A person in my family whom I care about deeply is suffering from a combination drug/alcohol problem. It is very frustrating to me and I often feel angry and disappointed in them due to their irresponsible behavior. I love the person though and would like to know if anyone can give some coping advice as well as advice on how to communicate with this person and help them if there is any way I can. I am a Christian so any advice from fellow believers would be appreciative as I would like to handle it in a Christian manner. Thank you.
2006-08-22 13:10:23 · 13 answers · asked by Anonymous in Family & Relationships ➔ Other - Family & Relationships
However your concerns are important although, help has to come from within. You can want the best for this individual, but they need to want it too. Often, when your in AA meetings for the families, their first statement is for you not to be an enabler. Meaning, do not help this person with his drug addiction by money or support. I would contact your local AA and express you're a family member in need of advice. Drug/Alcohol addiction is a horrible thing. But you cannot fix it. Sorry for your pain.
2006-08-22 13:26:16 · answer #1 · answered by flower 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Lots of alcoholics and drug addicts in my family so I know where your coming from. It's a long, hard road. The first thing I suggest you do is go to the nearest alcoholics anonomys meeting hall and get phamplets and information that you need and ask them where you can get "The big book" which is a big blue book that the alcoholics/drug addicts study from, if you read it you will better understand the disease that your family member has. Your next step is to go to an al-anon meeting or al-ateen if you are a teenager. These meetings are specifically for the family members of the alcoholic/drug addict and those people there are very spiritual, they say prayers and turn to their higher power for serenity and courage so I think you will feel very comfortable there. They will help you help your family member, I wish you the best of luck and I hope everything turns out in the end.
2006-08-22 13:27:58 · answer #2 · answered by Isabella's Mommy Expecting #2 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
This can be a challenge. An alcoholic can't be forced to get help except under certain circumstances, such as a violent incident that results in court-ordered treatment or medical emergency. But you don't have to wait for someone to "hit rock bottom" to act. Many alcoholism treatment specialists suggest the following steps to help an alcoholic get treatment:
Stop all "cover ups." Family members often make excuses to others or try to protect the alcoholic from the results of his or her drinking. It is important to stop covering for the alcoholic so that he or she experiences the full consequences of drinking.
Time your intervention. The best time to talk to the drinker is shortly after an alcohol-related problem has occurred--like a serious family argument or an accident. Choose a time when he or she is sober, both of you are fairly calm, and you have a chance to talk in private.
Be specific. Tell the family member that you are worried about his or her drinking. Use examples of the ways in which the drinking has caused problems, including the most recent incident.
State the results. Explain to the drinker what you will do if he or she doesn't go for help--not to punish the drinker, but to protect yourself from his or her problems. What you say may range from refusing to go with the person to any social activity where alcohol will be served, to moving out of the house. Do not make any threats you are not prepared to carry out.
Get help. Gather information in advance about treatment options in your community. If the person is willing to get help, call immediately for an appointment with a treatment counselor. Offer to go with the family member on the first visit to a treatment program and/or an Alcoholics Anonymous meeting.
Call on a friend. If the family member still refuses to get help, ask a friend to talk with him or her using the steps just described. A friend who is a recovering alcoholic may be particularly persuasive, but any person who is caring and nonjudgmental may help. The intervention of more than one person, more than one time, is often necessary to coax an alcoholic to seek help.
Find strength in numbers. With the help of a health care professional, some families join with other relatives and friends to confront an alcoholic as a group. This approach should only be tried under the guidance of a health care professional who is experienced in this kind of group intervention.
Get support. It is important to remember that you are not alone. Support groups offered in most communities include Al-Anon, which holds regular meetings for spouses and other significant adults in an alcoholic's life, and Alateen, which is geared to children of alcoholics. These groups help family members understand that they are not responsible for an alcoholic's drinking and that they need to take steps to take care of themselves, regardless of whether the alcoholic family member chooses to get help.
2006-08-22 13:24:39 · answer #3 · answered by elcycer 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I stopped my 5 year weed using because my girlfriend told me to. Just try to hook them up with a good Christian person. Or you could do what they did to Johnny Cash in that movie they did about him "Walk the Line". That seemed to work. Just lock them in the house for a long, long time. and keep them away from the world for a while. Also make them get rid of all of their "friends" and make new ones. my old "friends" were a bad influence.
2006-08-22 13:17:27 · answer #4 · answered by general_stamey 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
They are sick indivuilduals, who should be encouraged to go into Alcoholics Anonymous ( AA) and also Cocaine Anonymous. They rely on the twelve setps, which is bible based literature.
AA is widespread.
You should tell that person how much you care about them, and ask them if they'd be interested in getting meeting information.to beat their addictions.
2006-08-22 13:19:13 · answer #5 · answered by Legandivori 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Find a alcohol anonymous in your town and get all the literature
that you can. Perhaps then you can convince your relative to go to meetings. Pray for that person also.
2006-08-22 13:15:11 · answer #6 · answered by Angel 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
is the person a christian? You could take 2-3 believers and go to him...
an intervention
also try Al-anon
2006-08-22 13:12:36 · answer #7 · answered by clair 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You can get the best help in the world. If the person has no will power it's helpless. Help him/her find their way. Continue to talk to them. Let you know you love them. Talk to them about Jesus.
2006-08-22 13:13:59 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
im a christian too...and unless your family member wants to go to rehab im sorry to say that the best you can do is pray for him/her there has to be a will in this kind of situation
2006-08-22 13:13:35 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
rehab, or consider using law enforcement (police) and have the person get picked up and taken to a rehab center
2006-08-22 13:12:27 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