How you can support an alcoholic parent

If you live with a mother or father who has an alcohol problem, it can also start to affect the way you think and act. You might become withdrawn, anxious or depressed, avoid confrontation and feel overwhelmed with the situation. While it is always difficult to approach someone about their drinking habits, saying something is better than doing nothing. Opening up the conversation can help you to determine if your parent needs specialist help and would benefit from an alcohol rehab programme.

Be caring and compassionate

When someone’s drinking is taking its toll on you it’s hard to feel sympathetic. But remember, alcohol addiction isn’t a choice; it’s a disease. Explain yourself rationally and listen carefully to their responses with compassion. Approach your mother or father when they are sober so that they remember the conversation and are less likely to be volatile. You could give examples of how their drinking is affecting life at home and the changes you would like to see going forward.

Create a sober environment

If your parent is drinking too much there are things you can do at home to make alcohol less accessible. Clear out the cupboards and, if total abstinence seems impossible, set some boundaries on the amount they can drink. For instance, don’t shop for them or give them money to spend on alcohol. Discourage friends or family members from drinking with them or taking them to places where alcohol is unavoidable. It might also help to introduce more activities that aren’t reliant on alcohol.

Stage an intervention

Tell family and friends about your concerns and formulate a plan of action. It’s important that your parent doesn’t feel “ganged up on” but sometimes staging an intervention is the only way you can get through to someone with an alcohol use disorder. It’s also crucial that you share how you’re feeling and gather support for your cause. Family therapy sessions can be particularly useful in helping your parent to stick to an alcohol rehab programme. It gives both parties a chance to share their point of view with an impartial listener.

Get professional help

Withdrawing from alcohol alone can be dangerous and if your loved one has been drinking heavily for a long time, they might benefit from specialist help at a treatment centre. As well as supporting your parent physically with an alcohol detox, they will have access to a range of psychotherapies to make sense of their addiction and aftercare services support them in lasting recovery.

Does your parent need help with alcohol addiction?

If your mother, father or another parent you know is showing signs of alcohol addiction, it’s important they get help.

Our admissions team is on hand 24/7 to help answer any questions about our alcohol detox programmes and make sure your loved one gets the support they need.

Call the team today on 0330 111 2015 to discuss the different options available.