what can a person do/say to help an alcoholic realize that she needs help. she is a successful professional. she has admitted she needs help, but always--the next day--she thinks she's fine. please don't say "she has to figure it out herself and be ready to get help".
2006-10-03 17:29:36 · 9 answers · asked by Becky 5 in Health ➔ Mental Health
i don't aid her drinking or drink with her.
she has lost several close friends b/c of her drinking; oddly enough, these are the friends who taught her to turn to alcohol for stress relief. they don't like that they now have to take care of her when she drinks; it spoils their fun. they are all in their late 30s, so it's not young college kids; i took her to one AA mtg, but the people who talked that night were into drugs and hit their rock bottom when they were living on the streets. so, she says she's not as bad as them. she loves wine and the feeling of being drunk too much.
2006-10-03 17:56:35 · update #1
You are a good and caring friend. Alcohol is not , yet it is saying to your friend that she is going to be ok and that she is only just a bit out of control sometimes. It is a tragic truth that Alcoholism is a disease of denial and of self-deception. Inside on the deepest level, your Friend may know she needs to get help but she still thinks she can do it herself. Going to a mtg. w/ you and seeing a group of addicts who she was afraid to listen to on a heart or emotional level gave her another reason to feel that she is not that bad. Sadly, she will have to realize for herself that she is treading a downhill, lonely and isolating path. There is a great journey, full of intelligent, funny, loving friends ahead if she ever allows herself to go to AA without looking for the ways she is different or unique. Alcohol is not a snob. It is a thief. She will
lose herself if she remains loyal to this false good-time Charlie.
Good luck and don't give up on her. She needs love now.
2006-10-03 19:19:39 · answer #1 · answered by mknightm@sbcglobal.net 1 · 2⤊ 0⤋
The only thing that you can do to help her realize that she needs help is to not enable her drinking in any way. If she has a alcohol related problem, don't be rude, but don't be a shoulder to cry on either. If she's drinking, stay away from her and tell her why you are staying away. Don't attempt to help her manage through problems caused by her drinking. If she has gotten herself into a situation because she was drinking, let her find her own way out. Don't help her in any way.
Eventually, she may view this as a consequence, and once the alcoholic has enough consequences built up, they may decide to get help.
Also, if you are a friend that goes out and drinks with her from time to time, stop.
2006-10-04 00:49:16 · answer #2 · answered by J 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Get a copy of the Basic Text of Alcoholics Anonymous often called "The Big Book". Read all of it before you do anything else. You might also consider attending a meeting of Al-anon. It is the 12 step program for those who are affected by someone else's drinking. If you do only those 2 things you will have your answers. Look in your phone book under A.A. If that doesn't work call a hospital or a doctor and ask them how you can get in touch with AA and Al-anon in your area. Good luck.
2006-10-04 00:44:05 · answer #3 · answered by YahooGuru2u 6 · 2⤊ 1⤋
I hate to tell you this, but she DOES have to decide to get help. No amount of suggesting, crying, begging, asking, etc will make this person get help. The more my kids and friends bugged me the more I drank. Just be a friend and offer support if and when your friend seeks help either through AA or rehab. I always encourage people to pray for the person needing help. Good luck!
2006-10-04 00:38:50 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
I am Brazilian in my country has a group of aid here that calls AA (Alcoholics Anonymous ) the person when it wants or it looks aid is because it is you give to be cured sees if in its city it has some group of aid. Valley the penalty.
Good luck
Kisses
2006-10-04 00:50:50 · answer #5 · answered by Esperança 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Thank you for caring, but there is precious little else that you can do.
About one drunk in six will seek help. Of those who do seek help, about one in six will sober up.
Maybe when she loses her job, her husband and kids, her bank account, her looks, and all of her friends, smashes up her car and maybe kills somebody, she will seek help. But she probably won't.
About 70% of alcoholics live at home with their families, and think that there is nothing wrong with them because they go to work five days a week.
2006-10-04 00:48:44 · answer #6 · answered by GreenHornet 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Immediate withdrawal of alcohol is very dangerous. It may lead to death or psychosis. Do it in a de-addiction centre under the supervision of psychiatrist. Do not try any short cuts.
2006-10-04 01:39:26 · answer #7 · answered by Ajeesh Kumar 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Alcoholics have to do it on their own. you cannot tell an alcololic anything he or she does not know already ...that's the reality of it. when she hits bottom is when she will do something. no one should be a enabler to her.
It's a disease and they are in constant denial.
2006-10-04 13:12:20 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
maybe she should be the one asking for the help....not you, BEYOTCH!!!!
2006-10-04 00:31:18 · answer #9 · answered by Hank 2 · 0⤊ 3⤋