Drink with the alcoholic -you may end up with a drinking problem yourself. Accept unrealistic promises. Alcoholism is not a failure of willpower. Most people need some sort of help to quit their drinking and the only way to handle the disease is to stop drinking. O nce someone accepts and seeks help for a drinking problem, the results may be slow.
Recovery is difficult and as a family member, it is important to be supportive and patient.
Family problems do not disappear overnight, once the drinking stops. There has been a lot of pain and chaos in the family for a long time and the family may need therapy and support through programs like Al-Anon. Relapses can occur as in any illness. This does not mean the person has failed. Try to be patient and supportive and remember that recovery is a process.