If a loved one is an alcoholic, this is a serious problem for the whole family. The situation is complicated by the fact that some people, even if they binge regularly, do not consider themselves sick. How to help a person suffering from alcoholism. Is it possible to cure a family member who drinks at home? And most importantly, how to cope with the fact that the drunk denied alcohol addiction.
How to help an alcoholic stop drinking
First of all, the patient must be aware that the disease exists, it must be treated. You have to want to get rid of drunkenness. Motivation is the main driver in this situation. Even the presence of a large number of means, opportunities and good conditions will not lead to the desired result if there is no goal and the right attitude.
Here are some basic steps you can take to help reduce alcohol cravings:
- Acceptance of the disease. As soon as the alcoholic stops denying the existence of addiction, it will be easier for him to undergo treatment, he will quickly get rid of the disease.
- Suppression of the desire to drink, control. We have to find an alternative to drinking. As soon as the idea of taking another dose of alcohol arises, you should switch to some kind of action (running, reading, walking, etc. ).
- Contrast shower 2-3 per day. It will help strengthen blood vessels, reduce cravings for alcohol.
- Drink plenty of water (at least 10 glasses of water per day).
- Give up the old life. It is necessary to avoid people, places associated with an alcoholic past.
As soon as the patient begins to drink less alcohol, he must undergo a full body diagnosis. After that, he can move on to restorative activities (vitamin therapy, light exercise, walking, etc. ).
How to help a person who drinks to stop drinking
There is no universal way to help. All alcoholics are different, and everyone's environment will also be different. But there are still some ways to help fight addiction.
You need to start treatment with a blood-purifying dropper. You can call a doctor who will carry out all the necessary manipulations. Then the entire course of treatment is planned. The main thing is that the patient wants to be treated. Then a therapy scheme is constructed. Or you will need to change your approach to the problem if you don't want to get rid of the addiction. At any stage, the patient will need the help of her loved ones, especially if she is not in the mood for treatment.
Key recommendations for families of alcoholics:
- Transfer a drinking relative to self-service. Sooner or later you will have to deal with cooking, washing, cleaning.
- Spend free time on hobbies, forgetting about exploits for the sake of a loved one.
- Do not give in on alcohol, do not succumb to the provocations of an alcoholic. You must get used to the new situation in the family.
- You are not responsible for the actions of a drinking relative. You must resolve all claims, accusations, disputes at his own expense.
You can help only those who are waiting for this, open to change. You don't have to spend your whole life saving an alcoholic.
At home
At home, only the initial stage of alcoholism can be cured. Other stages of the disease involve serious physical and mental abnormalities that require medical intervention.
It is important to follow the rules of home treatment:
- Make your own decision to give up bad habits. Mandatory therapy is ineffective.
- Observe complete peace, without stress causing breakdowns.
- Avoid as much as possible any memories of a previous life (drinking partners, places to drink alcohol).
- Give up alcohol completely.
- Join your loved ones against a common problem.
- Take the medication prescribed by your doctor.
- Strengthen the therapeutic effect of folk remedies.
Medicines are prescribed only by a doctor. Self-medication can only aggravate the disease. And decoctions, infusions according to alternative medicine recipes will enhance the positive effect and relieve the symptoms of the disease. They are most effective for intoxication with alcohol breakdown products.
Unfortunately, according to statistics, it is not always possible to help an alcoholic in home treatment. But there are still many positive results. The main thing is not to give up, follow all instructions, take steps in the right direction.
Disadvantages of home treatment:
- high probability of failure;
- lack of experience in treatment, professional psychological support;
- passivity, patient apathy, loss of motivation during long-term therapy.
In order to avoid negative consequences, serious complications, it is necessary to overcome shame, embarrassment, prejudice and other obstacles, and still seek help from a specialist. And he will already determine the severity of the disease, if necessary, recommend hospital treatment or approve home rehabilitation.
Stationary
Hospital treatment is anonymous. Therefore, you should not hide from problems, be ashamed. It is better to immediately seek the help of specialists: a narcologist, a psychiatrist, a psychotherapist, a family psychologist.
Of particular importance is the correct attitude to treatment. Alcoholism is a chronic disease that does not go away completely. Only willpower, the desire to change life will help a person to be in remission for a long time, without returning to exacerbations of the disease.
Benefits of hospital treatment:
- isolation from the impact of external negative factors;
- lack of access to alcoholic beverages;
- the possibility of a complete diagnosis;
- control over the treatment process, if necessary, timely modifications;
- suitable conditions, unlimited possibilities for complex therapy.
Severe cases of the disease are treated only in a hospital.
In a medical institution, it is easier and faster to collapse after giving up alcohol. The duration of treatment is at least 7 days.
Therapy stages:
- Elimination of toxins. The patient is prescribed droppers, regularly tested and diagnostic measures are carried out.
- Based on the results of the diagnosis, the narcologist builds a treatment program, involving the necessary specialists in the process.
- Pharmacological treatment, consultations with specialists with the participation of the patient's relatives.
- Additional follow-up of the patient after the course of treatment.
The success of therapy lies in a set of measures. The anonymous hospital is the best place for its implementation.
How to help someone stop drinking if they don't want to
Such patients will never admit that they are experiencing difficulties and, moreover, will not agree that they are dependent on alcohol. For treatment, such denial is a great barrier, an obstacle to recovery. If an alcoholic does not want to be treated, even the most experienced professionals will not help him. But even in this situation, there are ways to help the patient stop drinking:
| Method | Method Description |
|---|---|
| Belief | It works only at the initial stage of the development of the disease. You need to talk directly to the person, explain what their behavior looks like from the outside (you can record a video, bring witnesses to a meeting). The evidence effectively affects the human psyche, think about their actions. A good plot is a reminder of how a hangover goes. You can use the example of a demoted local alcoholic to show what lies ahead if he doesn't stop drinking. As soon as an alcohol lover agrees to undergo treatment, you must support him to consolidate the positive effect. |
| Jar of Hearts | An alcoholic gets into a difficult situation because of alcohol. As he tries to fix it, he rethinks his way of life. This situation is created by relatives, acquaintances. Expensive, cruel, but effective way. For example, in a company, pour sleeping pills in alcohol, take the victim to the forest, collect money, documents. Or while the drunk is distracted by friends, take the child away from him. |
| Medications, home remedies. | If persuasion does not help, you can add medicines, herbal teas to food, drinks. The action of these drugs is based on the appearance of aversion to alcohol. In combination with alcohol, such additives cause nausea, vomiting, a change in the taste of alcohol, and a strong hangover the next day. You can use such drugs only after consulting a doctor. |
| Appeal to magicians, sorcerers, healers. | At the heart of the treatment of representatives of alternative medicine are herbal infusions, spells, rituals, conspiracies. This method should be used with caution as there are many charlatans around. In addition, such treatment is always expensive and often ineffective. |
| Intimidation | Threats can be different: losing or not finding a job, not going home, not paying loans. It is not the most successful method according to psychologists. It can have the opposite effect. To scare a person who drinks with something, you have to know it well. |
How do you convince an alcoholic to go to treatment? Key recommendations:
- Avoid conflict situations, criticism of the dependent person.
- Talk about your emotions caused by the situation, but don't blame.
- Help find interesting alternative activities.
- Explain that authority among the inner circle has been lost.
- Motivate the patient with responsibility, love for life.
- Explain the importance of seeking professional help.
Faith in the power of your words, the success of actions will help to achieve a positive result.