How to Help an Alcoholic Who Doesn’t Want Help

Alcoholism is a serious disease that affects millions of people worldwide. When it is not dealt with properly, it can create numerous issues with physical and mental health. Not only can alcoholism be a danger to the person facing addiction, but also to the people around them.

In order to help someone facing alcoholism, it is important to look at the full picture. How did their addiction start? Are there any mental health conditions inhibiting recovery? Are they willing to go to an alcohol rehab centre? Once these questions are addressed, you can begin to help someone recover. How to get an alcoholic help takes time and care.

It can be hard to help an alcoholic who doesn’t want help – find out things you can do here.

How to Help an Alcoholic

Helping an alcoholic who doesn’t want help or refuses rehabilitation can be difficult. It can leave you feeling helpless and unsure of where to turn. However, there are some simple tips that can assist you in your quest. Alcoholism can create many issues that can be difficult to navigate.

If this includes their mental health, for example, they may need to speak to a professional. Showing support and guidance will be the best starting point.

Speak to them with sensitivity

Talk to your loved one with real sensitivity. Express your concern without anger, and without expecting them to admit anything. Just simply tell them that you are anxious about the situation. Calmly and rationally, you must ensure you do not cause any guilt or denial to them as this could aggravate the situation.

Encourage them to change without dictating

Another mistake frequently made is pushing or forcing someone to get help. If they do not come to the decision on their own, the chances are that they would not even complete their rehab and therefore not maintain long term sobriety. Forcing someone can make them feel devalued, therefore you should encourage them by mentioning groups of AA meetings, online pages to look at and even speaking to their GP.

Keep an eye on their symptoms

If someone showing signs of an alcohol addiction seems to be getting worse, and you are concerned about their behaviour, you can use people to intervene. These interventions can be seen as interfering by the person in question; but when things become severe, it may be your only option. A lot of private rehab clinics offer this service or can offer advice on the safest and most effective way to implement an addiction intervention.

How to Help Alcoholics Who Don’t Want Help

Do you want to know how to help alcoholics? Alcoholics who do not wish to be helped can negatively impact everything and everyone around them. You should consider some of the following points in order to make the biggest impact on change:

1. Understand Why Some Alcoholics Resist Help

Some alcoholics are afraid of what life will be like without alcohol. It has become ingrained in their daily routine, that change is scary for them. Furthermore, they are likely to have serious mental health issues that should be addressed, which is what hinders them from admitting their problem. When you are aware of this, you can create a better pathway.

2. Approach Alcoholics with Compassion

As we previously touched on, compassion and kindness is the best method. You should always tell them that you’re there to help, without judging or making them feel worthless. Be gentle, speak with a calm tone and try to maintain your integrity.

3. Set Your Boundaries

You also have your limits. If the alcoholic is your spouse or a relative that you live with, this can take its toll. In order to maintain your mental health and strength, you should set boundaries.

4. Research Treatment Options

There are a variety of treatment options available in the modern world. Oftentimes, GPs can offer assistance with places to find AA meetings and local groups. They may also be able to assess the patient and look at their medical history and their current symptoms. Look at what is best for them. Inpatient rehabilitation programmes are often the most successful. Depending on the severity of the addiction, an alcohol detox and a full programme can be created to help your loved one with alcoholism.

5. Stage an Intervention: When to Seek Professional Help

Alcoholism intervention strategies can greatly assist you to help an alcoholic who doesn’t want help. An intervention is when a neutral professional comes in to help relatives speak to someone with addiction in an attempt to get them to seek professional help. This family intervention is often carefully planned and will create a safe environment to openly speak about the issue, with the possibility of getting the person into rehab or at the very least, gaining some professional help.

When your loved one is self-harming or creating major issues at home or in their work, it is important to make the decision to stage an intervention. Untreated alcoholism can lead to death which is why it is important to help an alcoholic even if they don’t want help.

6. Ensure a Supportive Environment

The environment is an important component of how to help an alcoholic. When someone facing addiction feels loved and cared for, it is more likely that they will think about their actions. An angry and hostile environment may cause them to drink more. Whilst you should be firm in your actions, a kind and supporting tone and environment can be a very good place to start.

7. Utilise Addiction Support Groups

Support groups may meet weekly or fortnightly and speak about their issues in a private group. They will offer information on where to find treatment and small tips on how to curb their addiction. Whilst this is voluntary, it is also usually free and therefore provides a small step towards change. Online forums and groups are also open for people to use.

How to Get an Alcoholic Help

Ultimately, you should know how to help an alcoholic who doesn’t want help as this is a long process. Helping an alcoholic does not happen overnight. Considering their fragility and their state of mind is vital. That is why a constant secure environment is hugely beneficial when supporting a loved one with alcoholism.

Nova Recovery is a professional and dedicated rehab clinic that specialises in assisting people with alcoholism to create a healthier lifestyle and pathway to sobriety. With numerous available tailor-made programmes, we can treat addictions at their core, in a safe and secure environment. Nova Recovery can also organise interventions. For more information on how to get help for someone you know, please contact us on 01475 303998.

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John Gillen - Author - Last updated: September 8, 2023

John has travelled extensively around the world, culminating in 19 years’ experience looking at different models. He is the European pioneer of NAD+ (Nicotinamide Adenine Dinucleotide) treatment to Europe in 2010; and recently back from the USA bringing state of the art Virtual Reality Relapse Prevention and stress reduction therapy. His passion extends to other metabolic disturbances and neurodegenerative diseases. The journey continues. In recent times, John has travelled to Russia to study and research into a new therapy photobiomudulation or systemic laser therapy working with NAD+ scientists and the very best of the medical professionals in the UK and the USA, together with Nadcell, Bionad Hospitals own select Doctors, nurses, dieticians and therapists. Johns’ passion continues to endeavour to bring to the UK and Europe new developments with NAD+ Therapy in preventive and restorative medicine and Wellness. In 2017 John Gillen was made a visiting Professor at the John Naisbitt university in Belgrade Serbia.