The desire to be sober is the first critical step on the road to recovery. This desire represents your friend or relative’s realization that he or she has a problem and wants to fix it. It is important to remember that this first step, the expressed desire to stop drinking and remain sober, is a significant milestone. Many individuals with alcoholism live in a state of denial or avoidance, not wanting to acknowledge it at all.

Your support is vital to your friend’s or relative’s success in achieving the goal of sobriety. Try to highlight the positive qualities of abstinence from alcohol. A good point to emphasize is that by remaining sober, he or she will regain the ability to think clearly and make choices.

Abandoning alcohol is a major sacrifice for your friend or relative. For an individual with alcoholism, alcohol can represent a crutch or safety net that helps him hide from problems or unpleasant situations. You play a key role in making sure that crutch isn’t required. At this point, the focus should be on resuming relationships with friends and family that might have suffered. Replacing the relationship with alcohol with revitalized relationships with friends and family will reinforce the desire to remain sober and keep the ultimate goal of recovery well within his sights.