Find Recovery Editorial Team, Author at Find Recovery

4 Reasons Why Opioids Are Addictive

The US is going through what has been deemed an “opioid epidemic,” caused partly by the increased availability of legal and illegal opioids. Another critical factor is that opioids are simply naturally addictive for various reasons. This article will explore the way opioids work and how it makes them ripe for abuse, provide statistics about opioid abuse in the US, and give you four specific reasons why opioids can be highly addictive.

1. Opioids are designed to take advantage of nervous system chemistry

Opioids work by attaching to the natural opioid (Mu) receptors in our brains. Our body creates natural opioids (endogenous opioids), including endorphins and dynorphins. When secreted, these endogenous opioids make us feel pleasure and pain relief.

What exogenous (not produced by our bodies) opioids like morphine do is generate an exaggerated response in our opioid receptors, leading to powerful pain relief effects and euphoria.

While this can be extremely useful in controlled medical settings where experts make informed decisions based on the patient’s needs, it can easily lead to addiction in people who misuse them without supervision.

2. Opioids can cause dependence very quickly

Dependence and addiction are complex issues caused by factors such as past drug abuse, genetics, and more. Some people may experience intense euphoria when taking opioids, even when used as prescribed by their doctors, while others may not.

Experiencing euphoria from medical opioid use may be a warning sign that someone is vulnerable to opioid addiction. The exact number of days of opioid use necessary to cause dependence varies individually. Still, it may be as early as five days for opioid-naive people.

Taking opioids for longer increases the probability of becoming addicted within one and three years.

3. Opioids relieve intense pain

Some people become addicted to opioids initially prescribed for chronic pain.

Patients may misuse prescription opioids by taking them in ways other than recommended by their doctors, such as taking them at higher frequencies or in larger quantities. They may also take someone else’s prescription opioids or use them to get high rather than for pain relief.

It’s also possible to become addicted to them when taking them as prescribed if they’re vulnerable to opioid or drug addiction.

4. Opioid medications are sometimes overprescribed

A considerable amount of opioid prescriptions are handed to patients in the US every year. In 2015, about 92 million individuals in the US used prescription opioids.

Millions of Americans suffer pain and are often prescribed opioids to treat it. Due to their abuse potential, prescription drugs are often misused, and pain patients may become dependent on them. Sometimes, patients continue to use prescription opioids indefinitely with no intention of stopping or gradually reducing doses.

Despite the increase in opioid prescriptions since the 90s, pain reported by Americans has not decreased. Furthermore, the amount of opioids in morphine milligram equivalents (MME) prescribed per person is around three times higher than in 1999. MME measures how many opioids are available in a given place at a given time.

Opioid Statistics to Understand

Opioid abuse has skyrocketed in the 21st century, and opioids are by far the drugs associated with the most overdose deaths in the US. The following are some statistics related to opioid abuse in the US:

Around 3 million persons suffer from opioid addiction in the US.
In 2015, almost 92 million persons used prescription opioid medications in the US.
More than 106,000 persons died from drug-involved overdoses in 2021 in the US. Approximately 80,000 of those deaths involved opioids.
Every year, almost 10 million people misuse opioids in the US. It’s estimated that 3.8% of American adults abuse opioids each year.

Opioid misuse is a severe public health issue in the US and continues to increase yearly. Informing yourself about the risks of opioid abuse is the first to avoid it.

Opioids can be helpful but also risky

Opioids can be beneficial in treating chronic pain under controlled medical settings, but their use is fundamentally risky due to their high potential for abuse and addiction.

If you or some you know misuses opioids, whether prescribed or illegal, seek help. Opioids get a firm hold of your nervous system and are nearly impossible to leave alone. Seek treatment from addiction professionals to have a better chance of recovering and laying the foundation for a sober rest of your life.

Do Your Friends Support Your Recovery Journey?

Science has proven that having friendships in recovery can have major benefits for recovery. Support networks provide motivation and all-important accountability, which have been shown to significantly decrease the odds of relapse and increase overall recovery success.

That said, achieving this supportive friend group isn’t always easy.

Many who come home after rehab find that those close to them may resist the idea of their new sober selves, especially if these were people that a recovered person used to cavort with when doing their drug of choice. In these instances, it’s best to ditch your toxic, unsupportive old friends and find a new tribe of like-minded people who respect your new lifestyle and will support you in upholding it–here’s how to do just that.

How to ditch unsupportive friends and cut ties

When it comes to friendships, especially for a person who’s newly sober, you want quality over quantity. It’s better to have few or no friends than to be surrounded by bad ones that don’t support your sober lifestyle. These are the “friends” that urge you to resume your old ways, scoff and belittle your attempts to better yourself, or continue to drink or use drugs around you. These individuals will actively hinder your progress and lead you to relapse.

Even if your old friends aren’t actively deterring your progress, there’s still a strong chance they’ll keep you anchored to your previous not-so-great way of life. Addiction and cravings are strongly tied to memories. If you’re hanging out with the same people or in the same places, it becomes harder to distance yourself from your old ways.

There’s no one right way to cut ties. If you feel inclined, you can let them know you’ll be stepping back in order to focus on yourself and your recovery — though they’re invited to stick around if they’ll be supportive. If the relationship is highly toxic, it might just be best to ghost them entirely without a formal farewell.

Finding a new friend group

First, what not to do. At least in the beginning, steer clear of places where you know people are dealing or using drugs like nightclubs and bars. For the best odds of success, put yourself in the mindset of a person who’s already sober and stable. Where do they hang out? What hobbies do they have?

