Christian Relationship Help: How to Deal With Alcoholism in a Loved One - By karla Downing
This Christian relationship help will show you how to deal with alcoholism in a loved one. Proverbs 20:1 say, "Wine is a mocker and beer a brawler; whoever is led astray by them is not wise" (NIV), but you don't need a proverb to tell you that too much alcohol is a problem not only for the person who drinks but for the family members too. Here are some principles that will show you how to deal with a loved one whose drinking bothers you:
Face the Truth. One of the common components of alcoholism is denial. The drinker denies there is a problem and the family often denies that alcohol is the problem. Facing the truth allows you to direct your emotional energy into figuring out how to respond to the drinking. You won't be making good choices about anything as long as you are in denial. And don't worry about whether your loved one is an alcoholic or just drinks too much. If it is a problem for you, then you need to deal with it.
Detach with Love. It is easy to focus all your time and energy onto the drinker. You want to make the drinking stop by forcing your loved one to admit there is a problem and then to want to change. If it worked, it would be worth it; but it doesn't. It only robs you of the ability to enjoy your own life. Instead, you need to learn how to live your own life, while treating your loved one with dignity and kindness while allowing him/her to be self-responsible. You do this by recognizing that your loved one has the right to make personal choices, but also has the responsibility to deal with the consequences.
Set your Boundaries. Once you admit there is a problem and then let go of trying to force your loved one to change, you will have to figure out what you will and will not do about the many difficult situations you are faced with as a result of your loved one's choices. It takes time to figure out what your bottom line is and even more courage to draw the line and then back it up with consequences, so be patient with yourself while you are trying to figure out your boundaries.
This Christian relationship help offers you three principles that show you how to deal with alcoholism in a loved one.
If you need more practical tips and Biblical truths to help you change your relationships, get my FREE "15-Day Relationship Challenge" designed to give you back the power over your life. Just click here: http://www.free15daychallenge.com Karla Downing is an author, speaker, licensed marriage and family therapist, and Bible study teacher. Karla's passion is to help people find freedom in Christ in the midst of their difficult relationships and circumstances through Biblical truths and practical tools. Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Karla_Downing
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