Alcoholism is real

A sickness, is a sickness, is a sickness.
-you can be under 25 and be an alcoholic
-you can drink once a year and still be an alcoholic
-if you blackout, that is too much alcohol for you

All below are just my thoughts and opinions. I am not the supreme authority on anything~~~

Just please don’t ignore someone who you see is in trouble. Reach out to them before it gets bad.

I know so many people who are dealing with their alcoholism. Many of them don’t want to recognize it as such, but it is. Most are functioning alcoholics. They work a job, pay their rent.

But, with some negative drinking habits/rituals I’ve seen: bad choices made, friends turn on friends, threats when you withhold alcohol from them, siblings hitting siblings, spousal abuse, and words that cut deep.

Alcoholism is a real disease, and we all need to help. As individuals. As a society.
…   …   …   …   …  

1. Recognize the behavior, in yourself and others.
Watch your own behaviors, patterns, quantity.
What is your relationship with alcohol?
(or certain types of alcohol)

Using drinks to do something
Some use drinks daily to relax/loosen up, not bad in moderation. Some end up dependant on alcohol to help feel a certain way/accomplish something.

Like needing a drink to:
-relax after work
-process a major stressor
-enjoy someone’s company
-enjoy being alone
-romance someone
-do a household chore
-have a conversation with someone

2. Avoid stigmatizing the person, the situation, or yourself.
Life happens. We love the people, but the situations we are in are not always ideal. I don’t beat around the bush about alcoholism, yet I don’t toss it in someone’s face. There’s a line to walk. I don’t daisy-chain mention other issues when finding solutions to working with alcoholism. That just doesn’t help. I just focus on one at a time.

3. Enable positive, non-harmful behavior.
People like choices. Have positive choices on hand for drinks, maybe less strong drinks. Maybe non-alcoholic drinks. Maybe “Try some of this (non-alcoholic drink), before you have some of that.” Maybe another activity that would require a change in venue/focus/mood. Who knows?

4. Make a plan
My plans involve non-aggressive behavior. “Hey, you are doing the thing where you drink a lot again.” Not yelling, or demanding. Just noticing. And I might pour a glass or two down the drain. That is just a glass or two less in someone’s body. That might get you shouted at or hit, but sometimes I do it to avoid people hitting rock bottom.

We love those in our life with this issue. And no one is all bad. You’ll find a plan and make it work.

Again, please don’t ignore someone who you see is in trouble. Reach out to them before it gets bad.