Help Someone Else Quit Drinking
Many of us feel that if someone cared enough about us, whether it’s a spouse, a child, a friend, or a relative, they’d want to quit for us, and they would be able to do so. Those beliefs can foster resentment, and more importantly, they ignore the physiology behind the drinking behavior. When we understand the science behind drinking behavior, we’re able to be more compassionate and more understanding. We’re better able to respond in helpful ways that encourage that person to want to treat the problem. It’s critically important for the sake of the relationship — and for our own mental health — that we accept that they cannot stop thinking about drinking.
At Go Sober, we recommend that you meet with an alcohol treatment specialist to learn about tools and resources that can help your loved one move toward treatment — and a life without alcohol.
Guidelines To Help Someone Else Stop Drinking
Few things are harder in life than watching someone you love struggle with alcohol. Whether they acknowledge the problem or not, your role as a family member or friend can be the catalyst that moves them to finally make a commitment to get help.
Here are some guidelines we recommend you follow when it’s time to have a serious conversation with them:
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- Be open and honest in your communication and in sharing your feelings.
- Pick a time when you and your loved one are most likely able to have a rational discussion.
- Focus on the drinking and the behavior that stems from the problem.
- Avoid being accusatory and attacking the character of your loved one.
- Talk honestly about how the drinking behavior is affecting you and others.
- Let the past remain in the past, and focus on positive change for the future.
Help Them Understand Their Alcohol Treatment Options
We understand that there are many types of alcohol treatment programs available. Not only that, but people have different expectations about treatment. Go Sober is a very different medically-based outpatient alcohol treatment program – we take a comprehensive, science- and medical-based approach that is designed to treat the whole person. This multidisciplinary approach is why our program has a higher probability of success when compared to other programs like detox, rehab, and 12-step programs.
We strongly encourage you to familiarize yourself with our website to get a basic understanding of the scientific and medical reasons why people struggle with alcohol addiction, and how we treat alcohol addiction with a comprehensive, multidisciplinary approach:
- Detox and doctor-approved medication protocols
- Lifestyle and behavioral modification
- Health and wellness coaching
- Post-treatment transitional support
Treatment Program Comparison Table
The following table shows the different types of alcohol treatment programs available and illustrates some of the key tradeoffs of each. It clearly shows why some programs are less effective than others based on treatment type.
Attribute | Detox | Rehab | Talk Programs | MAT | GO SOBER |
Description | Brief stay facility to get through withdrawals | Multi-week, residential facility to stop drinking | 1 on 1 or group discussion about quitting drinking | Medications to help people not drink. Usually in combination with some behavioral health | Evidence based, using meds and behavior science to treat cause and improve quality of life |
Length of Program | 1 to 5 days | 1 week to 90 days. Typically 28 days | Usually ongoing (forever) | Short or long term depending upon medication. Often a monthly Rx | 4 hrs/wk for about 75 days |
Scope | Supervision, hydration, medications and nutrients to manage withdrawal symptoms | Supervision, group discussion, counseling, coaching, education, physical activities, role playing and 12-step meetings. | Exchange of words, ideas, strategies and concepts to discourage drinking and make lifestyle changes | Drugs that punish (Antibuse) or reduce pleasure (Naltrexone), or have limited studies (Baclofen) or, simply treat alcohol symptoms (anxiety, sleep, depression and high BP.) | FDA meds & supplements that restore dopamine response plus 1 on 1 counseling & coaching to manage stress and improve life without alcohol |
Confidentiality | Private | Public - Groups | Public Groups (ex. Counseling) | Private | Private, Discreet |
Specific to Inividual | Private | Mostly group activity | Group activity except counseling | Standard protocol - one size fits all | All individualized counseling, life coaching, nutrition, stress management and personal 3-year plan |
Dishcharge Recommendations | Attend treatment & AA meetings | Sober living, AA meetings & ongoing relapse prevention | Empasizes one is always in Recovery. Focus on psychological reasons for drinking, rather than treating the problem. Emphasizes relapse prevention plan. | Take meds as prescribed. Attend AA meetings; focus on always in Recovery. Emphasis on Relapse Prevention | Develop strategies to manage stress. Develop nutritional and physical routines. Develop a 3-year plan for healthy lifestyle. |
Limitations | Does not treat the problem | Expensive, time-consuming, invasive and does not treat the problem | Does not treat the problem | Medications that do not treat the problem | Medications that DO treat the problem |
Cost | $$ | $$$ | $ | $ | $$ |
Efficacy | N/A - not treatment | Poor (16%-40%) | Poor (4%-8%) | Poor compliance | Excellent (Avg. 83%) |
If you believe someone you know would benefit from Go Sober’s medical approach to alcohol treatment, we encourage you to invite them to review our website. If our approach resonates with them, then your conversation can be focused on information, rather than emotions. Ultimately, we would be happy to meet with either or both of you to explain the different approaches and typical outcomes. We offer free, private, virtual consultations with no strings attached. Schedule a consultation to speak with an alcohol specialist and learn how we can help your loved one.
If the subject of alcohol treatment is too uncomfortable for you to initiate, we understand. Here are some points to keep in mind that might help you:
- Their addiction is not a failure of their character, determination, or willpower.
- There is a valid, scientific explanation for why people struggle to quit drinking.
- Go Sober is an evidence-based, medical treatment option that combines medications, neuroscience, lifestyle, and behavioral science.
- Even though it may be hard for them to believe it, life can truly be enjoyable again without thinking about alcohol.
Please schedule a free consultation with one of our addiction specialists. We understand that your loved one may not be ready to join you, and that is okay. We are happy to meet with you alone. Alcohol use disorder is a terrible condition and we want to provide you with the tools you need to help free your loved one from its stranglehold so they can reset their life and rediscover their passions, joys, and fun. We’re here for both of you, so contact us today to see how we can help.
