Opening up about your alcoholism can be uncomfortable and scary for many people. If you have a drinking problem, you might have tried to deny or hide it for many years. Recognizing that you have a problem is the first step towards healing. Once you’ve decided to open up about your drinking, you’ll need to prepare yourself for the conversation with your loved ones. Answer any questions that they have, even if they make you uncomfortable. And finally, ask for support. The reason that you decided to open up to them in the first place is probably because you want their support. Don’t be afraid to ask for help when you need it. A healthy support system can go a long way in helping you with your journey to sobriety.
Opening Up About Your Alcoholism: How to Have the Tough Conversation
Recognizing You Have a Problem
Opening up about your alcoholism means that you’ve recognized that you have a problem with drinking. This is the first and sometimes hardest step for many people. Many drinkers feel like they can quit whenever they choose. Or think that their drinking is not really causing any issues. However, once you admit that your drinking has turned into an addiction, you will be able to ask for help in the right way.
Preparing For the Conversation
Before opening up about your alcoholism with your loved ones, you should prepare yourself for the conversation. It’s best to choose a setting when you have plenty of time and will be alone. Don’t choose a crowded public area. Instead, find a quiet place and a time when nobody is rushing around. Let them know that you have something important that you’d like to discuss. Many find that actually rehearsing what they will say helps them at the moment when they get nervous.
Answer Questions
When opening up about your alcoholism, be prepared to answer tough questions. Your friends and family might have suspected that you have a drinking problem. On the other hand, some drinkers can hide their habits so well that it’s a shock to family and friends. They might wonder how long you’ve been drinking or if it has impacted your life. They might ask tough questions about your financials and how you afford your habit. Don’t brush aside their questions. Instead, answer them truthfully, even when it’s painful. Being open and honest with them will allow them to give you the support your need.
Ask for Support
Finally, when opening up about your alcoholism, don’t be afraid to ask for help. You probably finally decided to come clean about your drinking because you need help getting sober. If that’s the case, never be ashamed to ask for it out loud. Your friends and family want the best for you and want you to be able to live the life you want. They will likely be very supportive if you let them know how you need their support.
Opening up about your alcoholism is often the first milestone of recovery. It’s an important step in the twelve-step process for meetings like AA. Typically, it’s hard for people to even admit they have a problem. If you have already recognized that your drinking has gotten out of hand, you’re already making great strides towards sobriety. Calmly sit your loved ones down for a conversation in private and let them know what’s going on. Answer their questions, even if they are painful. And finally, ask them to support you and tell them how they can do that. Maybe they could refrain from drinking around you, or come to a meeting with you, or help you find a support group or rehab facility. Maybe you just need somebody to call if you’re feeling tempted to drink. However you’d like to be supported, your friends and family will want to help you.
