Do you know someone who drinks too much? We all do. But if you are the one who cares for this person, you must try to get them to change their habits. Sometimes people need a little push to start on the path of sobriety. If your friend needs convincing, here are some ways that you can help them make the decision.
Get them to see a counselor
Counselors are trained professionals who are able to give your friend excellent advice on how to cope with their drinking problem. Perhaps there is some underlying reason why they drink too much. Or maybe they just need someone objective to help them see their situation clearly. Once your friend realizes the extent of the problems that have arisen due to alcohol abuse, they will be more likely to take action on quitting! So tell them about websites that can link them up with professional counselors in your area of the country. There is no need for anyone else to suffer because of another person’s bad choices. So let’s make sure we all look out for each other and offer our friends support when it’s needed most.
Make an agreement with them
Sometimes, it is hard for people to see how they are living their lives unless someone else points it out. If certain changes need to be made, get your friend to promise that they will make those changes. Imagine their surprise when you point out how much better their life will be if they change. The shock of that realization might be all it takes for them to take action on quitting drinking! If you have tried everything and nothing has changed, perhaps asking your friend directly would help. Some people actually choose not to quit until someone tells them directly how bad their drinking is.
So it might be the thing to do if you care about them. This might be the incentive that they need to get on the road to recovery finally. At least try to help your friend if they are unable to help themselves. It’s not always easy, but all of us must look out for each other. Sometimes people need a little push to make some changes in their life. But once they start realizing how much better off they can be when they are sober, they will never go back to drinking again! So let’s work together and encourage our friends with positive words of encouragement. Let them know that you’re worried about them. When someone drinks too much, it may be time for concerned friends and family members to take action.
Remind them of the benefits
If your friend is not willing to quit drinking, you can try to get them to cut back on their alcohol intake. For example, if they are drinking 6 beers every night after work, get them to drink only 4 beers. You never know, it could make all the difference in their lives. If they are already showing signs of addiction, this small change might be all that is needed for your friend to start taking control of their life again. Who knows? Maybe by reminding them of how many bottles it takes before they lose their job because of too much alcohol consumption or how many nights they pass out while driving home because, well, let’s just say it doesn’t end well for anyone! They might be shocked into taking action.
Be supportive of their efforts
If your friend finally decides to quit drinking, you should be there for them on that journey. Let them know that you are thinking about them and are always willing to listen if they need to talk. Sometimes all it takes is a reminder that somebody cares for the person to change their ways. So let’s hope this article was able to convince somebody somewhere to quit drinking! And let’s all be grateful for our friends who are always there when we need them!
Find out their triggers
Everyone has certain things that trigger them to drink heavily. Maybe your friend needs a drink after work before they can even enjoy the weekend. If you know these triggers, try to avoid them or talk to your friend about taking different actions in those situations. For instance, if they feel like they need a drink when they get home from work, maybe have them read for 30 minutes instead of having that first one. If you are not used to confronting people on these kinds of issues, it can be helpful to practice this conversation with another person first. Then when you are ready, sit down with your friend to make your concerns clear. Remember, your friend’s health and happiness are at stake. We all need a little help sometimes! Call us at 833-610-1174.