Do you want to tell someone you have an alcohol addiction? If you don’t know how best to speak to a loved one, friend, or colleague about your alcohol use before you seek rehab for alcohol, here are some tips that I hope will help to make it a little easier.
ARTICLE SUMMARY: Find out how to explain to someone that you have an alcohol addiction. This article guides you on how to ask for support when drinking alcohol is no longer a choice but an addiction.
ESTIMATED READING TIME: 5 minutes.
TABLE OF CONTENTS:
Why Should You Tell Someone You Have an Alcohol Addiction?
Choose the Right Place and Time
Online Support Groups for Alcohol Addiction
If you find it difficult to enjoy yourself or relax without having a drink, it’s possible you’ve become dependent on alcohol.
Drinkaware
Why Should You Tell Someone You Have an Alcohol Addiction?
Accepting that you have a problem with drinking is tough. It can take a long time to face that you have an alcohol addiction, often after numerous blackouts. Admitting to yourself that you are an alcoholic means you have reached the first stage of recovery; the next step is telling someone else.
I know how much courage this takes because I have been a secret high-functioning addict. But until you tell someone that you have an addiction to alcohol, it is all too easy to continue to hide your problem and not seek rehab for alcohol or addiction treatment. Talking to someone about your drinking is a great first step in your recovery.
Realising you have a problem with alcohol is the first big step to getting help. NHS
Choose the Right Place and Time
Where and when you choose to speak with someone about your problems with alcohol is crucial. Arranging your meeting first thing in the morning may help you to remain sober. You should also arrange to speak with someone where you will have privacy and no interruptions. If you are worried about having someone over to your home, another option is to go to a park or sit in your car. You may also find it easier to talk and walk if the weather is nice and there are not too many people around.
Choose someone you don’t go drinking with and if you have had an alcoholic drink, always be honest. You may find that the person will prefer to arrange to meet at another time.
Starting the Conversation
Explain that you have asked them to meet with you because you are taking ownership of a problem, and how to stop your addiction to alcohol. By starting the conversation in this way, you prepare yourself and the person you are speaking with for a serious discussion, and it may make it easier, to be honest about your alcohol use.
Some of the things you may want to discuss are the reasons you want to stop drinking and what you hope to achieve when you are able to remain sober. It can also help to explain why you have decided to take this step and ask for their support in finding rehab for alcohol or outpatient treatment.
Online Support Groups for Alcohol Addiction
Talking to a friend, partner, or relative can be very difficult, so joining an online alcohol support group may be easier. You can find online meetings held by numerous alcohol support organizations, including:
Alcoholics Anonymous — One of the most well-known organizations that provide 12-step recovery programs and online meetings.
Smart Recovery — An alternative to AA, this organization is not just a support group for alcohol use disorder. In addition to online meetings, specialized group forums and peer support groups are available.
LifeRing — Another alternative addiction support group for drugs and alcohol. In addition to online meetings, LifeRing has various private email groups, including an LGBTQIA+ email group. They work by enabling communication with other people via a secure email group address.
Narcotics Anonymous — Provide online meetings in the UK for anyone with an addiction to drugs or alcohol.
Addiction Treatment Options in the UK
If you are unable to fund addiction treatment, you can either speak with your GP or contact your local addiction treatment service. For more information and help finding addiction treatment, you can call the Frank helpline on 0300 123 6600. In most cases, the NHS will provide addiction treatment on an outpatient basis.
UK Addiction Helplines
Al-Anon — 0800 0086 811
Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) — 0800 9177650
Narcotics Anonymous — 0300 999 1212
About Narcotics Anonymous UK Meetings
Talk to Frank — 0300 123 6600
The above helplines are not available 24/7. If you are struggling to cope, you can call the Samaritans free 24/7 helpline on 116 123.
We hope this has helped you decide to speak to someone about your alcohol addiction and start your recovery journey. If you want advice about private residential rehab for alcohol addiction in the UK, call us on 0800 170 1222 or use our online form and we will contact you. We always aim to answer all enquiries with a personal reply.
About the author
Danielle Byatt is the Treatment Director and Co-founder of Step by Step Recovery, an outpatient addiction treatment and residential rehab facility. She is in long-term recovery from addiction after spending many years in and out of rehab facilities.
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