If your loved one struggles with drinking at abusive levels, it can make you grow weary and angry and harbor unnecessary resentment and bitterment. But, there are certainly some positive steps that you can implement to help them overcome their battle and start living an abundant and empowered life. Here at least seven positive and loving ways that you can assist:
1. Help them acknowledge their problem with humility. One of the primary ways to assist your loved one overcome excessive drinking is to humbly help them to admit that they do have a problem. For some individuals, admitting a problem can be very difficult. But, one cannot overcome a stronghold in their life, if they do not believe that it is applicable to them.
2. Speak positive words of life. Continually speaking positive and empowering words over your loved one’s life can really encourage them and provide comfort. It is very easy to become overly negative with your spouse who suffers with alcohol abuse, but it is essential to stay positive and to speak positive words on a continual basis.
3. Spend quality time. Quality time spent with your loved one can help keep them from the temptation of excessive drinking. Of course, you cannot be with your loved one on a 24/7 basis. But, continually exhorting them to stay away from people and places that influence alcohol abuse can prove extremely beneficial.
4. Surround them with other positive people. It is essential to surround your loved one with a network of other people who will motivate, empower and encourage them to win the battle over their destructive habit. Oftentimes, a support group may be necessary, if you deem that their help will prove effective.
5. Consult a medical professional. Oftentimes, it may prove beneficial to consult a medical professional who can recommend an effective counselor with a great track record of helping those who struggle with alcohol abuse. These counselors may be able to establish a program to keep the habit in control.
6. Pray/ help them meditate. Many find that prayer or spiritual meditation can help at least relax the rumblings of the soul. If your loved one is open to the idea of healing, meditate together — or encourage constant meditation.
7. Get the facts. According to a recent study published in the medical journal Lancet and cross-referenced in the Washington Post, “Alcohol is more dangerous than illegal drugs like heroin and crack cocaine.” This comprehensive study, which was primarily conducted by British researchers, involved the analysis of alcohol, cocaine, heroin, ecstasy, methamphetamine and marijuana and a comparative ranking predicated on addictiveness and harm, in addition to other criteria like environmental damage, its role in breaking up families and its economic costs, such as health care, social services, and prison.
Based on objective evidence from the study, scientists adjudged that heroin, crack cocaine and methamphetamine were the most lethal to individuals. When considering social effects, alcohol, heroin and crack cocaine were determined to be the deadliest. On the whole, the researchers declared that alcohol outranked all other substances, because “it is so widely used and has devastating consequences not only for drinkers but for those around them.”
Whether you agree with the conclusions or not, it is safe to state that the study continues to bring to light how excessive consumption of alcohol remains a major problem and adversely affects a plethora of lives. Across all races, it is has been proven with objective and current statistics that alcohol abuse remains a major problem and adversely affects a plethora of lives. Statistically, almost 14 million Americans battle with an alcohol addiction. Greater than 50% of adults in the US have had knowledge of someone in their immediate family with an alcohol problem. And, around a quarter of all children experience some form of alcoholism in their families before they turn 18.
