Confronting Alcohol Abuse: Strategies For Dealing With Intoxicated Members

Alcohol abuse and addiction, also known as alcohol use disorder, is a common medical condition that not only affects the drinker but also their family and loved ones. It can be a painful and challenging experience for everyone involved. If you or someone you know is struggling with alcohol abuse, there are several ways to help manage the situation and reduce potential harm. It is important to assess the situation and prioritize the safety of the intoxicated person and those around them. Seeking professional help through treatment centers, healthcare professionals, and support groups can be beneficial.

Prioritise your safety and the safety of the intoxicated person

When dealing with an intoxicated person, it is crucial to prioritise your safety and the safety of the affected individual. Here are some detailed guidelines to assist you in navigating this challenging situation:

Assess the situation: Begin by evaluating the circumstances and considering the safety of everyone involved, including yourself and the intoxicated person. This initial step is essential to gain a clear understanding of the situation and identify any potential risks or dangers.

Avoid engagement if intoxicated: If the person is currently intoxicated, it is generally advisable to avoid engaging with them directly. Intoxication can impair their judgment and ability to respond rationally. Engaging with an intoxicated person may prove futile and potentially unsafe, especially if they have a history of aggression or anger issues when under the influence.

Look for signs of alcohol poisoning: Alcohol poisoning is a life-threatening condition that requires immediate medical attention. Be vigilant for symptoms such as unconsciousness, difficulty breathing, or choking on vomit. Do not attempt to treat alcohol poisoning at home; instead, seek professional medical help by calling an ambulance or taking the person to the hospital.

Debrief and self-care: Managing an intoxicated person can be emotionally and mentally challenging. Ensure that you take care of yourself by debriefing with a trusted colleague, supervisor, or mental health professional after the incident. Self-care is vital, and sharing your experience with someone else can provide valuable support and help you process the situation.

Encourage professional help: While you cannot force someone to stop abusing alcohol, you can play a supportive role in their journey towards recovery. Encourage the affected person to seek professional help by offering to accompany them to doctor's appointments, group meetings, or counselling sessions. Provide emotional support and assist them in developing a concrete plan for change. Remember, recovery is an ongoing process that requires time and patience.

Seek support for yourself: Dealing with a loved one's alcohol abuse can be heartbreaking and challenging. Consider joining support groups such as Al-Anon or Alateen, which offer free peer support and a chance to connect with others facing similar challenges. These groups can provide comfort, coping strategies, and a sense of community during this difficult time.

Avoid engaging with an intoxicated person

Dealing with an intoxicated person can be a challenging experience. If you find yourself in such a situation, here are some things to keep in mind to help you avoid engaging with the intoxicated individual:

Prioritize your safety and well-being: The first step is to assess the situation and consider your safety and that of the intoxicated person and others around you. If you feel unsafe or uncomfortable at any point, it is important to remove yourself from the situation.

Avoid engaging with the intoxicated person: Do not attempt to physically restrain or chase the person, as it can increase their risk of sudden health complications. Instead, try to make the immediate environment low stimulus by removing bystanders. Over-stimulating environments can lead to acute physiological reactions such as shock or sudden death in intoxicated individuals.

Maintain privacy and dignity: Keep the interaction private and avoid involving other patrons or bystanders. More people can create chaos and increase the person's anxiety, potentially worsening their state. Additionally, respect the intoxicated person's dignity and avoid debates or arguments, or attempting to convince them of any particular point.

Seek support and debrief: Remember that you are not alone in dealing with this challenging situation. Enlist the help of others if necessary. After the incident, make sure to practice self-care and debrief with a colleague, supervisor, or someone you trust to process the experience and take care of your well-being.

Offer help and support without enabling: While you cannot force someone to stop abusing alcohol, you can encourage them to seek help. Offer to accompany them to appointments, group meetings, or counselling sessions. Remember that recovery is an ongoing process that requires time and patience, and your role doesn't end once they agree to seek help.

Encourage the abuser to seek help, offering to accompany them

Alcohol abuse and addiction, or "alcohol use disorder", affects not only the person drinking but also their families and loved ones. It can be heartbreaking and frustrating to watch a friend or family member struggle with a drinking problem. If someone you know is abusing alcohol, there are steps you can take to support them and encourage them to seek help.

