How to Help Someone Stop Drinking: 10 Clear Steps to Solve an Alcohol Problem

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🔍 What Are the First Signs of a Drinking Problem?

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Before change can happen, the problem must be recognised. Common signs of alcohol misuse include:

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• Drinking more or more often than planned

• Struggling to stop or cut down

• Impact on health, relationships, or work

• Using alcohol to cope with stress, anxiety or depression

• Hiding drinking from loved ones, or finding hidden bottles around the house

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Early intervention is crucial. According to Alcohol Change UK, over 600,000 people in England are dependent drinkers, but only 18% receive treatment.

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✅ 10 Exact Steps to Help Someone Stop Drinking

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1. Acknowledge the Problem

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Help the person identify how alcohol is impacting their life. This may require gentle conversations, observations, or a professional screening. Never be judgmental. Alcohol is addictive, and it becomes even more insidious because it is widely socially acceptable to drink. In fact, often a non-drinker can be treated with more distrust! Alcohol is everywhere - in advertising, on TV, movies, at weddings... It can be a tough thing to try and control when you are having difficulties. 

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2. Encourage a Professional Assessment

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A GP or addiction specialist can assess the severity of the drinking and recommend the right level of support. They may diagnose Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD) or related conditions.

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3. Develop a Personalised Treatment Plan

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This plan may include:

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• Therapy, counselling, or coaching.

• Medication (e.g. Naltrexone, Acamprosate)

• Community support or residential rehab

• Lifestyle changes and harm reduction strategies

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In the UK, NHS alcohol services or local charities like Change Grow Live or Turning Point can help.

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4. Supervised Detox (If Needed)

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For highly dependent drinkers, around 10 percent of drinkers, sudden alcohol withdrawal can be dangerous. A medically supervised detox ensures safety while the body clears alcohol.

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5. Start Therapy and Emotional Support

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Effective treatments include:

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• Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)

• Alcohol Freedom Coaching 

• Motivational Interviewing (MI)

• 12-step programmes like Alcoholics Anonymous (AA)

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Therapy addresses the underlying causes of drinking—such as trauma, anxiety, or depression.

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6. Build a Strong Support Network

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Recovery is easier when you're not alone. Encourage regular check-ins with friends, family or a sober coach. Peer support is one of the strongest predictors of lasting change.

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7. Create a Healthy, Alcohol-Free Lifestyle

 

Help them:

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• Improve sleep

• Exercise regularly

• Eat nutritious meals

• Replace drinking with positive habits

• Change with compassion

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These steps help the brain and body recover from alcohol’s effects faster.

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8. Track Progress & Celebrate Wins

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Whether using an app, journal, or calendar—track alcohol-free days, emotional shifts, and wins. This builds momentum and resilience.

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9. Plan for Relapse Prevention

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Relapse isn’t failure—it’s feedback. Teach strategies like:

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• Avoiding triggers (pubs, parties, certain friends)

• Managing cravings with distraction, breathing or movement

• Knowing who to call when urges strike

• Remember, compassion is key

• Those who want change very badly find it easier to change. Consider hiring a coach to support them on their journey, but they must want the change in the first place.

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10. Commit to Ongoing Support

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Long-term change often means long-term support. Weekly meetings, therapy sessions, or online groups can help maintain progress. Many prefer private support, and this is where 1 to 1 Coaching helps the process also, and empowers the individual to make permanent changes much easier. Affective Liminal Psychology can help the individual reprogram their brain, a little like CBT, and ease the transition so they no longer care for alcohol at all. 

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🧠 Why This Step-by-Step Approach Works

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This structure is grounded in proven addiction recovery models like the Stages of Change, CBT, and harm reduction. It combines physical safety (like detox) with emotional healing and ongoing support—making it far more effective than willpower alone.

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Key UK Resources:

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• Drinkaware – www.drinkaware.co.uk

• Alcohol Change UK – www.alcoholchange.org.uk

• NHS Alcohol Services – Available through your GP or local health trust

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🎯 Final Thought​

You can’t force someone to change. But you can help them feel seen, supported, and empowered to take back control. Whether it’s your partner, friend, or yourself—change starts with one small step.

Need urgent help? Call Drinkline free on 0300 123 1110 or get in touch with their GP. 

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