How to Help a Recovering Alcoholic
When someone has completed residential rehab or an outpatient addiction treatment programme, it can be difficult to return to everyday life and responsibilities. If you want to know how to help a recovering alcoholic, especially during early recovery, there are several ways you can support their sobriety.
- Do not keep alcohol at home
- Avoid drinking alcohol in front of them
- Agree not to drink alcohol if you go with them to a social event together
- Encourage them to try new activities, such as going to the gym or joining an adult education course
- Arrange to do things together outside the home
- Accompany them to meetings at addiction support organisations
You can also provide support by setting up a time every week where you can sit and chat and ask them how they are managing. This is a good way of checking in on them and finding out if there is anything you can help with. Having a regular time to talk and spend time together every week allows them to share their feelings and be honest if they are struggling.
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Stress and feeling overwhelmed can make it hard for an individual to maintain sobriety during the early stages of recovery from alcohol addiction. Offering to do practical things, such as making healthier meals or keeping on top of their laundry, is another way to support someone in recovery.
Small actions of encouragement are also critical, and showing that you acknowledge that recovery is challenging can go a long way. It is important to be aware that there is a high chance of relapse during the first 30 days following the completion of alcohol addiction treatment.
Learn to watch out for signs that could indicate a relapse, including:
- Change in behaviour or attitude
- Denial that they are still addicted to alcohol
- Withdrawing from family and friends
- Loss of interest in activities or trying new activities
- Being off work ill or cancelling meetings because they are ill.
At Step by Step, our residential and private rehab centres provide complete addiction treatment, relapse prevention and aftercare. We also provide support through our New Way To Live Scheme which is open to all individuals in recovery from addiction.
Remember, recovery is an ongoing active effort; if you or someone you know needs help please contact us for free advice about addiction treatment and recovery.
Why choose Step by Step?
- Fully Residential
- Around-the-clock care
- Medical detox unit
- Extended family support
- After care support service
- Nutritional food cooked by our chefs
- Outstanding quality of care
- Highly experienced team
