8 Cognitive Behavioral Steps to Reduce Problematic Drinking

However, civil commitment laws vary significantly from state to state. For instance, some states only allow a person to be civilly committed for a maximum of a month; others allow for civil commitment that lasts a year or longer. If there are any concerns about content we have published, please reach out to us at If you have children, it’s important to protect them from unacceptable behavior as well. Do not tolerate hurtful or negative comments addressed towards them. These comments can result in lasting damage to a child’s psyche.

General Health

Either way you should spend time cataloguing the different types of social situations you might find yourself in that will involve some kind of pressure or temptation to drink. In the following article I would like to share 8 impactful strategies to reduce or stop your drinking that you can start implementing today. When your spouse or partner is https://ecosoberhouse.com/ misusing alcohol, it’s important to see support from others, rather than going it along. The following resources may be helpful for yourself, your family members, and/or the individual struggling with alcohol misuse. You can’t cure your partner’s alcohol use disorder for them.

Starting with a Primary Care Provider

• However, some people may wonder how to tell someone they have a drinking problem or how to confront an alcoholic….
• If you know someone who has successfully quit drinking, speak with them.
• Until they begin to contemplate quitting, any actions you take to “help” them quit will often be met with resistance.
• The help and support from partners, relatives, and friends are invaluable to a person with AUD.

We also explore how to approach and support someone with AUD, and offer self-care advice for people recovering from AUD. If a person is worried that someone they know has alcohol use disorder (AUD), there are ways in which they can provide support. As a part of the planning stage, you’ll need to assemble a list of quick, ready, and accessible treatment options. Consuming more than one drink a day (equivalent to a 12-ounce beer) for women and two drinks a day for men may be considered unhealthy.2 Remember, only a physician can diagnose someone with an AUD. However, being aware of the signs of an AUD can help you prepare for your conversation with the person you suspect has a problem. To learn more about addiction, how it manifests, and its effects on society, view our addiction statistics page.

Do Not Argue With Your Loved One

Instead, ask them gently if they think there could be a contributing cause to their drinking. If your loved one is living under your roof, you have leverage, Harrison says. But if the problem drinker is a son or daughter who is living with a spouse or partner, you might broach your concerns with the other person. If your adult child’s significant other is concerned, the two of you can talk about the best way to approach the drinking. At the other end of the spectrum is alcoholism, which refers to a long-term dependence on alcohol. After you’ve taken all these measures, remember that you cannot force your loved one into treatment.

If your loved one is struggling with alcohol use, it can be challenging to figure out how to help them. Contact your primary care provider, health insurance plan, local health department, or employee assistance program for information about specialty treatment. Your provider may also be able to suggest an online self-guided program.

Staying Social When You Quit Drinking

Often they struggle with depression or anxiety and drink as a way to self-medicate. It is important to acknowledge that you think there may support for those who struggling with alcohol addiction be an underlying mental health issue that results in drinking. Try not to sound accusatory, especially if the person may not know they suffer from depression or anxiety.

Caregiver Stress and Burnout

Instead of criticizing or sounding judgmental, stick with the facts when explaining what happens when the individual drinks too much. You may tell yourself that surely there is something you can do. But the reality is that not even the person dependent on alcohol can control their drinking, try as they may. It’s hard watching a loved one deny their drinking problem. There may be many reasons why someone is hesitant to seek help — from lack of awareness to stigma and shame.

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