Alcoholism is a serious disease. Dependence on alcoholic beverages undermines the human psyche, and the regular use of ethyl alcohol gradually destroys all organs and systems. He who drinks too much literally destroys himself from the inside. And at the same time, it makes the lives of family and friends unbearable. How can you make someone stop drinking? How to protect it from the negative effects of strong drinks? What can be done to bring peace and tranquility back to the family?
We immediately note that it will not work to cure an alcoholic without her desire. So if he decides to secretly add some kind of "miracle cure" to his food at home, then he must know that his idea is doomed to failure beforehand. Nothing good comes from compulsory treatment. Also, it is not so easy to deliver a drinker to a hospital without her consent. Therefore, this article will focus primarily on how to persuade an alcoholic to get treated, how to get him to quit alcohol himself.
problem recognition
As a general rule, if a person drinks a lot, he does not consider it a disease. Often the alcoholic won't even admit that he has been drinking too much hard liquor lately. He believes that he drinks as much as usual, not more than the others. In addition, he may encounter another difficulty: the drinker agrees that there is too much alcohol in his life.
Perhaps he even he was already tortured by a constant hangover. However, 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 give up alcohol, but not now, but some day later. It's just that "later" never comes.
Therefore, the answer to the question "how to get an alcoholic into treatment" must begin with convincing him that he is sick. This is often one of the most difficult steps. To cope with this task, he can use various tricks. Draw the patient's attention to the health dangers of alcohol. Focus on the deterioration in well-being that the drinker has recently experienced (and is likely to be to one degree or another in any case).
Try to draw the alcoholic's attention to the fact that he is already drinking too much, that alcohol has caused changes in his behavior. Tell us that he can fully cope with this, he just needs to start treatment as soon as possible. And finally, try to convince the drinker that it's not a shame to call yourself an alcoholic, it's a shame not to admit the obvious.
denial of accusations
If you're wondering how to help a person who drinks, never forget that you want to help, not blame. This is very important, because alcohol changes the psyche in such a way that the 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 only get worse. It is necessary to convince the alcoholic of his kind attitude. The patient must see you as a friend and an ally.
Give up scandals and shouting. The key to success is infinite patience. Even if it is incredibly difficult for you, if you want to get rid of your emotions, then you must do it so that no one sees you. Don't let strangers (such as neighbors) hurl accusations at the drinker. Never scold him in front of others.
Help for alcoholism implies maximum softness. Of course, you can point out to a person that his addiction to alcohol is having a detrimental effect on him and those around him, but this should be presented as a fact and not as an accusation. Remember that no one wants to be scolded. Do not try to offend or annoy the drinker: this will only make them angry and they will drink even more to spite you. Understand that alcohol is talking in a person and you need to "wake him up. "
choose the right moment
To help with alcoholism, you need to choose the right time. This should be a period when a person does not drink. Talking to a drunk is absolutely useless. Of course, anyone who wants to can try, but it will be extremely difficult to achieve something, you can only wear out your nerves in vain. Keep in mind that at home you will not be able to get a person out of excessive drinking on your own, 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.
Help to get rid of alcoholism should begin with a serious conversation that provides the patient with the necessary motivation. This conversation should take place in a quiet environment, preferably at home. For it to be successful, two conditions must be met. First of all, the alcoholic himself must be sober (this has already been mentioned above).
Second, you must be mentally prepared yourself. Think in advance how you will convince which words you will choose. Think about how to help the alcoholic understand you better, select the necessary examples. Be calm and confident. Do not forget that the first conversation, most likely, will not work out. Never give up. It can always be repeated over and over again, until the first hits appear.
Set the right goals
In order for a person to stop drinking strong drinks, you need to give him the right motivation. Therefore, if you wondered "how to help an alcoholic", you need to find an alternative to alcohol for him. You must understand that life is beautiful even without alcohol, that the world is full of wonderful opportunities. If you quit, you can find a good job. . . You will meet a decent girl. . . You'll start talking to friends again. . . Tell the patient what he liked in his past life. Give him hope of getting what he wants (besides alcohol).
Emphasize that his health will improve significantly, that he can still restore steady hand and mental clarity. The right motivation should be the guiding star on the road to recovery.
Alcohol dependence is so strong that only a big goal is able to overcome it and wean the patient from a glass. You must aspire to something more than liquor. And this desire must eventually win. You need to take the alcoholic to a doctor and further support him on a difficult path.
When 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 to get a loved one away from alcoholic beverages, will tell you what is better to talk about, how to behave. If you do not feel the strength in yourself to have a serious conversation with an alcoholic, you can invite a psychologist to your house. He will be able at home to get an idea of the magnitude of the problem, talk with the patient and, with a high degree of probability, after a few sessions, will guide him on the right path.
forbidden to lie
Lying is the worst tool of influence. Never try to cheat an alcoholic. Of course, you want to know that the treatment will be easy and enjoyable. But is not. A number of serious symptoms await you:
- nausea,
- threw up,
- headache,
- weakness,
- dizziness,
- limb tremor,
- unrestrained desire to drink
Advise the patient that this will need to be treated. A person must be mentally prepared for possible difficulties. Your task is to convince him that temporary problems can be solved, you just need to be patient for a while. Explain that complete treatment at home is not possible. It will be necessary for some time to go to the hospital. The alcoholic must know what he is about to face.
Do not tell fairy tales about impossible possibilities, such as after your recovery you can drink strong drinks on vacation. There is not a single alcoholic who, after undergoing treatment, drinks a little. There are those who do not drink at all or who return to their previous binge. Unrealistic goals cannot be set. All of them should be real, at least a little bit. Otherwise, you can expect the greatest disappointment and further collapse.
How to help a drunk person? Do not try to wean him off alcohol at home or secretly from him. 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. Speak only the truth. Never give up. If the first attempts to help did not work, 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 consult a psychologist or narcologist. Remember that you do not have to carry all the responsibility on your shoulders. Entrusting the case to persuade an alcoholic to be treated by professionals is a completely acceptable solution. His main task is to help the patient in any way to want to be healthy again. Then the alcoholic will gradually begin to help himself.