How can I help a person who has an alcohol use problem get treatment?
There are many ways to help a person who has an alcohol use problem to get treatment. Follow these steps to help both yourself and the person with the alcohol use problem. • Educate yourself about alcohol’s effects on a person and the person’s family. Learn how alcohol affects health and how it can lead to serious health problems. You can get information by contacting an alcohol and drug treatment center in your area and talking with a health professional trained in dealing with alcohol use problems. • Allow consequences. Let the person suffer the consequences of his or her drinking behavior. Stop making excuses for the drinking. Don’t take over the person’s responsibilities or cover up for him or her. If you are having problems recognizing and changing your enabling behaviors, talk with a health professional or go to a support group such as Al-Anon for people affected by someone with an alcohol use problem. Allowing the person to suffer consequences might help the person realize that
