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How to Talk to Loved Ones About Your Alcohol Addiction

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How to talk to loved ones about your alcohol addiction

Alcohol abuse can have many negative consequences, from an increased risk of heart disease to the loss of your job or driver’s license. However, there are ways to come back from this type of addiction, and one of the first steps is to tell your family about the problem and why you believe it is time to seek help. While this step is necessary, you may not know how to begin. Talking to loved ones about your alcohol addiction can be difficult, but there are several strategies you can use to get the conversation started.

Begin With Yourself

Before you can approach your family about your problem with alcohol, you must first be honest with yourself. Examine what led you down the road to addiction and why you were unable to resist the temptations that caused you to abuse alcohol. You can either talk to yourself out loud while facing a mirror or write down your thoughts in a journal. Either way, admitting the problem to yourself may help you feel more comfortable when the time comes to talk to others about it.

Break the Circle of Abuse and Isolation

During the period of abuse, you might have isolated yourself from friends and family, and this can make reaching out difficult, However, if you have finally decided to get help, you should try to reopen the lines of communication and let your loved ones know you have decided to seek treatment. While this might be daunting, especially with those who have been hurt by your addiction, letting them know you acknowledge your problem and need help may allow them to take the first steps toward forgiveness.

Try to Answer Questions

Whether you are a functioning alcoholic or at the end of your rope with the way you abuse alcohol, your loved ones will probably have questions for you when you admit your addiction. They might want to know what started you drinking, how much alcohol you are consuming, and why you did not seek help sooner. Some of your loved ones might even come across as being angry or hurt when they question you. However, a positive step toward seeking help is to try and answer as many questions as you can, and to do so honestly.

As you answer questions about your alcohol addiction, you may feel defensive or like you are being attacked. However, you should remember that allowing your loved ones to ask questions may help them to better understand your problem. For more information about this process and about possible treatment options, visit www.addiction.com.

Speak to Kids One on One

Talking to your kids about alcohol abuse may require a private conversation with an understanding loved one close at hand to lend support. You do not have to reveal everything and should try to keep it as simple as possible for younger kids. Older children and teens should be encouraged to ask questions and speak openly about their feelings, especially if they have shown resentment for the abuse in the past.

Seeking treatment for alcohol abuse can be a long and difficult process. However, when you reach out to your family and friends and decide to be honest about the help you need, this can ease the way to a better tomorrow.