Conclusion
Try to remember the following essential principles in your interactions with your
drinker:
- People need to make their own decisions – support but do not order, bully or beg.
- Never directly disagree with the person, but do not pretend that you agree with
them either (if you don’t).
- Ask questions, avoid statements!
- Try to highlight inconsistencies in the statements made in a way that does not
engender a feeling of resistance in the person you are trying to help.
- Roll with Resistance.
- Demonstrate empathy and concern – try to avoid outright sympathy or criticism.
- Don’t rush it – bide your time and wait for a spontaneous response.
- Accept that the drinker’s drinking is driven by subconscious influences, and is
beyond their direct control. The drinker is suffering from a disease of the central
nervous system called alcoholism.
- Allow the natural consequences of the drinking behaviour to occur – neither help
nor hinder.
- Try to avoid taking on the role of the professional helper.
Next page .. Other Ways Forward
Motivate Someone To Seek Help For Alcoholism index
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