friends again… Tell the patient what he liked in his past lifemine. Give him hope of getting what he wants (besides alcohol).
Emphasize that his health will improve significantly, you can still restore the firmness of the hands and clear mind. The right motivation should be the guiding star on the road to recovery.
The dependence on alcohol is so strong that it can only overcome the great goal and detox for the patient. He has to aim for something other than alcohol. And this desire must ultimately win. It will lead the alcoholic to see a doctor and give him extra support on the difficult road.
When looking for an answer to the question "how to get someone to stop drinking, " don't be afraid to turn to a psychologist. You can't always cope on your own. An expert will tell you how to act to wean a loved one, tell you what better to say, how to behave. If you don't feel the strength to have a serious talk with an alcoholic, you can invite a psychologist to your home. He should be able to stay at home to get an idea of the scale of the problem, talk to the patient, and with high probability, after a few sessions, he will steer him on the right path.
Forbidden to lie
Lying is the worst tool of influence. Never try to fool an alcoholic. Of course, he wants to hear that the treatment will be simple and enjoyable. But it's not. Several serious symptoms await him:
- nausea,
- vomiting,
- headache,
- weak,
- dizzy,
- trembling limbs,
- unable to control the urge to drink.
Warn the patient that this will have to be handled. 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 it is not possible to treat it completely at home. It will take some time to get to the hospital. An alcoholic must know what he is about to face.
Do not tell fairy tales about improbable possibilities, such as after recovering, you can drink strong drinks on holiday. Not a single alcoholic after treatment drank a little. There are people who don't drink at all, or who go back to their old pleasures. You cannot set unrealistic goals. They all have to be real, at least a little bit. Otherwise, you can expect the biggest disappointment and a fresh break.
How to help a drunk person? Don't try to quit drinking for him at home or in secret with him. Try to explain the need for inpatient treatment. Do not scold the alcoholic and do not blame him for the problems that have arisen. Find the right motive for him, something he wants besides alcohol. Just tell the truth. Never give up. If the first attempts at help are unsuccessful, it is necessary to repeat them several times.
Don't try to solve the problem yourself at home. If there is such a need, you can consult a psychologist or narrator. Remember that you don't have to shoulder all the responsibilities. Entrusting the case to convince an alcoholic to be treated by professionals is a perfectly acceptable solution. Your main task is to help the patient in any way if you want to be healthy again. After that, the alcoholic will gradually begin to help himself.