How do you treat someone who has an addiction?
Heavy drinking can weigh heavily on the hearts of those living with or in a close relationship with an alcoholic. It’s true that drinking makes alcoholics do some crazy things they wouldn’t do when sober. It’s important to realize there are equally damaging choices friends and family can make, as well.
Most often, poor choices are made as a rash emotional response instead of a rational decision. For example, spouses and children who are frightened and confused may choose not to defend or protect themselves from an abusive or violent alcoholic. Fear can drive people to support hiding the alcoholic’s addiction from other friends and family. Covering up their behavior or making excuses for them can prolong those behaviors, because they feel no consequences for their actions.
Before taking action, think through what you’re going to do and why you’re doing it. Determine if you’re making the decision solely based on an emotional response like fear, confusion, anger or frustration. If so, identify alternatives and seek out an objective perspective. Sometimes all it takes is another point of view to help make sense of a stressful situation. The important thing is you’re making rational decisions about the appropriate course of action, instead of becoming part of the insanity – you can distance yourself from it by remaining rational.