Deciding to have a alcoholism intervention with the Alcoholic in your life can be a difficult choice to make. Having a loved one or a friend who struggles with an addiction can be a truly difficult and tiring experience. Being knowledgeable about your options can be helpful.
Many find that their loved one is in denial of their drinking concerns, and is unable to recognize their concerns. This can be frustrating and concerning. For more information on alcoholism denial, please follow the link.
It is important to remember that most people who struggle with alcoholism are often unaware of their drinking habits. Because alcoholics are so wrapped up in this world, they have a hard time seeing things from an outside point of view.
This can make it very difficult for them to recognize issues related to their drinking despite the fact that these issues may be apparent to others involved. Intervention is a viable option for those who are concerned about their loved one's alcohol abuse.
A group intervention is generally conducted with those who are close with the individual, to include family, spouse or partner, friends, co-workers and others. The purpose of this intervention is for all participants to have an opportunity to express their feelings, emotions and concerns about the drinking.
This allows participants to voice their opinion, express their thoughts and feelings in a way that is supportive of all participants.
Denial is a common experience among individuals who struggle with drinking. At this point, the individual is not receptive to listening to others concerns and often feel as though others are over reacting, judging and/or criticizing them.
What is an Alcoholism Intervention?
An alcoholism intervention is a serious undertaking that must be entered into carefully by family members and friends – and done only in conjunction with counsel from a substance abuse professional.
Confronting the alcoholic with evidence of how his or her drinking has affected loved ones and friends may serve as motivation to seek treatment. Yet, intervention strategies may vary and, if not done properly, can backfire and end up making the alcoholic even more resistant to help.
So what is the right way to conduct an intervention? Start with careful planning, assisted by an experienced professional interventionist that can guide you through the process and facilitate the intervention.
Follow these steps to plan a successful intervention:
According to the National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence, when done properly with the assistance of a qualified trained professional, interventions work at least 90 percent of the time.
That means that the alcoholic makes a commitment to seek help and enters into treatment. That’s not a guarantee that he or she will complete treatment or stay sober or never relapse, but it’s a place to start. It’s the place recovery must start, in fact.
Unfortunately, only 10 percent of all alcoholism intervention achieve the desired results. If your attempt at an alcoholism intervention is not successful, it is crucial that you follow through with any consequences you presented to the alcoholic during the intervention.
It is also important that you take whatever steps necessary to protect yourself from the consequences of the alcoholic’s drinking, such as closing a joint bank account to protect your money or going to court to limit the alcoholic’s visitation with children to protect them.
Keep in mind that there are a number of support groups ready to help you through this difficult time. Most communities have Al-Anon meetings for family members of alcoholics, as well as Ala-teen groups designed for children of alcoholics.
The purpose of such groups is to help family members understand that it is not their fault that an alcoholic drinks and they must ultimately look after themselves whether or not their loved one gets help.
These self-help groups don’t assist in a alcoholism intervention and they don’t have substance abuse professionals on staff, but they can be a valuable resource for family members and friends of alcoholics going through the difficult process of trying to convince a loved one to get help.
If you are ready to set up an alcohol intervention for a family member or a loved one, help is always available. Please reach out to a treatment provider today.
Lead Writer/Reviewer : Kayla Loibl
Licensed Medical Health Professional
I am a Mental Health Counselor who is licensed in both New York (LMHC) and North Carolina (LPC). I have been working in the Mental Health field since 2015. I have worked in a residential setting, an outpatient program and an inpatient addictions program. I began working in Long Island, NY and then in Guelph, Ontario after moving to Canada. Read More
Alcohol Addiction Intervention - More information on what an alcoholic intervention is, when it should be used, how it works, who is involved, and cautions to be aware of.
Alcoholism as a Disease - Information on treating alcoholism. See if an intervention is the right strategy for you.
Alcoholism Treatment Option - Intervention tips as recommended from the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism.
Helping an Alcoholic - Information on how to help an alcoholic whether they want help or not. Also, what you should do to help yourself.
Dealing With an Alcoholic - Strategies for addressing the problem, and convincing the alcoholic that treatment is necessary. Find out how an alcohol abuse intervention works.
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