How Do I Talk to a Loved One About Their Alcohol Addiction?

Discussing addiction rehab with a loved one is a sensitive subject. It should be approached with remarkable tact, diplomacy, sensitivity, and, most of all, love. Without these aspects, the individual may focus more on the tone of the conversation and their rebuttal than on what is being said, which can shut down the conversation.

Overcoming Potential Obstacles to Addiction Rehab

The odds are that there will be obstacles that must be overcome. To successfully initiate the conversation, you must understand the mindset of a person experiencing alcohol addiction to navigate through the conversation and initial resistance. 

1. Denial

This is the most common excuse you will encounter. Most people who have a substance use disorder refuse to acknowledge the existence of a problem. They feel they are entirely in control of their consumption and can stop anytime—it is a matter of willpower.

The Challenge

Many people with substance use disorders do not see how alcohol impacts their daily lives or how it affects those closest to them. For most, it is not that they are being reckless or don’t care; they feel they are still in control. Therefore, it causes them to deny that a problem exists.

The Solution

The first step may be identifying which stage of addiction they are in. Treatment for them may be a long process, yet it is a worthwhile journey to assist them. All you can do is help them to:

• Create coping mechanisms for dealing with cravings and stress.
• Locate high-risk situations and triggers.
• Develop a relapse prevention plan for warning signs.

Becoming educated on relapse prevention will provide the tools to navigate through challenges and maintain sobriety.

2. Blame

Blame occurs when a loved one doesn’t want to feel accountable for their actions. To evade responsibility, they may blame their upbringing, past trauma, or others (including loved ones) for their behaviour.

The Challenge

There may be some truth to their statements or how they feel. While your past doesn’t have to define your future, some people have difficulty dealing with past trauma. They lack adequate coping skills, or the incident(s) is too severe to face mentally. 

Some people self-medicate because they cannot deal with past pain or cope with the present and/or future. In this situation, blaming someone is more manageable than taking responsibility.

The Solution

Being empathetic may be all they need to be encouraged to speak out about their issues. Many people don’t want to cope with the past for fear others will judge them. When a person feels safe in your presence, it can encourage them to open up and talk it out. You don’t have to counsel them. All you need to do is be there and offer guidance.

Ask open-ended questions or make understanding statements to facilitate a conversation:

• “How did that make you feel?”
• “That must have been a hard thing to get through.”
• “What would you like to see change/be different?”

Guide them into a plan of action to get treatment. They will feel empowered, and you will see results.

3. Lack of support

Lack of support comes in two ways:

• Social support: Your loved one can feel isolated and/or unsupported by family, peers, or friends.
• No insurance: They may not have insurance to cover costs.

The Challenge

The difficulties are identifying the situation and overcoming objections.

The Solution

If social support is an issue, either validate their feelings and offer a solution (“I am sorry I made you feel that way. I will try to be there for you.”). If coverage is unavailable, research affordable treatment options. Many providers offer a sliding scale based on income or group therapy. OHIP may also cover you.

These tips will help you overcome the money objection. To best help your loved one, you may want to research various treatment options and how they can assist them in getting help.

4. A reluctance to participate

Your loved one knows that a problem exists. They may have been unsuccessful with past treatments. The program may not have been for them. Or, there may have been an undiagnosed mental health issue, a lack of skills/support conducive to success, or other reasons.

The Challenge

 

They have given up. The challenge is to give them hope again, and that involves getting them to agree to explore their options.

The Solution

Again, research different treatment options and discuss possibilities. See if you can gently get your loved one to agree to an assessment. New Dawn Medical can examine your loved one and tailor an effective treatment to meet their needs. Our treatments are successful and help people control their cravings and to detox.

You can also seek professional intervention, in which someone assesses your situation, conducts a structured conversation, or offers treatment options. 

5. Social stigma/fear

While education regarding mental health issues and substance abuse is prevalent, a social stigma still exists. Some people view addictions and mental health issues as a weakness—which it is not.

They experience fear of being labelled as an “addict,” losing a job, or recovery processes. Detoxing from high and prolonged levels of alcohol consumption can be daunting, but it is worse when you tackle it by yourself.

The Challenge

Your success comes in identifying the cause of their fear and educating them to the contrary. They need to see that having an alcohol addiction doesn’t make them weak or “less than others.”

The Solution

At New Dawn Medical, we offer various treatment options for substance use and addiction rehab, from alcohol to opioids. This is their best option for long-term success.

6. Underlying mental health issues

The issue may have pre-existed the drinking or have arisen because of it. Alcohol consumption can disrupt the normal chemical balance between neuroreceptors in the brain, creating a mental health issue, or the person involved may have used alcohol as a coping mechanism.

The Challenge

The obstacle is identifying the existence of an underlying cause—if there is one. Mental health issues and substance use can coincide, and can be treated concurrently in the proper treatment facility.

The Solution

Suggest that they receive a complete physical exam by their doctor to rule out medical causes, or contact New Dawn Medical for a proper diagnosis.

See How the Professionals at New Dawn Medical Can Help

The best thing you can do is to remain empathetic and non-judgemental. For example, when beginning your conversation:

• Choose a good time and place for the discussion.
• Express concerns with “I” statements—it avoids blame.
• Actively listen to their feelings and thoughts.
• Provide encouragement or support instead of criticism.

Once they are ready, contact New Dawn Medical at 647-625-8799 or toll-free at 1-833-456-DAWN for addiction rehab options. Our treatment options are best suited to your loved one’s needs, and we can work with you to ensure a successful recovery. To book an appointment, contact us here.