Alcohol dependency is a problem that has been around for a long time. If you or a loved one suffers from dependency on alcohol, then you may feel consumed by your worries and concerns. It can be difficult knowing where to turn to for help and what action to take.
Overcoming Alcohol Dependence
The good news is that alcohol dependence can be treated and life can move forwards after treatment. It is important to remember that no two people are the same, so neither is the treatment they should receive. To help aid in your treatment or the treatment of a loved one, here are a few effective things you can do.
Seek Specialist Advice and Support
Specialist support should be your first port of call when seeing addiction help or assistance, particularly if the addiction is long term and has been getting worse over time. There is no one size fits approach to treatment, so when you seek addiction treatment you should go into the process with a clear and focused mind. If you feel that the person seeking the treatment is not ready to receive help, or they are not focused on achieving sobriety, then it is always best to consult professionals who will be able to assist and answer your questions. Do not take it upon yourself to try and fix an addiction if treatment has been recommended.
Build a Strong Network
Getting through addiction and coming out the other side requires that you or the person seeking treatment will need a good strong support network. Support is key to recovery, and when times may not be so good the person who is addicted will need that support system in place to fall back on. If there is a good strong network of support in place, then success both in the short and long term is a lot more likely.
Focus on Building A Positive Future
Addiction can lead to negative and nasty thoughts and feelings. Quite often these feelings can be detrimental to a person's progress, so to get past the negativity it is wise to start looking towards the future and focusing on what there is to look forward to. People recovering from addictions need hope, and they need that focus to enable them to fight any personal demons or feelings of hurt and neglect that they may be experiencing. A positive outlook can help those who overcome addiction feel more normal and more capable of tackling whatever the recovery process throws at them.
Listen, Offer Support and Guidance
Being able to listen attentively is vital for most things, and overcoming alcohol dependency is no different. If someone close to you is struggling to overcome their issues with alcohol, then listen to what they have to say. When you listen you are paying attention to the person and helping them work through feelings, thoughts and emotions that they may have previously struggled to express. When you listen you may receive insight into where the problems may lie as well as insight into how you may be able to help. If you do not listen to the affected person in question then you may end up talking in circles trying to establish where problems lie and then trying to fix problems and situations of which you are not fully aware.
Remove Temptation Within The Home
A quick and easy method to aid in recovery is to remove all of the alcohol that is located within your home. Although this might not be a great long term fix, it can help those with alcohol dependency see that they have a problem and that they need help. Sometimes the shock factor of being confronted with an addiction can help people see that they have an issue that needs fixing straight away.
Try and Establish Where The Problems Lie
Listening, talking and asking questions can aid you in helping an alcohol dependent person. When you ask questions that may hurt or provoke them, this may indicate that you are getting to the root of the problem. Sometimes alcohol dependency can be heightened with issues at home or work, so if you want to you can try and establish if there are any quick fixes or quick wins you can make to improve a situation . Of course, sometimes addictions can stem from problems and issues that have been suppressed for some time. If this is the case then it is wise not to prompt or interrogate the person as this could set off or trigger other issues and problems. This may then result in recovery being more difficult and potentially longer. If you feel that the problems that exist are deep-set and too hard for you to tackle then you should not hesitate to contact a professional with experience in managing such issues.
Take Time Out
Overcoming dependency on alcohol is draining, physically and emotionally, for both the person affected and those around them who have been supporting them every step of the way. Before depression or negative feelings take hold, it is essential that everyone involved take time out, and time away from the problem. Sometimes when you are too close to a problem or issue it can make it more difficult to resolve. With this in mind do not be afraid to take a step back and take some time out for yourself. Dealing with alcohol dependency can be all-consuming if you are not careful, so before you find yourself on a slippery downward slide it is wise to pull yourself out of the situation and focus on something else.
A positive mindset and outlook on life can help a person overcome their dependency on alcohol, but you have to remember that an alcohol dependent person has to help themselves as well. Progress can only be achieved if the person that is suffering the addiction is willing to put in the work and open to change.