How to convince an alcoholic to stop drinking?

If someone’s an alcoholic you can’t ‘convince’ them to stop drinking. You could talk to them and tell them how the drinking is hurting them AND you and the other people who love them, but it ultimately needs to be their decision to get help.

That is a very difficult problem to handle, and I speak from experience from having a close friend in his 20’s trying to come to grips with it on his own. I can tell you this, as much as I have yelled at him, tried convincing him the harm he is causing to himself and to his family, he nods and kinda agrees but he still will not seek the attention that he needs. I hate the term that is loosely applied “needs to bottom out” for him to start to come to his senses, but history will always bare out that you can’t drag a person kicking and screaming to his own salvation, they have to want it, they have to look within and finally realize that this booze filled life is a road to nowhere. Do what a friend should always do, be there for them, you sit and talk and reason with him, and you don’t give up on them…you show him how life can be that much more fulfilling and fun without the constant morning hangover. And if this sometimes doesn’t scare him. well I have a younger brother who by a miracle is alive today…not 4 months ago was he in a coma, attached to tubes and not given a chance after a night of drinking, then falling and smashing his head. He is alive, but does have problems now, but he did get a second chance. Good luck with your friend.

The medical profession has labeled alcoholism as a disease, so let me ask you this: How can you convince a diabetic to stop being a diabetic? The one thing that you can do is educate yourself on the disease of alcoholism. I have been in recovery from alcoholism for over seven years. The person who has the disease has to want to quit for him/ herself. It is hard to watch. Alanon family services is a good organization for family members and loved ones who are affected by the alcoholic. Whether or not you believe in God, it will also be helpful if you pray that this person finds treatment. AA is usually the last place people are willing to go, because it has a spiritual remedy, but I can say without a doubt that AA has saved my life, and changed my heart.

thank you guys so much ! I’ll do my best