Apps, video chats, and social media have made it easier than ever to connect with others and find highly specific communities. There are plenty of events and resources dedicated to sobriety and recovery communities, and finding them is as easy as a quick search on your phone. Here are a few ways to find your people:

Follow sober social media accounts

There are lots of accounts dedicated to recovery content–some funny, some uplifting. Whatever you’re looking for, you’ll feel comforted seeing their mass of millions of followers and know that you’re far from alone in your journey. Want to connect with people one on one? Create an account on recovery-exclusive communities like Sober Grid, which is like Facebook and Snapchat combined, but a platform dedicated to those recovering from addiction.

Take a workout class

If you’re looking to expand your circle beyond people who are sober or in recovery but who are likely to uphold similar values to your new lifestyle, fitness classes are a great place to look. These are people who are (at least somewhat) committed to being healthy and likely to be very understanding of your drug-free ways. Bonus, you’ll also get a workout buddy!

Volunteer

If you’re looking to surround yourself with upstanding people, joining others with a desire to give back to the community is a sure bet. Here you’ll find people with compassion and patience who are sure to be super supportive in your recovery journey.

Keep in touch with your treatment facility

Graduation from rehab doesn’t have to mark the end of your relationship with the professionals and clinicians who care about you. Odds are, your facility has an alumni program that regularly hosts events and other gatherings that allow you to either meet other graduates or those who are still in treatment. Either way, it’s a guaranteed place to find your peers without the burden of you having to initiate the first move.

Join a 12-Step group

Whether it’s Alcoholics Anonymous, Narcotics Anonymous, Dual Diagnosis Anonymous, or any of the many other peer-based support groups, attending a meeting is a very low-stakes way to meet others who are in recovery. These groups are host to people in various stages of recovery (including those who have yet to begin), which could be beneficial for you, giving you a glimpse of how far you’ve already come as well as a peek into what success looks like.

Smart Phone Apps To Guide You Through Recovery

Addiction, and addiction recovery, can sometimes be a lonely experience. Digital apps are helping to close that gap, providing a sense of community, a source of accountability, and support on virtually every aspect of recovery. But there are hundreds of apps out there — where do you start? Whatever you’re looking for in your journey, here are 9 of the best smartphone apps for recovery,

9 Must-Have Mobile Apps for Addiction Recovery

Most addiction recovery apps fall into these general categories, and many offer more than one feature:

12 Steps resources
Directories
Habit or sobriety tracker
Information
Peer support
Relapse prevention assistance

The apps we selected are all free mobile apps, though some may require in-app purchases to unlock the full features.

12-Step Meditation Daily Reflections for AA, NA, Al-Anon

A great option for members of 12 Step groups. This app makes it easy (and pleasant) to work the Twelve Steps outside of group meetings. There are hundreds of guided meditations, soothing music and sounds, and audio recordings of the twelve steps and prayers that you can layer to create personalized audio tracks. You can also make a playlist with all your creations, making it the perfect app when you’re traveling or just need to create a calm, quiet space for yourself.

AA Big Book Free — For Alcoholics Anonymous

An essential app for anyone involved in AA. This app is chock full of useful features with full access to the Big Book and the ability to make notes, mark passages, and search the text. It also has AA prayers, podcasts, a meeting finder and a sobriety tracker.

I Am Sober

There’s no shortage of sobriety trackers apps out there, which I Am Sober is. Besides being one of the most user friendly apps and thorough (it counts sobriety down to the second), our favorite standout feature is that the tracker also tells you how much money you’ve saved since quitting drinking. The practical nature of this side function makes it a great form of positive reinforcement when motivation is running low.

I Am

I Am allows users to customize their phones with aesthetic and soothing images paired with positive affirmations. You can also have pretty and empowering messages delivered as push notifications throughout the day. While not specifically an addiction treatment app, a big part of treatment is undoing the negative thought patterns. This does that in a user-friendly way while being cute to boot.

Recovery Path: Addiction Recovery & Addiction Help

This app does it all, offering CBT-based motivations and reminders, posting abilities, and even a directory. What we love most is the related support app for loved ones and even clinicians, providing a rounded-out community that offers encouragement and accountability in all forms.

Sober Grid

Imagine a Facebook that was exclusively for people who are sober or in recovery. Well no need to imagine, it exists! Sober Grid is a full-fledged social networking app that allows you to make posts, connect with others, and message people. Joining is completely free, and so is the app! It also features 24/7 live coaching available, making this one of the best apps for finding social support.

SoberTool

This app is backed by science, as it was created by a licensed counselor. It offers the usual features you’d expect in a recovery app, but what makes it stand out is its craving analyzer which helps you recognize and work through triggers when they strike. There’s also a built-in community forum feature where you can speak to other people who are in recovery.

Nomo — Sobriety Clocks

Nomo keeps things simple, making it the perfect recovery app for people who want no-frills recovery support. It’s a sobriety tracker that lets you set as many clocks as you want, allowing you to celebrate both big and small addiction recovery milestones. Plus, collect virtual chips when you do! Nomo also has minigames to serve as a distraction when cravings strike.

WEconnect

Spoke to your sponsor recently? Went to an AA meeting? With WEconnect, you can earn gift cards and other tangible rewards for completing small and large tasks in your recovery program. This app can only be used by a person enrolled in a substance abuse treatment program at a facility that has partnered with the app — so this one isn’t for everyone. Those who are able to get an access code will find this a powerful complement to their recovery program that offers great incentives for creating good habits.

Did we miss your favorite apps for addiction recovery? Let us know in the comments! If you’re ready to go offline and get IRL support, find an AA meeting or NA meeting near you, today.

