Signs That a Loved One Needs Alcohol Rehab

When you're close to someone who has problems with alcohol, you may not notice their problem progressing or you may make excuses for their drinking. How do you know when their issues have got so serious that they require alcohol rehab? The following signs may indicate that your loved one would benefit from alcohol rehab.

Poor health

If your loved one suffers from regular and/or ongoing ill health because of their drinking but won't stop, they may benefit from alcohol rehab. A refusal to give up may suggest an alcohol dependency which may need to be tackled through alcohol detox. The sooner your loved one seeks help, the sooner their health will improve and the more the risks of long-term damage will be minimised.

Relationships

If your loved one's relationships with friends, family and colleagues are suffering, it may be time to talk to them about considering alcohol rehab. If your relationship with your loved one is suffering because of their drinking, or you see their other personal relationships crumbling, talk to them about it and suggest that alcohol rehab might help.

Work

Alcoholism can cause significant problems with work, education and finances. If your loved one is regularly missing work or school/college, alcohol rehab may be the right thing to get them back on track.  If your loved one has been fired or is failing to keep up with their work, speak to them if you can. The stress of financial problems is only likely to make their drinking worse.

Mental health

If your loved one's mental health is suffering because of alcoholism, alcohol treatment could help them recover. Many people self-medicate with alcohol when they're suffering from stress or depression and alcohol treatment can help to break this destructive cycle.

Quitting alcohol

If someone has repeatedly tried and failed to stop drinking on their own, alcohol rehab is the next logical step. If your loved one can not stop drinking when they choose to, it is likely that they are an alcoholic and alcohol rehab could help them stop drinking for good. 

If someone experiences withdrawal symptoms when they don't drink, they will benefit from alcohol rehab and should definitely speak to a doctor as soon as possible. Remember that although you can offer support and encourage your loved one to enter alcohol rehab, you can't force them to do so until they're ready.

You must protect yourself and you may also benefit from counselling or therapy, regardless of whether your loved one agrees to alcohol treatment or alcohol rehab.

About the Author

Wellington Lodge is an established not-for-profit specialist alcohol rehab provider. We offer triage, screening and rehabilitation at our comfortable in-patient facility at Wellington Lodge in North London. We also offer out-patient facilities at specialist clinics in Harley Street, London or at Queens Square in Bath, Somerset.

Tips for Stopping Drinking

You may be concerned about your drinking for a number of reasons – perhaps you're worried about your health or the damage that drinking is doing to your relationships. If you have not become physically dependent on alcohol, you may be able to stop drinking by yourself.If you are dependent on alcohol, you still might be able to quit drinking without alcohol treatment but you should speak to your GP or an alcohol support professional as there can be some nasty side-effects so just stopping without support can be dangerous. Your doctor may refer you for alcohol rehab or offer you ways to help you detox from home.1. Define your goalsAsk yourself why you want to stop drinking and think carefully about it. Understanding what you want to achieve and why is a good way to stay motivated, focused and on track. It may be that you're concerned that your health is suffering or perhaps drinking is affecting your performance at work. Many people simply want to feel in control again. Write your reasons for wanting to stop drinking down and refer to them often, especially when you're tempted to drink.2. Plan aheadIt can help to plan your non-drinking in advance, especially in the early days. Pick a day to quit or cut down when you're least likely to be stressed and temptation won't be in your way. Pick a day of the week to go without alcohol and then gradually build it up, adding an extra day. Eventually you'll be out of the habit of drinking altogether or you'll feel in control of your drinking.3. Stay focusedStopping drinking or even cutting down dramatically is not easy and there most likely will be setbacks. If there are days when you break your own drinking rules or drink too much, don't give up altogether. Tomorrow is a new day and it's well worth persevering.4. Get supportIf you feel comfortable doing so, talk about your plans to stop drinking with friends and family. This will help motivate you to succeed and you're also likely to get a lot of support. In addition, friends and family will avoid offering you alcohol and perhaps even refrain from drinking in front of you. In the early days, especially at social occasions this can be really helpful. If you're finding that you can't stop drinking and are breaking your drinking rules regularly, it may be a good idea to get professional help. Talk to your GP or an alcohol professional. They won't judge you and they'll discuss options with you such as alcohol detox, rehab and non-residential alcohol treatment. About the Author

Wellington Lodge is an established not-for-profit specialist alcohol rehab provider. We offer triage, screening and rehabilitation at our comfortable in-patient facility at Wellington Lodge in North London. We also offer out-patient facilities at specialist clinics in Harley Street, London or at Queens Square in Bath, Somerset.