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Alcoholism as a Disease:
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Preparing for an Intervention
An intervention should be performed as soon as possible in order to help an alcoholic recover from the disease.
Friends and family should never wait until the individual reaches rock bottom -- as by then, it may be too late.
The devastating effects of alcohol dependence, such as financial ruin, loss of family, imprisonment, and even death, may have already taken hold of the addict's life.
The sooner the intervention occurs, the more pain and suffering can be avoided.
An intervention is one way family and friends can convince the person they love to seek the help he or she so desperately needs. In order to successfully facilitate an intervention, family and friends need to first learn how to communicate in a language the alcoholic can understand.
This language includes being completely honest and speaking honestly with the person about the effects alcoholism as a disease and how the addiction is impacting those around him or her. This often is the eye-opener the person needs in order to see clearly enough to accept help.
Structure of the Intervention
There is no magic number of people needed to orchestrate a successful intervention. In addition to an interventionist, there can be as few as one additional person or as many as six to eight.
What is critical is that each of the participants be someone the alcoholic either loves or respects. Potential members of the intervention team are family and friends, as well as teachers, clergy, lawyers, and doctors.
Anyone who might have an impact on the addict's thinking and emotions should be included in the intervention.
There are several key elements to a successful intervention:
- Provide a sufficient opportunity for all family members and loved ones to voice their concern over the alcoholic’s behavior in a passionate and loving manner
- Provide information/education on the nature of alcoholism as a disease and addiction
- Discuss the enabling behavior that has occurred during the progression of the disease
- Direct the addict, and perhaps family members, to treatment
If an intervention is successfully performed, the alcoholic can be moved seek the help on the same day. To accomplish this, however, each member of the team must be willing to work together toward a common goal and to be properly educated in the execution of an intervention.
Finding Help for an Intervention
Some families and loved ones choose to execute an intervention without the guidance of a professional. In most cases, however, it is best to involve the expertise of a seasoned interventionist or a alcoholism rehab center in the development of an intervention plan.
The professional interventionist or rehab center can help the team learn how to reach a common goal and how to use language the alcoholic will understand, while helping to prevent the situation from escalating out of control.
Often, those who are performing the intervention worry that the individual will walk out in the middle of the intervention and not accept alcoholism as a disease or addiction. This rarely occurs. The best course of action is to have one or two of the members of the intervention team follow the alcoholic in order to gently persuade him or her to return to the intervention.
Finding a Rehab
The ultimate goal of an intervention is to persuade the alcoholic to get the help he or she needs. Therefore, it is best to already have a rehab center chosen and arrangements already made for admission.
Even if a staff member from the rehab center does not participate in the actual intervention, the center should be aware of the team's intentions. The worse case scenario, aside from the addict refusing help altogether, is to have no place to go for help upon successful completion of an intervention.
When selecting a rehab center for the alcoholic, consider what type of center is best suited to the individual's needs. The types of programs offered, the location of the rehab center, and the approach towards alcoholism as a disease can all have an impact on the overall success.
The rehab center will need as much detail as possible regarding the alcoholic including drug, family, medical and psychological histories. Work closely with the staff before the intervention to ensure the center is the best choice for all involved.
Source: The California Rehab Guide, which lists and reviews alcohol rehab facilities, lawyers and interventionists, as well as provides information on addiction treatment options.
Resources:
Alcoholism Signs
Alcoholism Treatment Center Questions
Selecting a Rehab Center
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