Al-Anon Vs. AA

Is there a difference between AA and Al-Anon? Yes! Despite the similarity of the organizations’ names (and the fact that they share the same acronym), Alcoholics Anonymous and Al-Anon are two distinct groups that offer support for individuals affected by alcoholism.

Key Differences Between Al-Anon and Alcoholics Anonymous

The two organizations are separate but related. Alcoholics Anonymous was founded in 1935 by Bill W; Al-Anon was founded in 1951 by Lois W.–the wife of AA’s founder, who recognized that alcoholism didn’t just affect the drinkers, but their families and loved ones as well.

In addition to their closely intertwined origins, both organizations share the same basic principles, including the 12 Steps, along with meeting and leadership formats, and the same commitment to confidentiality and judgment-free support. Still, there are several key differences between how these groups operate.

Membership

First and foremost, the main difference between Al-Anon and AA is the focus of the support. Alcoholics Anonymous is intended for the person dealing with alcohol addiction. Al-Anon is part of the family groups of AA (which includes Alateen) and is for the people who are affected by the addiction of a loved one.

In short. Alcoholics Anonymous is a support group for people who are recovering from alcohol addiction. Al-Anon is a support group for the friends and family members of people with a drinking problem.

Goals

In AA, individuals recovering from alcohol addiction are encouraged to admit their powerlessness over alcohol, turn their lives over to a higher power, and make amends to those they have harmed. The focus is on helping the individual achieve and maintain sobriety. One of the key differences between AA and Al-Anon is their focus.

Al-Anon, on the other hand, is a support group for friends and family members of alcoholics and focuses on helping loved ones cope with the impact of someone else’s addiction on their lives. This includes learning healthy ways to manage their emotions, emotions towards the person with alcoholism, and how to better support their loved ones.

Addressing Addiction

Another key difference between the two organizations is their approach to addressing addiction. AA encourages individuals to take responsibility for their actions and make amends to those they have harmed, while Al-Anon focuses on helping individuals understand that they are not responsible for the addiction of their loved one and that they cannot control the actions of the alcoholic.

AA also encourages individuals to find a higher power, a spiritual force that can help them overcome their addiction. Al-Anon encourages individuals to find a higher power too, but the organization does not promote any specific religion or spiritual belief.

Structure

In terms of structure, both AA and Al-Anon are self-supporting groups and do not charge for their services. Further, both organizations are autonomous without a central governing body that oversees their operations. Meetings are typically 45 minutes long and follow a similar format.

The one difference lies in AA and Al-Anon anonymity policies. AA encourages members to keep their involvement in the organization confidential, while Al-Anon allows members to share their involvement with others.

Chips & Tokens

AA chips are a well-known aspect of the organization as a way to celebrate members’ sobriety milestones. These tokens are not limited to AA and are used by both Al-Anon and Alateen, but celebrate different types of accomplishments.

Alcoholics Anonymous tokens are color-based, signifying a certain sobriety timeframe, ranging from 30 days, 90 days, 6 months, and over a year. Al-Anon and Alateen chips feature popular slogans and prayers from the organization (like the 3rd Step Prayer or the Serenity Prayer) and are given to celebrate member anniversaries. However, these traditions vary from region to region and not all groups use these physical tokens.

Find Alcoholism Recovery Resources

Whether you struggle with alcoholism or are a bystander who’s impacted by a loved one’s drinking addiction, there’s a support group for you.

Learn more about these 12-step-based support groups, how they work, and what to expect, by exploring our other articles. You’ll find guides for working each of the twelve steps and how to apply them to your own recovery journey.

Or, check out our directory to find an AA group or Al-Anon group near you. Search by city to find local group meetings and connect with others who have been in your shoes. Before attending a meeting, be sure to contact the group and inquire whether the meeting is open or closed. Closed meetings are restricted to current members, while open meetings welcome any and everyone, including newcomers.

Common Topics At Al-Anon Meeting

Al-Anon is a support group for friends and family members of individuals who struggle with alcohol addiction. The meetings provide a safe and confidential space for individuals to share their experiences, strength, and hope with others who understand what they are going through.

A Breakdown of Al-Anon Meeting Topics

Addiction is an all-encompassing disease, so naturally, there’s a very broad list of potential topics for discussion, ranging from managing family relationships to finding humor during hard times. Al-Anon meeting topics tend to fall under the following categories:

Understanding the nature of alcoholism

Members learn about the physical, emotional, and psychological effects of alcohol addiction and how it can impact relationships, finances, and overall well-being. This insight helps for better understanding and empathy with the loved one struggling with a drinking problem.

Coping with the impact of alcoholism

Providing support and guidance for the emotional pain, stress, and confusion that often accompanies loving someone who struggles with alcohol addiction is one of the main goals of the organization. Members learn how to take care of themselves, set healthy boundaries, and manage their emotions. They learn about the importance of self-care and self-compassion for the sake of themselves and the addicted person they want to support.

Finding hope and healing

Alcoholism hurts everyone around the drinker and can leave loved ones with feelings of anger, guilt, or hopelessness. Some topics offer messages of hope and healing for members who may have felt helpless and alone in their struggles. They learn that they are not alone in their experience and that there is a way forward.

Building healthy relationships

Al-Anon members will be encouraged to explore how alcoholism has affected their relationships and how they can build healthier ones in the future. They learn how to maintain healthy relationships with the person struggling with addiction without enabling them.

Taking responsibility

Although Al-Anon members are not responsible for the alcohol addiction of their loved ones, they can take accountability for their own actions and reactions. This means taking ownership over their behaviors that may have been enabling or triggering to their addicted loved one; or a guilt trip that can leave a person feeling more isolated than inspired to change.

