Noticing Signs of a Drinking Problem

Have you noticed signs of a drinking problem? It might not be your drinking problem, but it can be a huge problem for your entire family. Maybe you’ve noticed the signs in one of your loved ones, and things are getting tense at home.

 

Let’s review some of the signs: Are they regularly drinking more than they intended? Are they having trouble cutting back on their drinking? They are spending a lot of time getting alcohol, drinking, and recovering from the effects? Are they having trouble at work or school? Missing out on work or school or social activities where there is no alcohol involved? Are you having fights and arguments about your loved ones drinking?

 

Any of these could indicate a problem.

 

Let’s talk about you first, because if you have a family member whose drinking is now a problem for them, your family now has a problem too. It’s important to remember that you didn’t cause this, you can’t control it, and you can’t cure it. Alcohol doesn’t just affect your loved one, it affects the entire family.

 

You may feel ashamed, or scared, or angry about their drinking. You may try and pretend it’s not that bad. You may think if you leave them alone, keep the kids away, make excuses for them to work, that things will get better. You may blame yourself. And it may feel like there aren’t solutions.

 

There are though. There are a lot of things you CAN do, and you do have a lot of power, even if it doesn’t feel like it right now. The way you talk to your loved one can help them get help. How you communicate can make all the difference in the world when it comes to helping them seek help. It can also make all the difference in the world in your life.

 

We can help teach you different ways of communicating. We can help make your life better, regardless of if they get help or not. We can help you increase the chances of your loved one getting help with their drinking. We can help you feel not so alone with the problem. It’s not easy to talk to someone about their drinking, but we can help you learn how to express your concerns in a caring way.

 

No one knows what to do when this happens in their family. You need help too. Things can get better and that’s what we do here. If there is an alcohol problem in your family, read HERE to learn more about our programs for the friends and family of people coping with alcohol problems. Because you’re suffering too and it’s time for life to get better.