When a Family Member Displays Alcoholic Tendencies

(467 Words)
You may have thought that the disease of alcoholism would never enter your life. Suddenly a family member displays alcoholic tendencies, and you are not quite sure what to do. It is important to take steps to help your family member while caring for yourself.
According to the Lance Armstrong Foundation, alcoholic tendencies may never be cured, but they can be treated. With hard work, someone can live a sober lifestyle. First it is important for family members to not let the problem overcome their lives. You may have to distance yourself physically and mentally from the person, especially if he or she is at all abusive. Try not to engage him or her while drunk. Wait until a time that he or she is sober.
You may choose to talk to your family member about his or her problem. Explain the situation and why you believe that he or she has a problem. Explain specific instances. Your loved one may not even realize that he or she is drinking so much. Offer to be supportive and help.
One excellent resource for those struggling with alcoholic tendencies is AA. There, alcoholics can share their struggles in a supportive atmosphere. Offer to go with your family member should he or she choose to use this resource. You may find that it can help both of you with this struggle.
Al-Anon is a support group for those with spouses and other loved ones struggling with alcoholism. This group provides its members with many different benefits. First, you can connect with others in the same position. An alcoholic family member causes many different emotions such as sadness and guilt. You may be shocked to see that others feel the same way. You will learn that your loved one’s struggles are not your fault. Also, you may be enabling your relative without even realizing it. In Al-Anon, you can learn how to support your family member while taking care of yourself. If you are the child of an alcoholic, then you may choose the support group Alateen.
Mental health counseling can be beneficial both for those with alcoholic tendencies and their loved ones. You can go to family counseling together to try to work through some of the issues of this disease. If the family member wants your help, then be a participative member of his or her treatment plan.
Of course it is important to take care of yourself. Do what you need to do to keep yourself healthy. You may not be able to dedicate every second of your life to your family member, and that is okay.
Dealing with a family member with alcoholic tendencies requires definitive and active strategies. Do the best that you can to help your loved one get through it while caring for yourself.