Letting go and Living in the present

Al-Anon members learn that they cannot control the behavior of the person struggling with addiction, but they can control how they respond to it. They learn how to let go of the need to control and accept the things they cannot change. Al-Anon members learn to focus on the present moment and to let go of the past and the future. They learn how to live in the present and enjoy life despite the challenges that come with living with someone who struggles with addiction.

Spirituality

Al-Anon isn’t a religious organization but many members find that their spiritual beliefs can be a source of strength and support during the recovery process. Meetings may include discussions of spirituality and how it can be incorporated into recovery.

Types of Al-Anon Meetings

The topic discussed as an Al-Anon meeting is largely shaped by the type of meeting that’s being held. There are twelve different formats that meetings may rotate between. Meeting formats will also change how the discussions are conducted, and who’s allowed to attend.

Step Study – Study of the classic Twelve Steps. Typically covered once a month. Closely related are the Concepts and Principles meetings.

Traditions Study – The group studies one or more of the Al-Anon or Alateen Traditions, keeping in mind their value in maintaining the unity and growth of worldwide Al-Anon as well as of the group itself. Applying them to family relationships may offer new insight.

Slogans Study – Al-Anon involves many slogans. Members are invited to explain how they apply a particular one in their lives or how the slogan could be used to solve a specific problem.

Personal Stories – One or more members are asked in advance to speak at the meeting and tell how the Al-Anon program helped them find a new way of life.

Topic Discussion – The chairperson or leader presents a topic to help members share the principles of the program and discuss the subject as it applies to them.

Panel Discussion – Members are invited to write anonymous questions which are answered by the group or the chairperson.

Exchange Meeting – An individual or team of speakers from another Al-Anon/Alateen group may exchange speakers.

Open Meeting – Non-Al-Anon members may attend. This includes friends, A.A. members, students, and professionals are welcome.

Outside Speakers Meeting – May include A.A. members, a husband, wife, and child team, members of the clergy, doctors, social workers, or other professionals in the field of alcoholism.

Beginners Meeting – An introductory meeting may be held 30 to 45 minutes before the regular meeting to acquaint newcomers with the Al-Anon program

Group Inventory Meeting

These are some of the main topics that may be covered in Al-Anon meetings, but the focus may vary depending on the specific meeting and the needs of the group. The meetings provide a supportive, non-judgmental space for individuals to share their experiences, gain insight, and find hope and healing.

Ready to get started? Check out our directory to find in-person and virtual Al-Anon meetings near you.

How Compliments Can Complement Recovery

Everyone loves a good compliment. But can they contribute to our mental health during recovery? Can they motivate us to stay on track? Can they contribute to better physical health? This article will explore these and other questions and provide guidelines for complimenting someone recovering from addiction.

Why Compliments Are Important

Compliments show that words can be compelling. A well-placed and genuine compliment can make others feel good and make them want to be around you. These are some of the most essential benefits of compliments.

They increase confidence

One of the most immediate benefits of compliments is that they make the receiver feel good. Being told they have admirable qualities is a confidence boost that few other interactions provide.

They build trust between the giver and the receiver

Both giving and receiving compliments are vulnerable acts. The giver opens up their inner thoughts and feelings, and the receiver makes themselves vulnerable by allowing a personal comment.

They make us happy

A study found that when people spend money on others, they find it more gratifying than spending it on themselves. We are conditioned to derive happiness from benefiting others. Both the giver and receiver get a happiness boost from compliments.

They contribute to good mental and physical health

Lonely people are less resilient to stress and more often suffer from inflammatory disorders like obesity, high blood pressure, and others. By making people happier and improving trust, compliments actually make us healthier.

Compliments For Addiction Recovery

There are multiple compliments you can give someone recovering from addiction. Regardless of the specific compliment you give them, the most crucial consideration to make is that the compliments are authentic, genuine, and relevant to their recovery efforts.

Here are some examples:

I’m proud of the effort you’re putting in
You’re strong for making an effort to improve and recover
You’re on the right path
You’ve made so much progress
You’re making progress every day
Recovery is a process, and you’re making it happen every day
You’re capable of achieving your goal
You’ve been very strong a resilient
You can overcome the challenge of recovery
I trust your recovery decisions
You’ve been capable of getting out of your comfort zone for recovery
I’m proud of your commitment to sobriety
You’ve come so far in your recovery path
I can only imagine how hard it’s been, but you look so much happier since your recovery started

When you compliment someone recovering from addiction, emphasize their effort to improve their lives and stay sober. Focus on things they can control, like making positive choices for their lives and recovery.

Finally, remember to emphasize the results they’ve already achieved: how long they’ve been sober, the research they’ve made when they’ve had doubts and how it’s helped them, their consistency in attending therapy or taking their medications, and more.

Your words can significantly contribute to their mental and physical well-being. They can play a major role in helping them stay consistent in their recovery process.

How To Give A Good Compliment?

While there’s no specific guide to give a good compliment, there are some guidelines to consider; here are some of them:

Don’t underestimate their power. We often overestimate how awkward a compliment may come off and underestimate its positive effect on the receiver. If it’s true and comes from a genuine place, rest assured that they will appreciate it.
Be specific. Pay attention to the efforts your loved one makes for their recovery and compliment them on it. Generic compliments can be great, but it’s so much more meaningful when you can share the intimacy of appreciating each other for being grateful and observant.
Give them as frequently as your loved one feels comfortable with. This study suggests that some people have trouble receiving compliments because they have self-esteem issues. If the compliment they receive clashes with their ideas about themselves, they may not be flattered. Since mental illnesses can affect self-esteem, be sure to balance genuine compliments with a frequency your loved one appreciates. Giving too many can backfire, but giving too little may not work either. Find the balance.
Be sincere. This seems obvious, but we’ve mentioned it before. Still, your compliments should be something you feel deeply about and want to convey to your loved ones. If your loved one is making an honest effort to get better, it won’t be hard to find things to compliment them.

