{"id":114678,"date":"2022-07-12T05:33:49","date_gmt":"2022-07-12T00:03:49","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/centralrecorder.com\/the-four-signs-a-loved-one-is-battling-a-hidden-addiction-and-how-to-help\/"},"modified":"2022-07-12T05:34:03","modified_gmt":"2022-07-12T00:04:03","slug":"these-are-the-signs-that-a-loved-one-is-struggling-with-a-hidden-addiction-heres-how-you-can-help","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/centralrecorder.com\/these-are-the-signs-that-a-loved-one-is-struggling-with-a-hidden-addiction-heres-how-you-can-help\/","title":{"rendered":"These are the signs that a loved one is struggling with a hidden addiction. Here&#8217;s how you can help."},"content":{"rendered":"\n<div>\n<p>Being a caregiver for someone who is a heavy drinker can be difficult. You can help improve your health by encouraging them and their support. <\/p>\n<p>According to the NHS, addiction can be defined as &#8220;a state of mind that is not controlled by any other means.&#8221; \u201cnot having control over doing, taking or using something to the point where it could be harmful to you\u201d.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"article__media\">\n<div class=\"article__media-img-container open-gallery\" data-index=\"753893\"><a href=\"#\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" alt=\"By encouraging your loved ones to seek support, you can improve their health and your own\" height=\"640\" width=\"960\" class=\"lazyload\" src=\"https:\/\/www.thesun.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/NINTCHDBPICT000745821472-1.jpg\" data-credit=\"Getty\" data-img=\"https:\/\/www.thesun.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/NINTCHDBPICT000745821472-1.jpg?strip=all&amp;w=960\" bad-src=\"data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg xmlns=&quot;http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg&quot; viewBox=&quot;0 0 1.5 1&quot;%3E%3C\/svg%3E\" data- title=\"\"><\/a><\/p>\n<p><span class=\"article__gallery-count-value\">2<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\"article__media-caption\"><span class=\"article__media-span\">Encourage your loved ones and friends to seek help. This will improve your health as well as your own.<\/span><span class=\"article__credit\">Credit: Getty<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>It is possible to become addicted to gambling, drugs and alcohol. \u201cjust about anything\u201d. These are signs of addiction:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Feeling the need to drink or use drugs is a common feeling.<\/li>\n<li>Drinking or using drugs can lead to trouble.<\/li>\n<li>Others will notice that you drink or use drugs and may warn you.<\/li>\n<li>Problems are caused by your drinking and drug use.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Andrew Misell <a href=\"https:\/\/alcoholchange.org.uk\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Alcohol Change UK<\/a> has these tips on how to talk to them\u2009.\u2009.\u2009.\u2009<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"has-text-align-center\">READY, SET&#8230;<\/h2>\n<p>\u201cPLAN what you\u2019re going to say first,\u201d says Andrew. Talking in blind could cause you to be frustrated and upset, making it harder to have a meaningful conversation with your friend again.<\/p>\n<p>Take your time, and if you find it helpful to focus and be clear, note down.<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"has-text-align-center\">NO BLAME <\/h2>\n<figure class=\"article__media\">\n<div class=\"article__media-img-container open-gallery\" data-index=\"753894\"><a href=\"#\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" alt=\"&#039;Try not to criticise or blame&#039;, says Andrew\" height=\"617\" width=\"960\" class=\"lazyload\" src=\"https:\/\/www.thesun.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/NINTCHDBPICT000746020761.jpg\" data-credit=\"Getty\" data-img=\"https:\/\/www.thesun.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/NINTCHDBPICT000746020761.jpg?strip=all&amp;w=960\" bad-src=\"data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg xmlns=&quot;http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg&quot; viewBox=&quot;0 0 1.6 1&quot;%3E%3C\/svg%3E\" data- title=\"\"><\/a><\/p>\n<p><span class=\"article__gallery-count-value\">2<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\"article__media-caption\"><span class=\"article__media-span\">Andrew advises that you &#8220;Try not criticize or to blame&#8221;.<\/span><span class=\"article__credit\">Credit: Getty<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Although you may be nervous, be sincere and not make it a confrontation. \u201cTry not to criticise or blame,\u201dAndrew <\/p>\n<p>\u201cTalk with empathy about their drinking and the effect it has on you.\u201d<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"has-text-align-center\">RIGHT TIME<\/h2>\n<p>Do not try to engage in conversation with someone who is drunk, or feeling hungover. <\/p>\n<p>Choose a time when they are not sober. They will be more open to listening to you. Accept that the conversation may get heated and move on to the next time.<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"has-text-align-center\">GP MOT<\/h2>\n<p>Remember the NHS is there for you and your loved-one. \u201cEncourage them to book in for a check-up with their GP,\u201d says Andrew. <\/p>\n<p>Their doctor can assess the person\u2019s drinking and talk to them about recommended limits and treatment options.<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"has-text-align-center\">SPREAD CARE<\/h2>\n<p>It&#8217;s okay to look after them. \u201cEncourage them to drink plenty of water so they do not become dehydrated and to eat regularly, especially before they start to drink,\u201d says Andrew. <\/p>\n<p>\u201cMake sure they are not putting themselves and others at risk by drink-driving.\u201d<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"has-text-align-center\">FEELS HOPE<\/h2>\n<p>Do not despair and try to take small victories as they come. \u201cRemain positive about their ability to change, and offer praise for any small alterations they are able to make,\u201d says Andrew. <\/p>\n<p>Positive feedback is always appreciated and it will make people feel valued.<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"has-text-align-center\">SELF-CARE<\/h2>\n<p>\u201c IF you are affected by someone else\u2019s drinking, it\u2019s important to know you are not alone and there is support available,\u201d says Andrew.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThere are also organisations that offer help and advice specifically for family members.\u201dFor more information, visit alcoholchange.org.uk<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p><script>\n      !function(f,b,e,v,n,t,s){if(f.fbq)return;n=f.fbq=function(){n.callMethod?\n        n.callMethod.apply(n,arguments):n.queue.push(arguments)};if(!f._fbq)f._fbq=n;\n        n.push=n;n.loaded=!0;n.version='2.0';n.queue=[];t=b.createElement(e);t.async=!0;\n        t.src=v;s=b.getElementsByTagName(e)[0];s.parentNode.insertBefore(t,s)}(window,\n        document,'script','https:\/\/connect.facebook.net\/en_US\/fbevents.js');\n      fbq('init', '752905198150451');\n      fbq('track', \"PageView\");\n    <\/script><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Being a caregiver for someone who is a heavy drinker can be difficult. You can help improve your health by encouraging them and their support. According to the NHS, addiction can be defined as &#8220;a state of mind that is not controlled by any other means.&#8221; \u201cnot having control over doing, taking or using something [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":51,"featured_media":114679,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[19,11,3267],"tags":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/centralrecorder.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/The-four-signs-a-loved-one-is-battling-a-hidden.jpg","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/centralrecorder.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/114678"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/centralrecorder.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/centralrecorder.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/centralrecorder.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/51"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/centralrecorder.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=114678"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/centralrecorder.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/114678\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":114680,"href":"https:\/\/centralrecorder.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/114678\/revisions\/114680"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/centralrecorder.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/114679"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/centralrecorder.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=114678"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/centralrecorder.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=114678"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/centralrecorder.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=114678"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}