How to Help an Alcoholic at Home
If you live with an alcoholic, you already know that doing so requires a lot of patience. Helping him overcome his alcoholism may seem like something you have no control over, and in most ways, this is true. Alcoholics need to admit that they have a problem before they can help themselves, so the best way to help an alcoholic at home is to try to bring him to a place where he's willing to admit his addiction.
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Instructions
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Helping Alcoholics
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Love the alcoholic no matter what. This is the perpetual rule of helping a person addicted to alcohol. If you give up on her or show her disrespect, it will not help her at all and may even worsen her situation. Do not tolerate abuse from an alcoholic, but try to be open to him at all times. Remember that he doesn't drink because he enjoys it anymore, but because he is addicted.
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Tell the alcoholic that you want to help her, and that you will do anything. An alcoholic will refuse help at first, and for a while will deny that she even has a problem. But if you don't give up, and you actually prove to the alcoholic that you mean what you say, she will eventually see her situation for what it is and will get help.
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Keep your word, and do everything in your power to help the alcoholic. Breaking the addiction is largely an individual process, but support and encouragement is going to help him. Be the support he needs you to be until he's broken his addiction. But remember that an alcoholic must never drink a drop of alcohol ever again. Be a constant example of self-control and positivity as long as he's in your home.
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Tips & Warnings
Encourage the alcoholic to attend groups that will help him come to grips with his condition. Alcoholics Anonymous or church groups are always a helpful option, but you can't force an alcoholic to go anywhere he doesn't want to go. Never push him, but always encourage positive steps towards betterment.
Never enable an alcoholic to drink. Whether she has not yet broken her addiction, or has been sober for some time, giving her a drink when you know that she deals with alcoholism is inconsiderate and dangerous. You should even avoid drinking yourself if you live with an alcoholic. Keep it out of her environment altogether.
