Dealing with an angry drunk can be frightening and dangerous. For some people, alcohol brings out feelings of happiness and relaxation. But for others, over-indulging can bring out an uglier side that is quick to anger. If somebody close to you is an angry drunk, you might be dealing with the consequences of their drinking frequently. It’s most important to make sure that you are safe when they reach for alcohol. Stay calm in their presence so that you do not escalate their anger, and try to distract them if possible. Try to have a conversation with them about your concerns when they are sober. And by doing so, express that you want to support them and get them the help that they need to get their drinking under control. Hopefully, they will understand that this is a major problem and will seek out the help they need.
Dealing with an Angry Drunk: How to De-Escalate the Situation
Your Safety
When dealing with an angry drunk, the most important thing is your safety and the safety of others around you. If you feel like you are in danger, you need to leave immediately. Some people can be very peaceful when sober but can be quite violent when they drink heavily. If you have young children in the home, get them out safely and take them to a friend or family member you trust until things calm down.
Stay Calm
Staying calm can be helpful when dealing with an angry drunk. However, never try to tell them to calm down. Instead, use a calm soothing tone yourself, and attempt to de-escalate the situation. Try to use distractions to get them away from the person or topic that seems to be triggering their anger. Getting overly emotional yourself will only make them angrier and can be dangerous.
Talk About It
It’s impossible to speak to an angry drunk about their drinking at the moment. Instead, wait until they are sober to have a conversation. Tell them the reasons why their drinking is concerning you, and fill them in on any details that they might not be remembering. Make it clear that this is a serious problem and that they need to get help for it. Try to approach the conversation with kindness and concern rather than criticism.
Get Help
Finally, if somebody you know is an angry drunk, they need to get help. Otherwise, they might end up doing something that they regret. If you want to be there to support them, explore options with them for alcoholism treatment. For example, they might want to speak to their doctor or look into rehab facilities. Other people choose to try individual or group therapy, or programs like Alcoholics Anonymous.
Dealing with an angry drunk is never fun, and it can be downright terrifying. Especially if you feel like they might escalate into violence. The most important thing is to keep yourself and others around you safe. That might mean leaving the situation altogether until they are sober. Try to speak calmly at the moment and distract them from whatever is triggering their anger. Once they sober up, sit them down for a conversation about your concerns. If they are receptive to the conversation, begin thinking about ways to support them through recovery. Hopefully, they can get the help they need to get their drinking under control before they wind up hurting somebody they care about or ruining their relationships.