Mental Health Is Just As Important As Physical Health During Recovery

It’s easy to confuse addiction as a purely physical illness. In reality, it’s caused by a very complex combination of genetic and environmental factors. Contributing to your recovering loved one’s mental health is very kind and may encourage them to stay on their path.

Complimenting them sincerely and thoughtfully can be a great way to boost their mental health. Still, you must find a balance in the frequency: too many can be overwhelming, and too few can make them feel underappreciated.

Ultimately, you know them best and are in the best position to know what to say and when. Above all, be observant, patient, and compassionate.

Intervention Options for Alcoholism

Interventions are a great way to help people get started on the path to recovery from alcoholism. However, they are a serious process that can be emotionally draining and requires a lot of preparation. Interventions are performed when you feel like a loved one is heading for a dark path of addiction and want to step in before things get worse.

What is an intervention, and how do you know when to perform it? In this article, we’ll answer these questions.

What Is An Intervention?

An intervention is any effort to help someone struggling with addiction, whether with alcohol, drugs, or other issues. “Intervening” essentially means stepping in and preventing your loved one’s addictive tendencies from worsening, altering their life’s course for the better.

It can be a meeting or series of meetings in which you, and potentially other family members, try to convince them to seek treatment for their substance use disorder (SUD). In this case, alcoholism.

The goal of interventions is to get them into treatment for alcohol addiction and ensure they stay in treatment long enough for it to be effective. You don’t want to shame or scare them into sobriety but rather help them see how their drinking affects them and those around them.

Loved ones can hold an intervention anytime, but it’s most effective before things become too risky—no need to wait for something extreme to happen. If you feel like your loved one is sinking deeper and deeper into addiction, it may be time for an intervention.

Types of interventions

These are four common intervention options for alcoholism, along with information on what they entail, who they are best suited for, and whether professional help is required.

Personal Intervention

The simplest intervention method. It generally involves only the struggling alcoholic and a concerned family member. The concerned family member may or may not seek help from a professional interventionist and then will hold a relatively informal meeting with their loved one.

In the meeting, they will express their concern for how addiction is affecting the struggling alcoholic and the family as a whole.

Classic intervention

A classic intervention aims to direct your loved one into treatment by showing them they have a support system that cares about them. It involves confronting your loved one about their addiction and its impact on those around them.

In this process, family members, friends, and potential romantic partners come together to express their concerns about the damage their addiction causes. Usually, the group or a group member meets with a professional interventionist to prepare for the intervention. During the meeting, the group shares their concerns about their loved one’s addiction and asks for ways to encourage them to seek formal treatment.

The point of a classic intervention is to show the person that they have support in their family, even if they’ve been isolating themselves and avoiding confrontation.

Family intervention

This intervention involves only family members who want to help their loved one get sober. It’s the most common form of intervention for alcoholism.

It’s often part of a more extensive treatment program that includes other forms of therapy and family sessions, where everyone learns how to support their loved one once they leave rehab and start rebuilding their lives.

This kind of intervention helps families come together and support each other as they navigate recovery.

Crisis Intervention

Crisis interventions can help pull an addict out of a dangerous situation. Crisis interventions are reserved for extreme cases where your loved one’s addiction has progressed to the point of risking their life, such as an overdose or an accident while driving under the influence. The priority is to ensure their safety.

Once you have done that, you can begin addressing the larger addiction problem.

This intervention is unplanned, moves quickly, and requires a parent or friend to take direct care of the addict for at least some time to guarantee safety. Once they’ve been cared for and the immediate danger passes, the family may direct them toward the appropriate recovery resources.

What Type Of Intervention Does Your Loved One Need?

The type you choose will depend on many factors, including:

The severity of their addiction.
How long they’ve been abusing alcohol.
The relationship between your loved one and yourself (if you’re not very close, then a formal intervention is likely, not appropriate).

Whether you’re intervening for a friend or a family member, it is essential to remember that forcing them into getting help will likely make things worse. Only they can decide if they want to get better, so make sure you are willing to accept their decision before proceeding further.

Signs It May Be Time For An Intervention

These are tell-tale signs that it may be time for an intervention.

Alcohol Use Is Excessive And Uncontrollable

Your loved one frequently drinks at unusual times, such as first thing in the morning.
Their alcohol consumption affects their performance at work, their behavior during family gatherings, or they drink at risky times, like when driving.
They can’t stop drinking once they have started.
They’ve failed to reduce alcohol intake before.

They Suffer Alcohol-Related Health Issues

Alcoholism causes many health issues, such as hypertension, heart and liver disease, stroke, and digestive problems. Other, more immediate effects of alcoholism include the following:

They get sick more often (alcohol weakens your immune system).
Their cognitive abilities weaken, leading to poor professional and school performance.
Drowsiness, vomiting, diarrhea, and frequent upset stomachs.
Headaches.
Slurred speech.
Perception, awareness, and coordination issues.
Hearing and vision issues.
Breathing difficulties.
Blackouts from excessive drinking.

Their Drinking Harms Them And Others

If they frequently engage in risky behavior, such as driving under the influence, having unprotected sexual encounters, or starting physical altercations, these are signs that their alcohol abuse is getting out of hand.

