Alcohol addiction, or alcoholism, is a severe form of substance abuse, characterized by an inability to control drinking habits. Alcohol is easy for people to access and many people drink alcohol in moderation, without developing an addiction. However, this easy access means that it can be easy to overdrink, which can lead to an alcohol abuse disorder.
Often, the person with an alcohol abuse disorder is one of the last to realize and accept that they have a problem. Unfortunately, they need to take this step to have any chance of being successfully treated.
If you have a friend or family member who struggles with substance misuse, then you may need to help them to understand and accept that they need help. This is where an alcohol intervention comes into the picture.
What is an Intervention?
An intervention isn’t just an ambush for people to air their grievances. Rather, the goal of an intervention is to help an individual to realize that they have a problem and to encourage them to receive help. It should take the form of a calm and open conversation.
Ideally, you should try to help the person to become aware of their problem and the effect that it has on their friends and family. You also want to motivate them to seek treatment by helping them to agree that they do have a problem. Finally, you should create an action plan for recovery.
An intervention is a delicate thing. You will need to introduce consequences if they don’t accept treatments, such as refusing to drink with them. It may be beneficial to invite someone to moderate the intervention, such as a doctor or licensed counselor. They can prepare the loved ones for what to expect during the meeting and teach them about addiction.
Ensuring a Successful Intervention
Here are some steps to help you to increase the chances of a successful intervention. You should remember, however, that substance abuse by its nature can make people more unpredictable. This is why it’s helpful to have a medical professional with you.
- First, make sure that you plan ahead. This isn’t the kind of gathering that you can throw together at the last minute. Be prepared, be educated, and be organized.
- Choose a good time. Try to schedule the intervention for a time when they’re unlikely to be under the effects of drugs or alcohol. They also shouldn’t know about it in advance. It isn’t an ambush, but it is best if they only know why people are gathered together after they arrive, otherwise, they probably wouldn’t turn up.
- Talk to the people who will be with you. An intervention shouldn’t include children or anyone that your loved one doesn’t care for. Make sure that everyone knows what they’re going to say and, ideally, rehearse it together.
- Expect your loved one to be upset or even angry. An intervention isn’t a pleasant thing and, even if you’re gentle and patient, they will feel ambushed and possibly even betrayed. Don’t get angry back. Stay calm and rational and reason with them. If they try to change the topic or deflect the conversation, make sure that you stick to the plan.
- The goals of the intervention are primarily that your loved one seeks help. So you should insist on an answer there and then.
- Don’t give up. While an intervention can work, sometimes your loved one will still refuse treatment. Follow through with your warnings, but stay positive. It can take time and repeated efforts.
Substance Abuse Treatment
As has been mentioned, the goals of an intervention are to help someone with a substance abuse disorder to realize that they have a problem and subsequently accept treatment. A drug or alcohol residential treatment center may be just the help they need.
Alcohol, while easily accessible, is a dangerous substance to become addicted to. An addict will be physically dependent on alcohol, becoming ill if they suddenly stop taking it without medical support. This means that, depending on the severity of the addiction, they may need to go through a detoxification process to rid them of this dependency and help them to work through it. From there, a residential center will help them to readjust to their lives, offering comfortable lodgings and therapy to ensure that they remain alcohol-free. If you’re concerned that your loved one is addicted to alcohol and would like more information about how you can help, please contact Findlay Recovery Center.
