There are even accredited, all-telehealth alcohol treatment programs. The NIAAA Alcohol Treatment Navigator® cannot ensure that the search process will deliver higher-quality treatment providers in your vicinity who are using evidence-based approaches. In addition, the search tools on the Navigator may not capture every possible higher-quality treatment provider in your vicinity. For any addiction therapist you are considering, be sure to ask the 10 recommended questions, and use the answers to check for five signs of higher-quality care. See the Frequently Asked Questions for helpful suggestions. Also, be sure to look for the other types of treatment providers— alcohol treatment programs and board-certified addiction doctors.

• Tell your loved one that you’re worried they’re drinking too much, and let them know you want to be supportive.
• What kind of treatment does the program or provider offer?
• ► Behavioral Health Treatment Services Locator — the U.S.
• Some people are surprised to learn that there are medications on the market approved to treat AUD.

Resources

Has helped more than two million alcoholics stop drinking. Recovery works through one alcoholic sharing their experience with another. In addition to professionally led treatment, many people benefit from mutual support groups. Here, too, are more options than people might expect.

Join others on the road to recovery

It’s not always easy to know if your friend is struggling with alcohol addiction, as the symptoms can look different for different people. Some people may drink all day, while others may only binge in the evening alone. Unless you are around them all the time, it can be hard to see the full picture of their drinking and the impact it is having on their life. In this guide, we will walk you through the signs of alcohol addiction, the best way to approach the conversation and how to help an alcoholic friend during recovery. It how to treat alcoholism is not an easy road, but with your friendship and encouragement, they don’t have to walk it alone.

• This is the largest listing in the United States of licensed professional therapists.
• Realize that you can’t force someone who doesn’t want to go into treatment.
• Be prepared to discuss any problems that alcohol may be causing.
• Ask different programs if they offer sliding-scale fees—some programs may offer lower prices or payment plans for individuals without health insurance.
• Navigator focuses on evidence-based alcohol treatment, telling you what you need to know about AUD and treatment options, and helping you find the right treatment for you—and near you.
• Setbacks can be common, so you will want to know how they are addressed.

Supporting your loved one’s recovery

Just as some people with diabetes or asthma may have flare-ups of their disease, a return to drinking can be seen as a temporary setback to full recovery and not as a failure. Seeking professional help can prevent a return to drinking—behavioral therapies can help people develop skills to avoid and overcome triggers, such as stress, that might lead to drinking. Most people benefit from regular checkups with a treatment provider.

Your role doesn’t end when your loved agrees to seek help. Recovery is an ongoing process, requiring time and patience. Someone who abuses alcohol will not magically become a different person once they’re sober. They’ll have to find new ways of living without alcohol and they’ll also have to tackle the problems that led to their alcohol abuse in the first place. But with your ongoing support and love, they can get there. Witnessing your loved one’s drinking and the deterioration of your relationship can trigger many distressing emotions, including shame, fear, anger, and self-blame.

If you don’t control codependency, it can lead into more serious complications such as obsessive behavior, blame, and mental health issues. Watching a family member, friend, or coworker with an alcohol use disorder can be difficult. You might wonder what you can do to change the situation, and whether or not the person even wants your help.

Setbacks Are Part of the Process

Cognitive–behavioral therapy can take place one-on-one with a therapist or in small groups. This form of therapy is focused on identifying the feelings and situations (called “cues”) that contribute to heavy drinking and managing stress that can lead to a return to drinking. The goal is to change the thought processes that lead to alcohol misuse and to develop the skills necessary to cope with everyday situations that might trigger alcohol misuse. Still, to help your search in general, see the Navigator’s summary of five signs of quality alcohol treatment. We also help you spot quality in the “Why you should ask” and “What to listen for” sections for the recommended questions. Although online groups and apps can provide much-needed support, some issues require the help of a healthcare professional.

We’ll help you learn how to find higher-quality, science-backed care that can raise your chances for success. Behavioral treatments include individual, group, and family therapy sessions. Your loved one’s primary care doctor or GP https://ecosoberhouse.com/ can evaluate their drinking patterns, assess their overall health and any co-occurring disorders, and provide treatment referrals. If appropriate, your loved one’s doctor may even prescribe medication approved to help treat alcohol dependence. Dealing with a loved one’s alcohol abuse or alcoholism can be painful and challenging for the whole family, but there is help available.

But giving them money can enable them to buy alcohol they couldn’t otherwise afford, while offering your home as a safety net can prevent them from seeing the true extent of the issue. If they deny having a problem, try gently reminding them of specific incidents. These may be nights where things got out of control or situations where their drinking led to unpleasant fights or outcomes. It is important to give them time to recognise the problem themselves, but your gentle nudges can help them see the bigger picture.