40%
of our calls come from family members, not the person struggling
Every Day
we help families figure out their next step
Free Consultation
to call and talk through your situation
You’re not alone. Parents, spouses, siblings, and friends call us every day, asking the same question: “How do I help someone who struggles with drinking?”
There’s no easy answer. But there are things that work and things that don’t. We can help you figure out which is which.
It's not always obvious. Some people maintain jobs and responsibilities while drinking heavily. But these patterns don't lie.
Behavioral Changes | Physical Signs |
|---|---|
 Drinking alone or hiding alcoholBottles in strange places. Drinking before events. Sneaking drinks when they think no one is watching. | Needing a drink to feel “normal”Shaky hands in the morning. Irritable until that first drink. Can’t relax without it. |
Making excuses to drink“It’s been a long day.” “I’m celebrating.” “Everyone drinks at these things.” Always a reason. | Drinking more to get the same effectTolerance builds. What used to be two drinks is now six. A bottle of wine is “nothing.” |
Getting defensive when you bring it upAnger, denial, turning it around on you. “You’re the one with the problem.” | Blackouts or memory gaps“I don’t remember saying that.” Missing chunks of the night. This is a serious warning sign. |
Broken promises about cutting back“I’ll only have two.” “I’m taking a break after this weekend.” Never sticks. | Physical symptoms when not drinkingSweating, anxiety, tremors, nausea. These are signs of withdrawal. |
DUI, accidents, or close callsDriving when they shouldn’t have. Near-misses. Legal trouble. These are wake-up calls that often get ignored. | Smell of alcohol at odd timesBreath mints, mouthwash, perfume to cover it up. Drinking in the morning or during work hours. |
Important: Alcohol Withdrawal Can Be DangerousYou've probably already tried. Maybe it didn't go well. Here's what tends to work better.
Pick a calm moment
Find a quiet time when you're both clear-headed and can have a real conversation.
Lead with concern, not accusations
"I'm worried about you" works better than "You have a problem.”
Be specific about what you've noticed
"You've missed three family dinners" is harder to deny than "You're never around."
Listen more than you talk
They may open up if they don't feel attacked. Let them speak.
Have options ready
"I found a place that can help. Can I show you?" If they're not ready to stop, that's okay too, exploring options is a good first step.
Ultimatums you can't follow through on
"If you don't stop, I'm leaving" only works if you're prepared to follow through. Empty threats can make things worse.
Shame and guilt
"Look what you're doing to this family" adds to shame they already feel. People don't get sober because they feel worse about themselves.
Comparing them to others
"Your brother never did this" or "Why can't you be normal?" doesn't motivate anyone.
Trying to control their drinking
Pouring out bottles, counting drinks, hiding alcohol. It doesn't work. They'll find a way. Recovery has to be their choice.
Expecting one conversation to fix it
This is a process. You might have this conversation five or ten times before anything changes. Don't give up after one try.
We talk to families every day. Call to talk through your situation.
This is hard to hear. Sometimes what feels like helping actually makes it easier for them to keep drinking.
The hardest thing to accept:
You can't control it. And you can't cure it. But you can be ready to help when they're ready to accept it.
This is the question we hear most. And the honest answer is: you can’t force someone to get help. But that doesn’t mean there’s nothing you can do.
We talk to families every day. We can help you explore options and educate you about what's available. Understanding your options is key.
Let them know help is available when they're ready. Plant the seed. Many people come back months later.
Set boundaries. Take care of your own health. You can't help them if you're falling apart.
A note about "rock bottom": You may have heard they need to hit rock bottom before they'll change. That's not always true. For some people, rock bottom is death. Don't wait. Keep the conversation going. Many people accept help before they lose everything.
So you can explain it to them. This isn't 28 days locked away somewhere. They can keep working. They can stay home.
They meet with a medical provider, talk about their drinking, and can start medication to reduce cravings that same day.
Medication quiets cravings so they can think clearly. Therapy helps them understand why they drink and build new habits.
Regular check-ins, adjustments as needed. They keep their job, stay with family, live their life.
Key point to share with them: This isn't 28 days locked away. The first appointment takes about 3 hours. After that, appointments are 45-60 minutes and fit into their schedule. They see a medical provider, go to therapy, and go home the same day. No one has to know.
Even if they're unsure what to do next. We can help you figure out next steps.
A daily pill that blocks the "reward" feeling from alcohol. Makes drinking feel pointless.
Individual and group counseling to understand triggers and build new coping skills.
Intensive therapy, 3 days/week. For people who need more support.
Regular appointments, flexible schedule. Treatment without leaving home.
Treated like a person, not a number
Medication to help reduce cravings
No lectures, no judgment
Support that continues even with setbacks
AA is optional, not required
So you can explain it to them and ease their fears about what to expect.
What Happens Call to schedule. You can do this for them. Same-day often available.
We'll verify insurance. We can do this with you, not just them.
They meet with a medical provider who specializes in alcohol addiction
They can start medication to reduce cravings that same day
They go home. Come back for follow-ups.
What to Tell Them "It's about 3 hours for the first visit"
"There's medication that can make cravings go away"
"We'll meet you where you are"
"No one is going to lecture you or make you go to AA"
"I can come with you if you want"
Loving someone with an addiction is exhausting. You're allowed to take care of yourself too. In fact, you have to.
Boundaries protect you and your wellbeing.
Al-Anon, Nar-Anon, or a counselor who understands addiction can help.
You can't control it. And you can't cure it alone.
Support groups for families of people struggling with alcohol. Free meetings nationwide, online and in person.
nar-anon.orgFree, confidential, 24/7 treatment referral and information service.
1-800-662-4357Call Symetria anytime. We can talk through your situation even if your loved one is unsure what to do next.
866-287-5921
Most insurance covers alcohol treatment. We can check coverage before they come in.
Note: We accept commercial insurance and Medicare at all locations. Coverage varies by plan. Self-pay is also available.
Yes. 40% of our calls come from family members. We can talk through your situation, explain treatment options, and help you figure out your next step. Even if they're unsure what changes they want to make.
No. AA works for some people, but it's not for everyone. We offer medication and therapy as alternatives. Some people do both. Some do neither. We'll help them find what works for them.
Willpower alone usually isn't enough. That's not weakness. Alcohol changes brain chemistry. Medication like Naltrexone can block cravings and make reducing use much easier. Many people who struggle to cut back or reduce use do well with medication.
It can be. If someone has been drinking heavily for a long time, quitting cold turkey can cause seizures. A medical provider can prescribe medication to make withdrawal safe. This is one of the reasons professional help matters.This information is for educational purposes only and should not replace consultation with a healthcare provider.
If they want you there, yes. Many people bring a family member to their first visit for support. We also offer family therapy as part of treatment to help provide support and education throughout treatment.
Only if they sign a release allowing us to share information with you. Treatment is confidential by law. We encourage family involvement, but the patient decides what to share.
