Alcohol Awareness – How to Help a Loved One Suffering from Alcoholism

We all know many people in our lives who consume alcohol, perhaps even more than they should at times, but how many people do you know who admit to suffering from alcoholism? Would you be able to recognize the signs of the disorder to help that friend or family member get help?

There doesn't seem to be a stigma around excessive drinking until you slap the label alcoholic on it, then it becomes something shameful and wrong. This can create many tense situations for you and your family or even cause the person suffering to ignore it and refuse help. 

Alcohol Awareness Month is recognized each April to increase awareness for and understanding of alcoholism or Alcohol Use Disorder. According to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, 10% of children live with a parent who abuses alcohol - that's more than 7.5 million children! 

How do I know if my loved one is abusing alcohol?

First and foremost, always go to a medical professional if you think your or your partner's drinking is beyond normal limits. Some signs listed by the American Addiction Centers include, being secret about drinking, diverting energy from other responsibilities to continue drinking, wanting to stop drinking but not being able to or engaging in risky behavior.

Protecting your loved ones

If your partner is on their recovery journey, it's not always a straight and easy road. How do you support them during this time and not let the past get in the way of the present?

Family lawyer and mediator Susan Guthrie recommends using an accountability tool like Soberlink as it, "creates instant accountability and security for all involved. It's a simple and effective way to evidence your sobriety and to begin to build trust again."

Trust. An essential part of any relationship and something you'll have to have in your partner if you're going to move forward with your relationship. 

Relationship expert Dr. Morgan Cutlip shares some tips on rebuilding that trust.

"Rebuilding trust in a relationship involves effort from both partners. For the person who is in recovery, it requires openness to make shifts in the way the relationship functions so that greater levels of transparency can be afforded to their partner. For the partner who is trying to rebuild trust, they will have to take the difficult step in investing some amount of trust and then stepping back to observe what their partner does with it."

If you or someone you know is suffering from Alcohol Use Disorder, call SAMHSA's National Helpline at 1-800-662-HELP.