Firstly, it's important to remember that you cannot force someone to stop abusing alcohol. As much as you may want to, the choice to stop drinking is ultimately theirs. However, you can encourage your friend or family member to get help by offering to accompany them to doctor's appointments, group meetings, or counselling sessions. You can also sit with them while they call a helpline for advice. There are free helplines for mental health, drug, and alcohol issues that are available 24/7, providing treatment referrals and information services. Additionally, you can make a concrete plan with them, detailing the changes they will make and how they will achieve them. This might involve joining a support group such as Al-Anon, which provides free peer support for families dealing with a loved one's alcohol abuse, or Alateen, a similar group specifically for teens.

It's important to remember that recovery is an ongoing process that requires time and patience. A person who abuses alcohol will not suddenly become a different person once they are sober. Setbacks are common, and people with drinking problems are most likely to return to drinking during periods of stress or when exposed to people or places associated with past drinking. As such, it's crucial to seek professional help to develop the skills needed to avoid and overcome triggers. This might involve behavioural therapies or family therapy, as well as addressing any accompanying medical and mental health issues.

Encouraging other interests and social activities can also help. Exposing teens to healthy hobbies and activities, such as team sports, Scouts, and after-school clubs, can help discourage alcohol use. For adults, this might involve cultivating new interests and developing the skills necessary to cope with everyday situations that might trigger alcohol misuse.

Join a support group for families dealing with a loved one's alcohol abuse

Dealing with an intoxicated family member or friend can be a challenging and heartbreakingly painful experience. It is important to remember that you cannot force someone to stop abusing alcohol—the choice to stop drinking is ultimately theirs. However, you can encourage your loved one to seek help by offering to accompany them to doctor's appointments, group meetings, or counselling sessions. You can also help by making a concrete plan with them, outlining the changes they need to make.

Joining a support group can be a great way to cope with a loved one's alcohol abuse. Support groups can provide you with the necessary tools and resources to navigate this difficult situation. Here are some support groups that can help:

Al-Anon and Alateen

Al-Anon is a worldwide fellowship that provides a recovery program for families and friends of people addicted to alcohol. Alateen is a similar program aimed at adolescents and teens who have a family member abusing alcohol. Both programs offer literature and resources that focus on common problems faced by family members, such as excessive caretaking, self-esteem issues, and feelings of guilt. Al-Anon and Alateen have chapters all over the US and internationally, as well as online meetings, making it easily accessible to those seeking support.

Learn to Cope

Learn to Cope is a peer-led support network that offers education, resources, and support for family and friends with loved ones affected by substance abuse. They have chapters in Massachusetts and Florida, as well as an online forum for virtual meetings.

CODEPENDENTS ANONYMOUS (CoDA)

CoDA is a Twelve Step support group for individuals trying to regain healthy relationships with themselves and others after being impacted by another's addiction. CoDA meetings are free and available internationally, providing a space to connect with others who understand the challenges of living with an addicted loved one.

Other Support Groups

Other support groups that can help families dealing with a loved one's alcohol abuse include Parents of Addicted Loved Ones, Families Anonymous, SMART Recovery Family & Friends, NAMI Family Support Groups, and NAR-ANON. These organizations provide various resources and support systems to help families navigate the challenges of addiction.

Remember, seeking support for yourself is crucial when dealing with a loved one's addiction. By joining a support group, you can connect with others going through similar experiences, gain valuable tools for coping, and discover a sense of community and understanding.

Understand that you cannot force someone to stop abusing alcohol

Dealing with an intoxicated person can be a difficult experience. It is important to prioritise your safety and well-being first by assessing the situation and considering your safety and that of the affected person and others. Self-care is crucial when dealing with challenging situations.

If your loved one is struggling with alcohol abuse, it is essential to understand that you cannot force them to stop. As challenging as it may be, you must accept that you cannot make someone stop drinking. While it is important to be open and honest about your concerns, the decision to seek help must ultimately come from them.

Alcohol abuse and addiction, also known as Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD), not only affect the person drinking but also their families and loved ones. It can be painful and challenging to witness a loved one's drinking problem and the deterioration of your relationship. You may experience a range of emotions, including shame, fear, anger, and self-blame. It is crucial to recognise that your loved one may need professional help and that their drinking problem may not improve without intervention.

If your loved one is open to seeking help, it is important to understand the available treatment options, including behavioural therapies, medications, and mutual support groups. Recovery is an ongoing process that requires time and patience. Your loved one may face new challenges as they navigate life without alcohol and address the underlying issues that led to their alcohol abuse. However, with your ongoing support and love, they can succeed in their recovery journey.

Remember, you are not alone in this journey. Various resources are available to support you and your loved one, including helplines, treatment providers, and support groups. By understanding the specific issues related to alcohol abuse and addiction, you can better navigate this challenging situation and provide effective support to your loved one.

Frequently asked questions