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Alcohol problems: Helping someone get treatment
Information, education, and support often are needed before you can help someone stop drinking. The following resources can assist you in getting help for someone with an alcohol use problem or help you cope with living with or caring about someone who drinks.
- Al-Anon is a group that helps families and friends of alcoholics recover from the effects of living with the drinking problem of a relative or friend. Al-Anon has meetings all over the world.
- Alateen is a recovery program for young people affected by the drinking problem of a friend or relative. Alateen groups are sponsored by Al-Anon members.
- Your doctor, counselor, or other health professional can provide you with information and literature to assist you in helping someone with an alcohol use problem.
- Local or national alcohol treatment hotlines can direct you to local organizations that can assist you in helping someone with an alcohol use problem.
For more places to get help, see the Other Places to Get help section of the topic Alcohol Abuse and Dependence.
Test Your Knowledge
You may seek advice, education, and assistance from many sources to help someone with an alcohol use problem to receive treatment. These include Al-Anon, Alateen, your doctor, a counselor, a local hospital, or an alcohol treatment hotline.
TrueFamily and close friends need support, since they are often affected by the person's drinking. Organizations such as Al-Anon and Alateen, along with your doctor, hospital, counselor, other health professional, or alcohol treatment hotline, can assist you by providing information or leading you to appropriate treatment for the person who needs to stop drinking.
FalseFamily and close friends need support, since they are often affected by the person's drinking. Organizations such as Al-Anon and Alateen, along with your doctor, hospital, counselor, other health professional, or alcohol treatment hotline, can assist you by providing information or leading you to appropriate treatment for the person who needs to stop drinking.
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Why do I need to help a person who denies having a problem?
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Alcohol problems: Helping someone get treatment
| By: | Healthwise Staff | Last Revised: January 26, 2010 |
| Medical Review: | Kathleen Romito, MD - Family Medicine Peter Monti, PhD - Alcohol and Addiction | |
© 1995-2011 Healthwise, Incorporated. Healthwise, Healthwise for every health decision, and the Healthwise logo are trademarks of Healthwise, Incorporated. This information does not replace the advice of a doctor. Healthwise, Incorporated disclaims any warranty or liability for your use of this information. Your use of this information means that you agree to the Terms of Use. How this information was developed to help you make better health decisions.