Talking To Them Hasn’t Worked So Far

If passing conversations about their excessive alcohol use haven’t worked so far, it may be time to plan and intervene.

How To Stage An Intervention For An Alcoholic?

Interventions can be highly effective for getting someone into treatment, but they’re also intimidating. The following is a general outline of how interventions could go:

Start sharing your concerns more seriously: start telling them firmly but compassionately that their alcoholism concerns you. Tell them the signs of alcoholism you’ve noticed and try to have open conversations about how they feel about it.
Enroll the help of people who they love and respect: if you think the situation merits having a big meeting or getting other loved ones to express their concerns, too, you can try to enroll their help for the upcoming intervention.
Intervene: it may be a good idea to prepare yourself ahead of time by scripting at least some of the essential points. The main message you need to send is that you’re deeply concerned for their well-being. The time and place depend on many factors, but it should be somewhere comfortable where they don’t feel cornered. Not a public spot.
If nothing else works, give them an ultimatum: it’s never easy, but it may be necessary. They need to know that you will not continue to support them unless they agree to enter treatment. The goal is that they find the lack of support overwhelming and give in to treatment. Treatment doesn’t have to be entirely voluntary to be effective.
Seek professional help: explore treatment alternatives near you and pick the one that best suits your loved one’s needs.

Treatment Options For Alcoholism

Medication-assisted treatment (MAT)

MAT is the combination of medications and behavioral therapies to provide a complete treatment approach for any substance use disorder. Your loved one may use FDA-approved medications for alcoholism, such as disulfiram, naltrexone, and acamprosate.

Detoxification (“detox”)

Detoxing is the process of eliminating toxins left in the body by excessive alcohol use. It’s usually the first step. One of its main benefits is that your loved one will receive treatment from professionals who know how to manage the inevitable withdrawal when they stop drinking.

Detox often involves medicine use, medical monitoring, and counseling.

Behavioral Therapies

Behavioral therapies help recovering alcoholics develop skills and attitudes that help them avoid addiction by directing them toward healthier lifestyles. The most common behavioral therapies include cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) and multidimensional family therapy (MDFT).

Support Groups

Drug and alcohol support groups provide nonprofessional assistance for individuals with similar conditions seeking long-term recovery from substance abuse. Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) is the most popular and widespread support group for alcoholism.

Integrated into a complete recovery program, support groups can positively impact your loved one’s recovery.

Find Help For Loved Ones Struggling With Alcoholism

If you’re worried about alcoholism affecting the life of someone you love, intervening may be an excellent way to help them get better.

The process will be complicated and unpleasant, but if you can make them see that they have a problem, they may choose to seek treatment and take the first steps toward a healthier, more fulfilling life.

The Dangers Of Alcoholic Ketoacidosis

Alcoholic ketoacidosis is a somewhat common condition among individuals recovering from alcohol abuse. The condition, which causes unpleasant symptoms such as nausea and vomiting, is most often seen among people who abruptly stop drinking. Although, for the most part, this is a passing cluster of symptoms, alcoholic ketoacidosis can pose great danger for certain individuals if not appropriately addressed. Let’s explore everything we know about this complication.

What Is Alcoholic Ketoacidosis?

Alcoholic ketoacidosis, alcoholic ketosis, alcoholic acidosis, or AKA, is a condition some people struggling with alcoholism experience, but non-alcoholics may also suffer it when binge drinking. AKA is rare in non-alcoholics, however.

It’s most common in alcoholics between 20 and 60 years old but can affect people of all ages, alcoholics or not. It causes nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, tachycardia, tachypnea, dehydration, and agitation.

It’s unclear how common it is, but one study on 1,500 alcoholic Japanese men determined that 34% suffered from it within 14 days of their last drink. Another study estimates that less than 10% of alcoholics will experience AKA.

What Causes Alcoholic Ketoacidosis?

AKA is most common in people struggling with alcoholism who also suffer from liver disease and stop drinking suddenly. Dehydrated people who haven’t eaten in 1-3 days are also vulnerable to AKA. The dehydration may be caused by vomiting from excessive drinking and lack of food.

Other alcohol withdrawal symptoms may also prevent you from eating, which may lead to malnourishment. As a result, your body may start producing ketones to preserve energy. Ketones are chemicals your body defaults to when you’re not getting enough nutrients from food.

Your body will eventually produce excess ketones if you haven’t eaten much due to excessive drinking. Excess ketones increase acidic levels in your body and can lead to severe metabolic acidosis, which may lead to potentially lethal conditions.

How Fast Can Alcoholic Ketoacidosis Develop?

The time it takes to appear after the last drinking binge varies depending on how malnourished you are, the amount of alcohol taken, and your overall health status. It can appear as soon as one day after the last drink.

Can Alcoholic Ketoacidosis Be Fatal?

If not treated in time, AKA can lead to potentially deadly complications related to an irregular heartbeat. Elevated beta-hydroxybutyric acid, alcohol withdrawal symptoms, and gastrointestinal bleeding associated with AKA may also lead to death.

Common Symptoms Of Alcoholic Ketoacidosis

One of the most significant issues with AKA is that its symptoms can overlap with other conditions, such as diabetic ketoacidosis, uremia, and even methanol poisoning. Symptoms can include:

Abdominal pain
Nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea
Low blood pressure
Rapid or irregular heartbeat
Rapid breathing and short breath
Severe dehydration
Altered mental state

In addition, AKA can lead to complications such as:

Gastrointestinal bleeding
Psychosis
Coma
Pancreatitis
Pneumonia
Encephalopathy

Treatment For Alcoholic Ketoacidosis

If you suffer from alcoholic ketoacidosis symptoms, you must go to an emergency room as soon as possible. Doctors and nurses will monitor vital signs like heart rate, blood pressure, and breathing patterns. They may also monitor electrolytes to re-establish healthy values.

