Alcohol addiction is a treatable mental health disorder that impacts millions of people and their families. Supporting an alcoholic loved one during recovery is vital to help them complete the program and maintain their sobriety. The more support they have, the easier it can be for them to reach recovery goals. One key benefit of finding an alcohol addiction treatment center is it includes families in the recovery process to support their loved ones’ lifelong recovery.
At Arkview Recovery Center, we work with men and women who are struggling with addiction to alcohol, cocaine, meth, or other lethal substances. We are a full-service treatment center that offers residential and outpatient treatment programs that utilize the best types of therapy for treating addiction. Our programs are built around each patient’s symptoms and teach them how to process the feelings or events that caused the abuse to begin. To learn more about our alcohol addiction treatment center, call 717.744.0756 today to speak with one of our knowledgeable team members.
Recognizing the Signs of Addiction
Identifying the signs of addiction is essential in supporting an alcoholic friend. When you abuse alcohol, it causes physical changes in the chemical makeup that is crucial to your general well-being. The more you use alcohol, the more your body begins to rely on the substance to function normally.
If a person tries to stop without professional support, they will experience a wide range of withdrawal symptoms that can be deadly. Withdrawal symptoms generally last up to four weeks, with most symptoms peaking around 48-72 hours from their last drink.
If you suspect a friend or loved one is abusing alcohol, look for these signs of alcohol abuse:
- Whenever you see them, they are drinking or intoxicated
- When they are not drinking, they experience withdrawals and cravings that steadily increase
- A lack of interest in activities they used to enjoy
- Withdrawing from friends and family
- Needing a drink just to get started in the morning
- Work or school performance suffers
- Intense cravings for alcohol when not drinking
- An inability to perform sexually
At Arkview Recovery, we work closely with our patient’s families and go over what to expect during the recovery process. We answer any questions they may have, including how do you support an alcoholic and what the different stages of recovery are.
Supporting an Alcoholic Loved One
How do you support an alcoholic? Friends and family can play a critical role in how well a person recovers and maintains sobriety. Addiction is a lifelong illness with symptoms that can return even years after the last drink. The support you give them during these difficult times can help prevent relapse, alcohol poisoning, and death.
Here are some of the best ways to support an alcoholic loved one:
- Educate yourself about addiction and how it affects individuals and those around them. This can help show you how alcohol can consume a person’s thoughts to the point where all they can think about is getting that next drink.
- Participate in family therapy to address any unresolved issues that may be causing fractures in the family unit. All family members will have a chance to talk with a therapist, work on any issues that may have led to the abuse, and learn how to create a supportive and sober home environment.
- Find new sober activities that you can do together that promote a healthy lifestyle. Start an exercise program, take a cooking class, or pursue other interests that you have always wanted to do.
- Begin a sober journey with them. Partners who build a healthy and sober life together are more likely to stay together and have the confidence to handle any stressful situation in the future.
There are many ways of supporting an alcoholic friend as they begin to build a new life. Addiction recovery can not only stop the abuse but also help rebuild relationships and strengthen the family bond.
Arkview Recovery: Find Help Supporting an Alcoholic Friend
At Arkview Recovery Center, we aim to help you and your family through the recovery process with less risk of relapse. After your alcoholic loved one arrives at our facility, we will fully assess their physical and mental health to place them in the appropriate program. Loved ones will have a chance to work with a therapist to discuss their frustrations and learn how to create a supportive home environment.
If you or a loved one is struggling with alcohol addiction, today is the perfect day to pick up the phone and call 717.744.0756 to discover how we can support your recovery.
Kyle is Lead Therapist at Arkview Recovery Center. He holds a Master of Social Work degree from Temple University and is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker. He has years of experience working directly with individuals who suffer from addiction and mental health disorders. Being in long term recovery himself, Kyle is very passionate about the recovery process. He is heavily involved in the local recovery community in which he enjoys his commitments to service and giving back. His specialty is in group therapy and developing clinical staff. Kyle brings to Arkview a holistic approach to recovery, specializing in mindfulness, reality therapy, and solution-focused therapy.
