How to Talk to an Alcoholic So They Stop Drinking?

In the case of alcohol disease, it's difficult to determine when to start worrying. It's unknown what amount of alcohol indicates alcoholism. More concerning is the increasing tolerance to ethyl alcohol. When we notice a significant change in this regard in ourselves or close people, it's worth intervening. How to talk to an alcoholic and understand them? In this article, we suggest how to reach an alcoholic and what to do when they don't want treatment.

How to Talk to an Alcoholic and Influence Them?

The first symptoms are difficult to catch because the beginning of alcoholism often means sporadic and occasional drinking. However, this can quickly transform into something permanent and necessary for survival. Usually, the alcoholic doesn't see the problem. It's never too late for reactions, but in the early stage, many diseases caused by alcoholism can be avoided. Confrontation with another person in serious matters is often not easy. This especially applies to addicted people who don't analyze reality correctly and have changing moods. How to help an alcoholic who doesn't want treatment? This question is hard to answer, but it's worth fighting for a close person.

How to Talk to an Alcoholic About Their Drinking:

It's not easy to clearly determine how to influence an alcoholic and talk to a drinker. However, specialists mention several guidelines that can help and give courage.

• End the Denial.

Alcoholism is a disease and this must be understood. The sooner this happens, the less damage the addiction causes. Both sides must be aware of this and come to terms with it. The feeling of shame and fear is hard to overcome, but losing oneself in it only deepens the alcohol problem. Talking to an alcoholic about addiction is the first step to changing behavior.

• Help Them Understand When the Alcoholic Doesn't See the Problem.

You cannot convince an alcoholic to get treatment if they don't believe in its validity themselves. The addicted person should feel the consequences of alcohol abuse. Justifying, looking for excuses and blaming others for the situation won't cause improvement. The alcoholic must be fully responsible for their actions and mistakes made.

• Don't Start With Shouting – Focus on Calm.

Before starting a conversation with an alcoholic, it's worth planning its course and outline. Anger, shouting, and reproaching will only evoke guilt, which will prompt the alcoholic to drown their sorrows. It's important to talk about emotions. Communicate what was felt when the close person was under the influence of alcohol. Don't forget that this must be a dialogue. A calm conversation with an alcoholic will be more effective than an attack.

• Wait for Sobriety.

All promises, reflections, and resolutions make no sense when the alcoholic doesn't see the problem and is intoxicated. They may not remember most of them or, in a moment of alcohol craving, give up changes for the sake of their well-being. A conversation with an alcoholic should always take place during abstinence – even temporary.

• Focus on Facts.

During a conversation with a drinker, specific situations should be given and compared with the past. Make them understand how much has changed and what consequences this may have in the future. It's worth pointing out what is hurtful to the alcoholic and people close to them. Understanding an alcoholic is not easy, let alone reaching them. It's worth not giving up and trying. The addicted person may not realize their addiction themselves. Even a brief mention of alcoholism can trigger reflection that will lead to treatment.

How to Help an Alcoholic Who Doesn't Want Treatment?

Conversations with alcoholics are often postponed due to fear and concern about the reaction. Confronting the alcohol problem causes many difficulties, but one cannot give up. This process can be long. The first attempts to understand an alcoholic may seem even pointless and aimless. However, the addicted person may need time to think over the situation and understand the consequences of drinking alcohol. On forums, you can find guidelines regarding incapacitating an alcoholic as well as forced rehabilitation treatment. It's worth first giving the addicted person a chance for voluntary change and taking steps toward sobriety. There's no specific recipe for how to reach an alcoholic, so a conversation with a drinker is specific. All the more so because its course is often associated with great emotional burden. Source: Cierpiałkowska L., Ziarko M., Psychology of Addictions – Alcoholism, http://m.publio.pl/files/samples/27/54/9b/48185/Psychologiauzaleznienalkoholizmdemo.pdf

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