The priority will be to prevent alcohol withdrawal, get you hydrated again via intravenous fluids, and provide nutritional support with thiamine, potassium, phosphorus, and magnesium. You may also receive intravenous benzodiazepines if you’re likely to suffer seizures from alcohol withdrawal.

If doctors determine that you need ongoing care, they may move you to the ICU. Complications may occur, but they happen in less than 20% of cases. Long-term recovery from AKA improves if you also recover from alcoholism after suffering from it.

The length of your stay depends on the severity of your case, how long it takes to get your body regulated again, and whether you suffer complications.

Find Treatment For Alcoholism

If you or someone you know is dealing with alcohol abuse, you must seek help. The most common treatments for alcoholism include:

Inpatient or residential treatment: Inpatient treatment involves staying at a rehab facility for several days, or even weeks or months, where care is available to you at all times. It provides a higher level of support and structure but also the highest investment of time by people struggling with addiction. If you are dedicated to getting sober and surrounded by professionals who want the best for you, inpatient treatment can change your life.
Outpatient treatment: This type of treatment is less time and energy-intensive than inpatient treatment and may be prescribed after a period of inpatient treatment. The premise for these programs, as well as the care provided and activities performed (like behavioral therapy), are similar to inpatient programs. However, you can spend the nights at home, study, and even work, attending sessions in the time available.
Partial hospitalization programs: Also less intensive than inpatient programs but slightly more intensive than outpatient programs. You still spend the night in the facility’s premises and engage in daily activities, but you can spend more time outside the premises during the evenings and weekends.

The treatment you receive depends on your specific needs and the severity of your case. Regardless of the exact program you go through, what’s important is that it will give you the tools you need to overcome addiction and avoid conditions such as alcoholic ketoacidosis.

What To Do If An Alcoholic Refuses Treatment

How do you help an alcoholic who doesn’t want help? That’s a challenge that many face when their loved ones succumb to alcoholism. It’s a challenging situation for everyone involved. Still, there are several things you can do to provide a positive environment that encourages seeking help.

7 Ways To Help An Alcoholic Who Refuses Help

If you’ve ever tried to help someone who is an alcoholic and they just won’t listen to what you have to say, then you might feel like giving up. Even those closest to the person suffering from alcoholism can’t get through. That said, you can still do things to help the alcoholic in your life. Below are seven approaches I’ve found beneficial when attempting to help a loved one who suffers from addiction.

1. Educate Yourself

When you speak with your struggling loved one, they should feel like you have some basis for what you’re saying. Your comments shouldn’t come off as ignorant or lacking in confidence.

The very first thing you should explore is the nature of addiction. Explore reliable sources explaining that addiction is not exactly a “choice,” as many believe. It’s a complex mental illness influenced by various factors like genes, exposure to alcoholism from a young age, social environment, and more.

Awareness of what alcoholism and addiction are in general will help you approach the conversation from a place of compassion and love.

2. Be Patient And Empathetic

As we mentioned above, love and empathy should be the primary emotions you transmit to a loved one who refuses to get help. Despite their denial, they are at least partially aware of how alcoholism affects their life and the life of their loved ones like you.

It’s important not to add to their feelings of shame, which may compound every time they relapse or can’t stay sober for long. To avoid making them feel further ashamed and embarrassed, try to make them feel heard and loved. You can try the following:

Intently listen when they speak – don’t interrupt them
Be curious about their feelings
Avoid judging them harshly for bad behavior
Imagine how they feel before giving your opinion
Talk about how their actions make you feel

3. Don’t Be Controlling

Alcoholism is not a rational act that people can be talked out of. If it were that easy, far fewer people would be recovering alcoholics. Instead, it’s a complex illness that drives people to consume something that clouds their judgment.

Unfortunately, the decision to seek treatment and make an effort to get better must come from your loved one.

Trying to manage and control their behavior will not yield positive results. What you can do is provide support and a positive environment where they can safely decide to get help.

4. Don’t Start Arguments Or Lectures

Similar to the last point: recovering alcoholics are not being logical. As a result, lecturing them on how their actions are wrong would likely make them feel isolated and ashamed, which is the last thing you want to encourage.

It may also be hard to balance “don’t lecture them” with “don’t enable them by not pointing out any negative behavior.” There’s a middle ground where you are not starting unneeded arguments but also holding them accountable for their behavior when needed.

5. Don’t Enable Their Alcoholism

Being supportive doesn’t mean you have to let them engage in negative behavior that only deepens their addiction – basically enabling them. These are the common signs you are enabling an alcoholic:

Ignoring or downplaying the seriousness of their addiction
Covering up their behavior
Taking over their responsibilities, which they neglect due to their alcoholism
Financing them when you know they’ll use them to buy alcohol

To stop enabling them, consider the following:

Set clear boundaries for appropriate and inappropriate behaviors
Be ready to support them when they take steps to recover
Don’t make excuses for their behaviors, cover up their behaviors, or take over for the responsibilities they neglect
Don’t shield them from the personal or legal consequences of their actions

6. Stage an Intervention

Perhaps the most powerful tool you have to help an alcoholic who refuses treatment is an intervention. Ideally, you should consider speaking with an addiction specialist or an interventionist to help you arrange the meeting.

