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.
Detox involves stopping drinking completely so that the body can adjust to being without alcohol. During this time, a person may experience alcohol withdrawal symptoms. Psychological and psychosocial treatments can involve counselling to help you understand and change your attitude towards drinking.
If someone close to you is displaying signs of alcohol addiction, it can be difficult to know what to do. Talk honestly with your loved one about their drinking, and try to persuade them to see a doctor.
It can be very difficult for alcoholics to admit they have a problem but being supportive, open and non-judgemental can make them feel safe. If you accompany someone to an appointment, try to get a simple explanation for the person in simple language about the illness, the long-term effects and the options for recovery. Ask how you can best support the person; perhaps request an out of hours emergency telephone number — that may make you feel safer.
How to help someone else. If you are concerned that you or someone you care about has a problem with alcohol there is a lot of help available. Here you can find useful links and phone numbers to get the support you need. Call now to be connected with one of our compassionate treatment specialists. While drinking alone is frequently mentioned as one of the common signs of alcoholism, doing so on occasion and in moderation does not make you an alcoholic. However, when you start to drink alone on a more frequent basis, solitary drinking can quickly turn into an alcohol dependency or addiction.
There are a number of reasons that a person might drink alone. Some of the most common problems that people use alcohol to cope with are:. Unfortunately, drinking alone to numb these uncomfortable feelings or underlying mental health issues is a behavior that has become all too common. However, about 50 percent of American adults suffering from a mental health issue do use a substance, like alcohol, to cope. Without proper alcoholism treatment and medical intervention, a drinking problem can rapidly decline into alcoholism.
Drinking alone comes with a number of dangerous consequences. For starters, it can put participants in potentially unsafe situations. This may mean making major changes to your social life, such as finding new things to do with your old drinking buddies—or even giving up those friends and finding new ones.
Talk to someone you trust: your sponsor, a supportive family member or friend, or someone from your faith community. Distract yourself until the urge passes. Go for a walk, listen to music, do some housecleaning, run an errand, or tackle a quick task. Remind yourself of your reasons for not drinking. Accept the urge and ride it out, instead of trying to fight it. Alcohol recovery is a process—one that often involves setbacks. Watching a family member struggle with a drinking problem can be as heartbreakingly painful as it is frustrating.
Talk to the person about their drinking. Express your concerns in a caring way and encourage your friend or family member to get help. Learn all you can about addiction. Research the kinds of treatment that are available and discuss these options with your friend or family member.
Take action. Offer your support along each step of the recovery journey. The person with the drinking problem needs to take responsibility for their actions. For more , read Helping Someone with a Drinking Problem.
Authors: Melinda Smith, M. Friedmann, P. JAMA, 15 , — Pettersen, H. Substance Abuse: Research and Treatment, 13, Kelly, Thomas M. Magill, Molly, and Lara A. Choquette, and H. Grant, Bridget F. Stinson, Deborah A. Dawson, S. Patricia Chou, Mary C. Dufour, Wilson Compton, Roger P. Pickering, and Kenneth Kaplan.
Drake, Robert E. Intervention: Help a loved one overcome addiction — Tips on holding a successful intervention. Mayo Clinic. Rethinking Drinking — Tools to help you check your drinking patterns, identify signs of a problem, and cut back.
National Institutes of Health. What is Substance Abuse Treatment? National Institute on Aging. Overcoming Addiction: Find an effective path toward recovery — Find an effective path toward recovery. Special health report from Harvard Medical School. Harvard Health Publishing. Women for Sobriety — Organization dedicated to helping women overcome addictions.
Women for Sobriety, Inc. Alcoholics Anonymous — Learn more about the 12 steps and find a support meeting in your area. Alcoholics Anonymous. Al-Anon and Alateen — Support groups for friends and families of problem drinkers. In the U. A generous donor will match all contributions made before December 31 — doubling your gift and your impact!
Cookie Policy. These tips can help you get started on the road to recovery. How do I stop drinking? Evaluating the costs and benefits of drinking Make a table like the one below, weighing the costs and benefits of drinking to the costs and benefits of quitting. Is drinking worth the cost? Benefits of drinking It helps me forget about my problems. I have fun when I drink.
Benefits of NOT drinking My relationships would probably improve. Costs of drinking It has caused problems in my relationships. I feel depressed, anxious, and ashamed of myself. It gets in the way of my job performance and family responsibilities.
Example 1: My drinking goal I will stop drinking alcohol.
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