Alcoholism can be a very trying time for any family. However, that does not mean that recovery is unattainable. Alcoholism is the uncontrollable urge to drink alcohol and the person will do anything they have to do to get it. Cravings can be caused by many things like seeing alcohol, smelling it, or even a very traumatic or stressful situation, sometimes a craving can be triggered by nothing at all, just a mere thought. Alcoholism is a very trying and difficult disease to go through and someone who suffers from it will require all the help and support of their loved ones.

Although there are not that many things someone on the outside can do, there are still many options to help the loved one:

1. Detox
A detox facility is usually the first step and they will help someone clean the alcohol out of their body. Doing this, with alcohol, can sometimes be dangerous if attempted without medical assistance.

2. Outpatient treatment 
There are many different kinds of outpatient rehab centers that treat alcoholism. You don’t have to live in them, only go to the different groups. These are good for learning how to live with alcoholism in a group setting while not having to stay at a facility.

3. Inpatient treatment center
An inpatient alcohol rehab center is more intensive, patients can stay and get away from everything while they learn how to live without alcohol. These facilities have different kinds of treatment programs that they use to help someone with their addiction. These are usually the best way to go when seeking out treatment options.

4. Alcoholics anonymous
A.A. is a group of people that meets to discuss various assortments of recovery-related themes. Run by local people getting together for the sake of staying sober, it is a great way for someone to discuss what they are going through in their journey through recovery and seek help from their peers and to meet others that are alcoholics, too. They stand by keeping total anonymity in their groups to make the setting less intimidating and peaceful.

5. Support groups
There are a lot of different substance abuse support groups, A.A. is a type of support group. There are even support groups for family members of alcoholics.

Alcoholism is a very tough and difficult disease. It will make someone do the most terrible things and cause a lot of hurt to their loved ones, but there is hope. An alcoholic can get help and they can achieve sobriety. That will take a lot of work and support from their families. It is not unattainable, but it is not easy, but nothing worth having ever is.