Confronting a loved one’s drinking behavior is not easy. In fact, it is one of the hardest things to do in life. There are some helpful tips that can make it easier. When dealing with a husband’s drinking behavior, there can be some ways to do it that won’t push him further away and that will encourage them to seek treatment.
When a Husband Drinks
When a husband drinks, that can be a difficult feeling. It may be that you have enabled the behavior to continue without realizing that has happened. This is not to say there is any way you can control his behavior, but you are now taking ownership of what you desire and need from him. With the right guidance, you are in a position to support him with addiction treatment. One of the keys to productive support of a loved one like a husband is to realize the sooner you bridge the gap toward treatment, the better off you are. An intervention is often the best way to confront the situation safely, with other people there for support.
Host an Intervention
Making the commitment to get sober and seeking treatment means being courageous. It may be time to consider an intervention. That is a process that involves a physician, drug, and alcohol counselor. During this time, you let your husband know how his addiction impacts you. Some of the things you’ll have to do are offer a treatment plan that is pre-arranged for him. He will need to know there are consequences to not going to rehab. In spite of consequences, you need to be prepared to carry them out if he does not follow through. Some other preparation notes to consider:
- Talk to him when he is sober and open to hearing from you
- Educate yourself and other family members with support groups
- Seek professional help if you are feeling unsafe around this person
- Do not take his drinking personally
- Keep up the family schedule as much as possible to keep things flowing normally
To get a husband to treatment and back is no small feat. once your husband agrees to treatment, the work begins. As you work through this new way of life, you may experience feelings of resentment, sadness, and anger. This is normal and okay. Remember to be kind to yourself and don’t pass judgment or blame. An important thing to do while your husband is in treatment is to ensure you take care of yourself and your family. Support your husband through treatment, go to family therapy, and be open to working on your own issues like enabling behaviors. With the right treatment, support, and aftercare services, there is the possibility of living a happy, healthy life for a long time to come.
The Guest House is based on a Therapeutic Communty model. We help people learn how to live free of addiction. The focus on community support means we have your back the whole time you are here and beyond. For whatever you need, we will provide space and therapy, and room for you to grow into your recovery. If you are ready to quit using drugs, give us a call. Call us to find out more: 855-483-7800.