It can be hard for an individual to accept the fact that they are addicted to alcohol; they might think they can overcome and stop the use of alcohol any time if they will; it might be them overlooking reality, it might be out of fear of the societal judgments, or they may be scared to admit their addiction. In a tough time like this, understanding and support from a loved one is all an individual requires. Families have become weaker as a result of alcohol abuse, and what’s worse is that this loss was intentional; the individuals were responsible for it themselves. Due to a lack of knowledge, there was nothing the family could do for the individual, nor did the individual find a way out. Alcohol residential treatment and substance abuse treatment programs have proved to help a thousand families like that, and they want to do so as long as they can to give light to the hope of giving life one more chance.
The lack of support and understanding in a time like this stresses the individual to the point that the only way out they find is pushing their problems under the rug by the consumption of alcohol. There might be times when an individual may not be able to discuss the difficulties they go through due to personal reasons and sink all their feeling by isolating themselves and binge drinking or overuse of substances to help them numb their pain.
Are you worried your loved one is going through the same issue, and you want to help them out? Here is how you can be of help:
Understand their Alcohol Addiction and Substance Abuse:
Look at an individual as a whole rather than viewing them as an addictive person. A person may become addicted for a variety of reasons, some of which they may not even like about themselves. Hence, understanding them apart from their addiction and focusing more on their struggles is the key to building up trust in their heart.
An individual may end up consuming alcohol or substance abuse on a daily basis for several reasons:
- To cope with life stresses
- To numb an emotional pain
- Numb a memory that is certainly killing you
- To overcome or cope with anxiety and depression
- Self-medicating
- Change how they feel
- To fit in
- Or they are dissatisfied with their lives
Understand that there are always reasons why some people cannot leave a simple habit. It may look easy and simple to you, but for them, it’s the hardest to get rid of. Hence, understand their problems and what they go through to help them feel a little less alone.
Do Your Research:
Before talking to the individual about their addiction, you need to have full knowledge about addiction, how the people with addiction feel, the certain words you should use that might not offend them, words to use during conversation to help them understand that you support them and are there for them. Knowing about addiction treatment is highly important so that you are able to give a solution to their problems when having a conversation.
Conversation with Your Loved One:
Preplan a conversation with your loved one; remember, no one personally wants to become an addict; it is a disease and not a weak desire; hence, you need to be very careful with the words you use during conversation. When speaking with your loved one, you must realize that rather than wanting them to hear what you have to say about their situation, you should be listening to them and understanding what they are going through. This is about them and not you or what you think but how you could help them out. However, it would help if you were not frustrated, criticizing, or shaming the one you are talking to, as this would only make them further away from you.
Peacefully talk them out and let them know how their addiction is affecting everyone and, how it might be dangerous, how you are concerned about them. See whether they want to quit the addiction but find it impossible to do so; if you get such a hint, know that you are halfway closer to fixing their addiction. If not, that’s okay; just a few little conversations can melt them, as no one wants to die with this addiction.
Even if you don’t agree with what the individual has to say, instead of arguing, just be there for them and hear them out. They need you and someone to whom they can talk, someone who does not argue or disagree but is just there for them in the hardest of times. Tell them you understand how they feel and let them know that you can help them out with all these problems. With thorough research, give out your solutions for their problems and how you can be of help. Search for addiction treatment near you, like alcohol treatment centers, Ventura, substance abuse treatment programs, addiction treatment in California, or wherever you might live.
How Do the Treatment Centers Help Cure Addiction?
Addiction to either substance or alcohol both are a step-by-step process that take quite a long time to treat you from your addiction entirely. As harsh as the period of being a binge drinker or active substance user may be, the treatment is just as soothing.
Detox: detoxification removes any remains of alcohol or drugs that are in our body to cleanse it out entirely. When an individual first starts to stop the use of drugs or alcohol, they experience withdrawal symptoms that can be dangerous and sometimes even deadly, which is why detox should not be done by oneself but should be under proper medical supervision. The withdrawal symptoms are a reaction your body gives due to no alcohol or drug intake; as alcohol as drugs alter your brain functioning, they become a need. Decreasing the urge for these substances is the main purpose of using these medications during the detox. Medication may even have side effects, but it helps the individual cope with the symptoms easily. These medications may include: benzodiazepines, naltrexone, acamprosate, and disulfiram.
Residential Treatments: Alcohol residential treatments and substance abuse programs are the most effective treatments that entirely cure the individual of addiction without leaving any necessity for rehab. The residential treatments provide:
- a home
- 24-hour care
- health professionals who are always there to hear them out
- staff that care for them
- professionals who find the root cause and heal every broken part of a person
- Assist a person in developing healthy coping strategies so that problems in life appear more manageable rather than daunting.
- A group therapy that helps build confidence and self-esteem
- Individual therapy gives them full attention and support.
Life can be hard to manage, exhausting, and sometimes even scary, and not everyone might be perfect at coping; however, just a little thought makes everything worthwhile. Take a little time out for your well-being and make the best out of life. Keep yourself and your loved ones healthy. Life is too short to stress over things that won’t last long. Give life one more chance and join the alcohol treatment center, Ventura, to get rid of your addiction and live to the fullest.
Also Read: A Path to Recovery from Addiction
