How to Help an Alcoholic on His First Day of Sobriety

Alcoholics are tempted to drink due to physical addiction and/or because heavy drinking has become a strong habit that is often linked to other behaviors they may need to avoid. Others can encourage alcoholics' efforts to stop drinking by helping them to seek effective support and make healthy lifestyle changes.

Instructions

Supporting Sobriety

• 1

  Alcoholics who have decided to abstain permanently from drinking find it emotionally, mentally and physically difficult to do so. Family members, friends, physicians or counselors cannot make alcoholics stop drinking but can follow some strategies to support them during their first day of sobriety.

• 2

  Stay Positive. Recovering alcoholics may be fighting cravings for alcohol and may be depressed, anxious, irritable, have trouble concentrating, be impatient or guilt-ridden. Stay upbeat and work to lift their spirits.

• 3

  Stay Busy. Alcoholics often drink on impulse. Even those who believe they are committed to quitting may give into a sudden urge to drink, especially when they are upset, lonely or bored. Staying occupied can help delay and ultimately derail the temptation to take a drink. Suggest and participate in activities that will distract recovering alcoholics from resorting to drinking to "pass the time."

• 4

  Seek Support. Many groups with years of experience helping alcoholics to recover, such as Alcoholics Anonymous, Helpguide.org and SMART Recovery, urge the newly sober to seek information and encouragement from support groups composed of fellow recovering alcoholics. These groups provide motivation and valuable "lessons learned" on how to avoid drinking.

• 5

  Change Routines. The best way to change one habit is to change other behaviors that, obviously or subtly, may be associated with it. This is why many recovering alcoholics avoid going to bars or socializing with former "drinking buddies." Replacing old, alcohol-related behavior with new routines will help distract alcoholics from thinking about or being tempted to resume drinking.

• 6

  Ponder, Don't be Pressured. Alcoholics who are pressured and frightened into avoiding alcohol are much more likely to relapse than are those who are encouraged to develop their own reasons for abstaining. An article in the American Family Physician journal explains, "Asking argumentative patients, 'Do you want to die from this?' may be perceived as a threat and can elicit more resistance and hostility. On the other hand, asking patients, 'How will you know that it's time to quit?' allows patients to be their 'own expert' and can help them begin a thought process that extends beyond the examination room. Well-phrased questions will leave patients pondering the answers that are right for them and will move them along the process of change."

• 7

  Develop Healthy Habits. Improving nutrition, exercising regularly and getting enough sleep---improving their daily quality of life---will help recovering alcoholics to feel better physically and realize how badly excessive drinking made them feel, look and perform. Spending increased time and effort on these priorities can also distract them from thinking about drinking by keeping them busy, improve mood and self-esteem and foster adoption of other positive lifestyle habits.