5 Ways to Help Someone with an Alcohol Addiction

Is your family member neglecting responsibilities, getting into financial difficulties, or mistreating you due to alcohol?

Alcohol abuse, also known as alcohol use disorder or alcohol dependence according to Health Direct, affects friends and family just as much as the person abusing the bottle. If you’re watching someone you care about drink every day, it is going to be as frustrating as it is heartbreaking, but how do you help them?

This article will talk about the five best ways to go about supporting a loved one with an addiction to drinking.

How to Help an Alcoholic

Witnessing your loved one drinking can trigger overwhelming feelings like shame, fear, self-blame, and anger, and in some cases, it is easier to ignore the problem. But in the long term, it will only bring more harm to you. How do you help them through this?

1. Recognise the signs of alcohol use disorder

Drinking is just part of a normal weekend for some. It’s socially acceptable to have a drink with a meal at a restaurant or on a Friday night with mates, so at first it’s difficult to know if someone you care about is crossing the line.

Consuming alcohol to cope with stress or as avoidance behaviour is a big sign that drinking is more than one night with mates.

• Do they binge drink or drink more than intended?
• Do they lie or try to cover up how much they are drinking?
• Do they black out and can’t remember what they said or did?
• Do they keep drinking when it’s causing issues in their relationship with you or others?
• Do they use alcohol to self-medicate a mental health problem like anxiety or depression?

If you do see these signs, learn all you can about alcohol abuse and addiction. Once you’ve researched all the different types of treatment options, you will be ready to talk to your loved one.

2. Talk to someone about their drinking

It isn’t easy to talk to someone about their drinking. You might worry they will become angry, defensive, or deny they have a problem. These are actually very common reactions. Their drinking is not going to improve on its own and is more likely to worsen unless you speak up.

However, although honesty and being open are important, always remember that you cannot control what the other person does. Ultimately, the choice is up to them to put down the drink and to make better life decisions.

Here is how to talk to an alcoholic:

• Pick a time when they aren’t drinking to have a conversation. Choose a place that is calm and private.
• Tell them how you feel in a caring way. Tell them you are concerned about their drinking level and how it affects you, your relationship, and the family (but remain compassionate and not judgmental)
• Encourage them to be open about why they are abusing alcohol. To stay sober, your loved one will need to address this (such as stress or childhood trauma)

Avoid taking negative reactions personally, don’t attempt to threaten, punish, or bribe, don’t cover up for them, and most importantly, never blame yourself for their behaviour. It is not your fault.

3. Encourage them to seek help

An alcohol problem cannot be overcome alone. Even if they don’t need a big medical intervention to withdraw safely, support, guidance, and new coping skills are necessary to cut back on their drinking or quit completely.

• Offer to come with them to doctors’ appointments, group meetings, or counselling sessions
• Sitting with them while they call a helpline for advice
• Make a solid plan with them, such as the changes they might make and how

Keep in mind that recovery isn’t a one-way street; it’s a process that requires time and patience. Someone who has been a heavy drinker will not become a brand-new person once sober. They face new challenges such as living without alcohol and tackling what led to their alcohol abuse to begin with. And with your support in their corner, they will get there.

What are some treatment options?

• A health check-in: A GP can gently assess drinking patterns, withdrawal symptoms, overall wellbeing, and any mental or physical health concerns, then guide your loved one toward the right next steps.
• Medication as added support: For some people, prescribed medications can help ease cravings and make the recovery journey feel more manageable.
• Peer support and connection: Groups like Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) offer a safe, understanding space to share experiences with others facing similar challenges. This sense of belonging can reduce isolation and help build confidence in staying alcohol-free.
• Therapy and counselling: Individual, group, or family sessions provide a supportive environment to explore what’s driving alcohol use, heal relationships, and learn healthier coping tools. Both in-person and online options are available.
• Residential care when needed: Short-term live-in programs (often 30–90 days) offer structured support, including detox, therapy, and medical care, giving someone space to focus fully on recovery.

Clear Day Consulting offers alcohol counselling in Sydney CBD for people with mild to severe alcohol use.

4. Support their recovery

Choose alcohol-free ways to spend time together, like going to the cinemas or shopping and having lunch. You can’t remove every drinking situation from their life, but you can create safe, comfortable moments by suggesting activities that don’t involve alcohol.

Acknowledge what they might be coping with. If alcohol became a response to stress, loneliness, boredom or worry, those feelings don’t disappear overnight. Encourage healthier outlets and let them know they don’t have to face those emotions alone.

Offer support without enabling. Compassion doesn’t mean protecting them from every consequence. Instead of taking over responsibilities or trying to “fix” things, help them stay accountable while preserving their dignity. 

Promote gentle, healthy ways to manage stress. Recovery and change can bring up big feelings. Activities like exercise, mindfulness, talking with trusted people, or simple relaxation routines can make the process feel more manageable.

5. Always take care of yourself first

Supporting a person with an alcohol problem is time-consuming and takes an emotional toll as well. For this reason, you need to always put your mental health first.

Do not face this on your own. Have people you can talk to honestly and openly about what you’re going through, such as a trusted friend or support group.

Don’t neglect your own needs, such as eating, sleeping, and overall wellbeing. Schedule time during your day to do something you love.

Set boundaries. There is only so much you can do, and you cannot monitor them around the clock or make decisions for them. You are not their therapist.

Supportive Alcohol Counselling in Sydney CBD

If alcohol misuse is starting to impact your relationships, wellbeing, or work, you are not alone. Many people across Australia face similar challenges, and reaching out is a strong first step. At Clear Day, we offer evidence-based alcohol counselling and controlled drinking programs designed to help you regain balance and move forward with confidence.

Clear Day Consulting counselling in Sydney includes counsellors, psychologists, and psychotherapists who are highly educated, trained, and professional people. We believe a personal approach that focuses on you and your needs is important.

Contact us by calling 0294200788 or sending through an online enquiry to learn more about our addiction counselling services.

Call to grab your free 20-minute chat. Clear Day Consulting has three offices throughout Sydney. We have an office in, Macquarie Street Sydney servicing the City and CBD, Crows Nest servicing Sydney’s Lower North Shore and offices in Glebe servicing Sydney’s South and Inner West.