One of my friend is drinking alcohol daily, his addicted to alcohol, smoking also his not able to stop it, kindly suggest me how it's stop it permanently.

Question

There are some medicines that help with smoking cessation. But with the drinking the medication involves your cousin?s full knowledge and cooperation. He may consult a psychiatrist regarding this. Now making him stop, is a very difficult and near impossible task. Even if it appears that you have succeeded, I can guarantee it will end up a failure: his willingness is paramount to his recovery, which you say is fortunately there. The combination of alcohol and smoking is deadly for his health. I am so glad that he is seeking to get rid of these habits and that will play a major role in his recovery. He must stop them both, abruptly and immediately. If he thinks that he will find it very difficult, then admit him to a hospital and let him go for de-addiction: which normally lasts for about two weeks. Then follow that up with addiction counseling from a professional for at least three years to completely get rid of these habits. If this is also not enough, then admit him into a de-addiction center and let him stay there for at least 6 months and after that attend counseling with a professional. There are medicines that help with the smoking and drinking just to ease the initial craving. Ultimately, it is his will power and the support that he receives from the medical fraternity and his close and dear ones. He must also learn to substitute and deal with the oral need, a rigid value system, the script issue, and of course look at all the genetic factors to plan a strategy not to get into what is called ?cross addictions? i.e. another form of addiction that may appear alright but is in fact as bad as his primary addiction. The center or hospital and the counselor will advise and guide him on several measures and precautions he will need to take to stay with his resolve. Even after whichever treatment approach he chooses, he must attend AA meetings, and his family must also attend some Al-anon meetings to help them deal with their own issues regarding his alcoholism and to support him too in the recovery process. This fabulous decision will benefit him firstly, and his entire family. He is taking action that will have major bearing to many lives.

Saul Pereira · Accepted Answer

There are some medicines that help with smoking cessation. But with the drinking the medication involves your cousin?s full knowledge and cooperation. He may consult a psychiatrist regarding this. Now making him stop, is a very difficult and near impossible task. Even if it appears that you have succeeded, I can guarantee it will end up a failure: his willingness is paramount to his recovery, which you say is fortunately there. The combination of alcohol and smoking is deadly for his health. I am so glad that he is seeking to get rid of these habits and that will play a major role in his recovery. He must stop them both, abruptly and immediately. If he thinks that he will find it very difficult, then admit him to a hospital and let him go for de-addiction: which normally lasts for about two weeks. Then follow that up with addiction counseling from a professional for at least three years to completely get rid of these habits. If this is also not enough, then admit him into a de-addiction center and let him stay there for at least 6 months and after that attend counseling with a professional. There are medicines that help with the smoking and drinking just to ease the initial craving. Ultimately, it is his will power and the support that he receives from the medical fraternity and his close and dear ones. He must also learn to substitute and deal with the oral need, a rigid value system, the script issue, and of course look at all the genetic factors to plan a strategy not to get into what is called ?cross addictions? i.e. another form of addiction that may appear alright but is in fact as bad as his primary addiction. The center or hospital and the counselor will advise and guide him on several measures and precautions he will need to take to stay with his resolve. Even after whichever treatment approach he chooses, he must attend AA meetings, and his family must also attend some Al-anon meetings to help them deal with their own issues regarding his alcoholism and to support him too in the recovery process. This fabulous decision will benefit him firstly, and his entire family. He is taking action that will have major bearing to many lives.