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Encourage your loved one to visit their primary care physician and be honest with the doctor about drinking habits. Friends and family members are likely to be more forthcoming than about the person's drinking habits, so request to tag along during the visit and, if prompted, offer your perspective to the doctor. An alcoholic may only be willing to tell their doctor part of the problem. Without all of the information, their doctor may have difficulty developing a treatment plan. When the doctor is able to see the full scope of your loved one's addiction, your loved one is more likely to receive the help they need. Tell your loved one something like, "I know this is hard for you, but I think it would be a great idea if you saw a doctor. I can join you and be your advocate in this situation." Doctors often assess for alcoholism using the CAGE acronym. CAGE stands for a series of questions that the doctor asks to see if alcohol is a problem. These questions include: C= Do you feel a need to cut down? A= Do you ever get angry from consuming alcohol? G= Do you have feelings of guilt after drinking? E= Do you need an eye opener in the AM? Your loved one's physician may perform tests to determine what damage the body has suffered as a result of the drinking. These can range from bloodwork to a psychological examination to imaging. After running the necessary tests, the doctor may also recommend treatment options, resources, and information about how to stop drinking. Once your loved one has seen a doctor it will be necessary to decide on a course of action for treatment. Help your loved one decide which alcohol treatment option is best for their case. The two types of treatment are generally inpatient or outpatient. Typically, inpatient detox involves staying at a facility and receiving treatment and support 24/7 for weeks or even months. Outpatient treatment is often available through hospitals, mental health clinics, and the like, and offer support and encouragement. Attendance requirements often vary. No matter which type of treatment your loved one chooses, detoxification generally lasts between 2 and 7 days. During this time, your loved one will be under the supervision of a healthcare team that is experienced with treating alcohol use disorder. In treatment, your loved one will take medication that minimizes withdrawal symptoms, receive education about alcohol treatment, and learn behavioral techniques to manage cravings. Understand that quitting alcohol isn't a quick fix. Battling cravings and addiction may be something your loved one has to do for their entire life. Your support is needed to help them stay clean. Suggest that your loved one attend a support group, undergo individual or group therapy, or take medications. A combination of these approaches may be required for your loved one to stay clean from alcohol for the long term. If you offer to take part in therapy, this can also be influential in your loved one's treatment. For example, if you are in a romantic relationship with the person undergoing detox, couple's therapy may be beneficial. Family therapy is a sensible choice for relatives of an alcoholic. Show your loved one just how committed you are by participating in the treatment process. Offer to stay with your friend or family member for a short time to help out with household responsibilities and to help them resist cravings for alcohol.
Suggest a visit to the doctor. Get your loved one to complete a physical exam and diagnostic tests. Support them through inpatient or outpatient detoxification. Identify long-term treatment options for alcoholism.