Get Help with a Drinking Problem

If you drink enough alcohol that it disrupts your life and creates difficulties with work, family, or friends, you may have a drinking problem. One of the first steps to getting help is accepting the fact that your relationship with alcohol isn't as perfect as you might like it to be. The good news is that you're not alone if you have a drinking problem. The truth is that more people have a drinking problem than society generally accepts. That person you may know who drinks too much and shows up late to work more than once, or the other one who always has to go back to the bar after work to pick up his or her car -- they have a drinking problem too.

Unfortunately popular culture has blurred the line between a drinking problem and alcoholism. The two issues are actually very different though. Someone with a drinking problem is occasionally late to work, or drinks too much at parties, but otherwise functions just fine in life without alcohol. They just have a problem, which is relatively easy to fix in comparison to an addiction. That's what alcoholism is. It's an addiction, and it destroys the lives of those who suffer from it. Alcoholism is not easy to fix, and may even require an intervention. However, the one thing both alcoholism and having a problem with alcohol share in common is the fact that once you have admitted there is a problem, you've taken your first steps on the road to recovery.

Sadly there is no ultimate solution to the problem. What works for one person may not work for another. In some cases, one bad habit may even be replaced by another bad habit. If you need to better understand and recognize the signs of a drinking problem, please read our article on how to tell if you have a drinking problem. If you recognize that there is a drinking problem and are wondering where you can turn to for help, review the tips presented below. Don't forget to take into account that asking for or obtaining help requires you to work on yourself, which we will review in more detail below, in the "Self-Help" section. We've also included a section on how to help your significant others or friends.

Perhaps the most famous phrase involving alcohol is "Hello! My name is John, and I am an alcoholic" from the Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) treatment program. AA is a widely-known recovery program for those suffering from alcoholism. Other people aim for clinical drug rehabilitation. Remember in your search, however, to never join an organization or treatment program other than those appearing on the list of safe organizations in the References section, unless you have heard about it from someone you trust. Some treatment programs will simply replace one problem with another and fail to lead you back to the sober lifestyle you are seeking. When looking at treatment options such as rehabilitation centers, hospitals, as well as AA-style groups; do not exclude the possibility of visiting several of them prior to making your decision.

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   Pair up

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   If you know of another person who also suffers from a drinking problem and wants help, look into joining a program together. While many people may at first feel shame over their situation, the presence of someone you know can help motivate you to stay on the path you have chosen. Be honest and accountable to each other and celebrate your victories together by going to a theme park or a good alcohol-free café or restaurant, preferably with your significant others.

   

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   Another possible first step that you can take is to consult your family doctor, local clinic, or hospital

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   In your appointment, it is important to answer his or her questions as honestly as possible. Then, depending on the severity of dependency, several treatment options will be suggested, including detoxification, medication, and counselling.

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   You may also consider a rehabilitation center

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   Not everyone who goes into rehab is an alcoholic. In fact, many people check themselves in for a short period of time just to get help. Being exposed to those who have more severe alcohol dependencies can be an eye opening experience, and sometimes is enough to shake someone up to the point that they are no longer interested in drinking.

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If you want to help friends, there's a right way and a wrong way. The closer you are to someone in terms of familial or blood relations, the more rights you have to insist on treatment. In some parts of the world, you can even compel treatment, checking a loved one into a rehab center.

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   Talk, ask, demand, and help

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   As a friend or spouse, simply accepting that there is a problem is not a solution. You have to help the person, even if he or she is in denial. Tell them stories of what has happened to others who did not stop in time. Sometimes, people need to hear from others through conversation how difficult it is to ask for and accept help. Then you need to ask them to get help. If you fail to convince the person to accept help, then it's time to demand they get help. Otherwise you risk watching them lose everything, including their family, friends and job.

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   Do not mix alcohol with other substances

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   You may have read about substances that will help a person stop drinking, or in some cases make them drink less. While these substances do exist, they should only be administered by a medical professional, or by the person who is having a drink. Attempting to secretly mix something in their drink can be ineffective and dangerous. Worse, if they later need medical treatment, unexpected complications can arise when no one is aware of the other substance in the person's system.

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Helping yourself is one of the most important things you can do in combination with getting help from other people. This means taking care of yourself, and paying attention to things that cause problems for you.

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   Practice moderation

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   Some people have a natural sense of moderation, while others aren't as able to control themselves. Developing discipline can be one solution if you find yourself unable to quit drinking. Ask yourself several questions:
   • "When and where do I drink?"
   • "With whom do I drink?"
   • "How many times a day do I drink?"
     The awareness that you gain from answering these questions honestly should help you gradually reduce your consumption of alcohol. After a period of strict control over your habits, you will naturally begin to accept moderation in place of your previous excess. You may also carry a notepad and a pen with you in order to mark alcohol triggers: reasons, locations, persons, and times. Either at the beginning of the next day, or the end of your current day, total how many marks you have made. You can use this list to begin eliminating triggers one by one, and also to keep track of your progress.
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