For friends & family ...

If you love someone who is struggling with addiction, you may feel helpless, scared, confused, and desperately want them to seek treatment. When someone is struggling with alcohol abuse / alcohol use disorder / alcohol addiction, there are symptoms you might notice that include one or more of the following:

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• Drinking more than was originally intended.

• Trying to stop using or cut back on using  alcohol - but not being able to do so.

• Continuing to drink despite being aware of the physical or emotional problems associated.

• Experiencing cravings to drink / drink more.

• There is interpersonal conflict due to the person’s drinking.

• The person’s alcohol abuse results in them not fulfilling their responsibilities at work, school, or home.

• The person uses alcohol in high-risk situations, constantly.

• The person spends a lot of time seeking out alcohol, parties and heavy drinking environments.

• They will give up things that were once important to them, in exchange for alcohol.

• The person develops tolerance to a substance.

• They need more alcohol to keep getting the same effects from it.

• If the person stops drinking - they experience physical symptoms of withdrawal.

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Below we have listed the organisations in Australia that are set up to help guide family and friends through the process of loving someone in addiction, and what to do / what not to do. Because it's essential you get help, too. 

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In time SITC will create a peer online support Bush Tribe for Family & Friends, too.