Supporting or Assisting an Alcohol Dependent Individual
In the battle against alcoholism, professional rehab counselling is crucial for alcoholics to confront the truth about their condition. However, a common obstacle that often hinders recovery is the phenomenon of enabling, a behaviour exhibited by loved ones who inadvertently perpetuate the addiction.
Enabling, such as covering up for the alcoholic, excusing their behaviour, or managing their responsibilities, reduces the alcoholic's motivation or perceived need to change. This dynamic creates a cycle where the alcoholic's drinking worsens, while those around them try to maintain the status quo, undermining intervention efforts.
Co-dependence, a related concept where family members' self-worth or identity becomes entangled with the alcoholic's behaviour, can also perpetuate unhealthy dynamics. It can involve tolerating abusive or destructive behaviours to avoid conflict or out of fear of abandonment, further enabling the addiction's progression.
The consequences of this enabling behaviour are severe. It contributes to the continued progression toward severe addiction stages, including physical dependency and addiction with intense cravings and health complications. By removing the natural consequences of drinking, enabling delays intervention and recovery.
However, there is hope. Families' recognition and cessation of enabling behaviours combined with professional interventions are crucial to increasing chances of recovery and preventing end-stage alcoholism or death.
It is a misconception that an alcoholic must 'hit rock bottom' and enter rehab willingly for it to work. In reality, most patients enter alcohol rehab due to external factors, not a personal realization of needing help.
Moreover, it is important to note that quitting alcohol can lead to improved physical and mental health. The body has natural mechanisms that want to quit alcohol, such as nausea and headaches. 'Tough love' can lead to better results than enabling the alcoholic. Taking tough choices, such as allowing the alcoholic to come back to an empty house, is crucial rather than rescuing and 'fixing' the trouble.
For those struggling to cope with an alcoholic or a recovering alcoholic, seeking help and support from recovery centres or facilities is advisable. WeDoRecover.com offers individualized and practical help for alcoholics' families. Private alcohol detox clinics are available in the UK, South Africa, and Thailand.
The effects of alcoholism on children can be severe and long-lasting. Therefore, it is essential to address alcoholism not only for the sake of the alcoholic but also for the wellbeing of their loved ones, particularly their children.
In conclusion, the impact of enabling on alcoholism is significant and often overlooked. By understanding and addressing this issue, we can break the cycle that allows alcoholism to worsen and increase the chances of recovery for those affected by this disease.
- Recovery from alcoholism is impeded by the phenomenon of enabling, which includes covering up for an alcoholic, excusing their behavior, or managing their responsibilities.
- Co-dependence, a related concept where family members' self-worth or identity becomes entangled with the alcoholic's behavior, can also perpetuate unhealthy dynamics that further enable the addiction's progression.
- Enabling delays intervention and recovery by reducing the alcoholic's motivation to change and removing the natural consequences of drinking.
- Removing the enabling behaviors and seeking professional interventions, like counseling and therapy, are crucial steps to increasing the chances of recovery and preventing end-stage alcoholism or death.
- Quitting alcohol can lead to improved physical and mental health; 'tough love' techniques can lead to better results than enabling the alcoholic.
- For those who struggle to cope with an alcoholic or a recovering alcoholic, seeking support from recovery centers, facilities, or private alcohol detox clinics is advisable, and WeDoRecover.com offers individualized and practical help. The effects of alcoholism on children can be severe and long-lasting, so addressing alcoholism is essential for the wellbeing of their loved ones, especially the children.
