Dealing with substance abuse is a layered and difficult situation. It's incredibly hard to come to terms with having a problem with alcohol, in particular.
Drinking is everywhere. It's so immersed in our culture that a lot of the time, someone you know could have a drinking problem and you might not realize it. When you're the one with the problem, it can be a very isolating experience. It's hard to admit to yourself that you're struggling, let alone coming clean to those around you.
Yet if you are trying to get help for a drinking problem, talking to family and friends is an important part of that process. If you need help tackling that, you're far from alone. Here are some of the ways to navigate that uncomfortable situation and bring yourself a step closer to recovery.
Start With Self-Reflection
Before you head straight into talking to your family, you have to first check in with yourself. Take the time to think about how drinking is impacting your life and relationships, when it first began to feel problematic, and any other important notes you might want to share with your family. Consider this a bit of a roadmap to navigating that conversation.
Be Ready To Be Honest
You'll first have to be honest with yourself about what you're looking to get out of this conversation with your family. Are you asking for support throughout the process, or are you asking for more logistical help with accessing treatment? Think about what you would like your family to know, understand, and do throughout the process.
Also recognize that they will undoubtedly have questions and feelings about the matter that they may want to present. Being honest in these situations, even when it's uncomfortable, can bring you closer to a clean slate.
Give Them Insight Into What You've Been Going Through
Your family and friends may be best suited to help you if they know more about what's going on with you. A good way to start the conversation is by being up front about what it's about, then going into an explanation of how you came to this determination. Be honest about what drinking has meant to you, how you feel it's impacting your life, and how you'd like to change that.
Be Intentional About Wanting Help
Your family may not be able to understand the kind of support you need if you aren't very clear with them. You can explain different treatment options you've looked into and how that would impact everyone beyond yourself, as well as what it would do for you. If you haven't been able to make those determinations, you can ask for help doing that.
Admit Your Fears
Many people in this situation find themselves with doubts about going through recovery. Don't be afraid to share these fears with your family so that you can work through them. Chances are, they may have some fears as well. Getting things out in the open is an important step in the road to healing for all parties touched by addiction.
Own Your Mistakes, and Be Prepared To Apologize
Depending on your relationship with your addiction, your family and friends may have already been impacted by your actions while you were under the influence. If that's the case, owning up to it and apologizing is an important step in making things right. You don't have to go into rehashing details, but simply expressing regret and making a commitment to change can make a huge difference.
Make Considerations for Questions or Concerns Kids Might Have
Talking to kids about addiction is challenging. You have to find an age-appropriate manner to bring up the subject, what it means, and what happens next. Kids will have questions of their own that you've got to prepare for. Some families hesitate to include kids in these conversations, but it's important for your kids to see that adults can also make mistakes big and small.
Don't Be Afraid To Involve a Professional
Some families simply struggle to talk about big issues like addiction. Instead of beating yourself up about it or dissecting why that is, focus on what to do about it in this instance. You can consult a religious leader, addiction expert, or therapist to help navigate the conversation if you feel it necessary, and there's no shame in doing that.