During an intervention, close friends and family members come together to express their worries about someone’s substance abuse. During this meeting, the idea is to get the person to agree to seek some form of treatment, whether checking into rehab, attending AA meetings, or speaking with a therapist.

7. Consider Legal Actions

As a last resource, you can consider legal actions. Family members can sometimes seek legal action, particularly for under-aged individuals. Many parents can force minor children (under 18) to check into rehab. Some states also have laws that allow involuntary commitment after the age of 18. While forcing someone into rehab isn’t always effective, in some cases, it might be the push someone needs to get help.

Helping a Loved One Who Refuses Treatment

When a loved one refuses help for their alcoholism, it’ll always be challenging for everyone involved.

Only they can ultimately decide to get help, and it’s challenging to feel impotent on the sidelines. What we can do is create an environment that encourages seeking help by being empathetic but not going so far as to enable their behavior.

Over time, they may conclude that they need help. And when that moment comes, you’ll be there to support them.

12 Principles of Al-Anon

While both Alcoholics Anonymous and Al-Anon are based on the 12-step recovery model and share many other similarities, the 12 principles of Al-Anon are different from the 12 principles of Alcoholics Anonymous (AA).

Alcoholics Anonymous principles are designed to help individuals struggling with alcohol addiction find recovery and healing. These principles outline the steps that individuals can take to address their addiction, including admitting powerlessness over alcohol, seeking help and guidance from a higher power, and making amends to those they have harmed.

The 12 Principles of Al-Anon, on the other hand, are designed to help the loved ones of alcoholics find peace and healing in the face of their loved one’s addiction. They also provide a framework for addressing the negative patterns and behaviors that often arise in relationships with alcoholics, and offer guidance on how to find support and strength in the face of these challenges.

What are the 12 Principles of Al-Anon and what do they mean?

Al-Anon and AA technically have identical principles that serve as the foundation of each respective organization. However, the key difference between them is how they are applied and put into practice for Al-Anon members.

For example, the principle of admitting powerlessness over the alcoholic’s behavior helps loved ones recognize that they cannot control or change the alcoholic’s actions and that their attempts to do so have likely only caused more pain and turmoil. By surrendering control and seeking support from a higher power or community, loved ones can begin to find peace and healing in their own lives and let go of the guilt or anger they may feel toward themselves or their loved ones.

We admitted we were powerless over alcohol—that our lives had become unmanageable.

Acknowledging that loved ones cannot control or change the alcoholic’s behavior and that attempts to do so have only caused chaos and distress in their lives.

Came to believe that a Power greater than ourselves could restore us to sanity.

In recognition that ultimately, the individual with the drinking problem is responsible for their actions (as well as changing them), friends and family members of this person relinquish both control and the idea that they as an individual can “fix” the alcoholic in their life.

Made a decision to turn our will and our lives over to the care of God as we understood Him.

The first and second principles mentally prepare us to surrender control. The third principle puts it into action and encourages Al-Anon members to trust a higher power to guide their loved one’s sobriety, as well as manage their own emotions.

Made a searching and fearless moral inventory of ourselves.

Loved ones must take an honest look at their own behavior and attitudes, and acknowledge any negative patterns that may be contributing to the alcoholic’s behavior. By being willing to change and grow, loved ones can create positive change in their own lives and in their relationships with the alcoholic.

Admitted to God, to ourselves, and to another human being the exact nature of our wrongs.

A loved one in Al-Anon may be an enabler racked with guilt, or perhaps in their frustration over the situation, take out their anger on an innocent family member. There are countless circumstances where even the loved ones of alcoholics may find themselves with wrongs they need to right. Confessing and owning up to those mistakes establishes accountability from others and will lead to changes in behavior.

Were entirely ready to have God remove all these defects of character.

Similar to that of the alcoholic in AA, the loved one in Al-Anon must be willing to let go of negative or harmful patterns and behaviors. Since they already admitted to a lack of control over the situation, they must then turn to a higher power to have them removed.

Humbly asked Him to remove our shortcomings.

This means recognizing that we cannot change or heal ourselves. Whatever this “higher power” is to the individual, this step is when we look to it with an earnest intention to be a better person.

Made a list of all persons we had harmed, and became willing to make amends to them all.

The principle of making amends to those we have harmed helps loved ones repair relationships and address any harm they may have caused to others. By taking responsibility for their actions and seeking to make things right, loved ones can find healing and reconciliation in their relationships.

Made direct amends to such people wherever possible, except when to do so would injure them or others.

This means taking action to make amends and repair relationships while also considering the well-being of others.

Continued to take personal inventory and when we were wrong promptly admitted it.

Being a supportive partner isn’t something that just happens overnight. Just as a person in recovery will have setbacks, so too can the supporting family members or friends. Ongoing self-reflection and willingness to correct those mistakes will maintain an atmosphere of forgiveness and encouragement.

Sought through prayer and meditation to improve our conscious contact with God as we understood Him, praying only for knowledge of His will for us and the power to carry that out.

The 11th principle highlights the importance of having the right mindset as you near the end of the program. Seeking a deeper connection with a higher power (and maintaining that desire for a deeper connection) will keep one mindful of their ultimate goal.

Having had a spiritual awakening as the result of these steps, we tried to carry this message to others, and to practice these principles in all our affairs.

Once a person has gone through all 12 principles of Al-Anon, the idea is to share the experience with other family and friends of those with Alcoholics and apply the principles of Al-Anon to all areas of our lives.

These principles focus on helping loved ones recognize their own powerlessness over their alcoholic’s behavior, seek support and guidance from a higher power, and take steps to change and grow in their own lives. Learn more and find an Al-Anon meeting near you today.