How to Help a Friend With an Alcoholic Husband

Alcohol abuse is a serious problem and affects many people.

Alcoholism is a serious disease that not only does harm to the person drinking, it does harm to family members and friends as well. Binge drinking can damage relationships and may even end up in death if the person does not get help. If you have a friend who is dealing with an alcoholic husband and would like to help, begin the process by starting with your friend. Arm her with plenty of information to confidently relay to her husband. Then provide the support she will definitely need.

Things You'll Need

• Drug and alcohol informational printouts

Instructions

1. Print out a few of those online "Do You Know An Alcoholic" quizzes for your friend. Allow her take the quizzes. Make sure your friend is ready to confront her husband. Reassure her that this is the time for her husband to get help in case she has second thoughts.

2. Print out statistics and dangers of binge drinking. Have her read the information to arm her with all relevant knowledge. Go over each printed handout to be sure she understands. Reinforce the importance of getting help before it's too late.

3. Ask what she needs you to do and do it. As the wife of a person who is alcohol dependent, she may have issues with trust. She may decide to confront him one-on-one or to stage an intervention with family and friends. Be available to her if she needs you at the intervention. Reassure her that she's making the right decision and that she has your unconditional support.

4. Print out a list of resources that may be able to offer assistance. Locate a local Alcoholics Anonymous or other drug and alcohol dependency groups for her husband. Locate a local group for the spouses of drug and alcohol abusers.

Tips & Warnings

• Listen to your friend. Going through this process is not easy. She may need someone to confide in. Go to group meetings with your friend if she needs you.

• Keep in constant contact to be sure your friend is okay mentally and physically. Pick up the phone and call the proper authorities if you suspect abuse. Do not be judgmental with your friend or her husband. You do not want to make her husband angry and cut off contact with you. Help both of them cope with the situation and offer assistance to the both of them when needed.

References

• Cyber Parent: Friends Listen to Friends

Resources

• Alcoholics Anonymous: Information on AA