Alcoholic Intervention Program: What Is It? How Should You Do It?
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If you’ve ever wondered whether a loved one has a drinking problem, chances are they probably do. But no matter how obvious it may be, it can be difficult to know what to do about it or how you can help them. Do you just keep ignoring it? Try talking to them? Or stage an intervention?
Holding an alcohol intervention may seem drastic, but it might be just the thing your loved one needs to get healthier — and happier.
In this post, we’ll explore what an alcohol intervention is and how to do one effectively. We’ll also look at treatment options for those of us struggling with alcohol misuse. Let’s get started!
Simply put, an alcoholic intervention is a structured meeting organized by family or friends of a person with alcohol misuse. The goal of the meeting is to encourage the person to seek help or treatment for their alcohol misuse by pointing out concerns related to their current drinking patterns. For instance, family or friends might comment on how drinking seems to have taken a toll on their health or caused them to neglect their daily responsibilities.
Alcoholic interventions can be effective because they force the drinker to look at how their own behavior and actions have affected those closest to them. In other words, it can help them broaden their perspective. And seeing how many people they’ve affected — and how deeply — can give them the motivation they need to make a change.
It’s worth noting that while interventions can be planned solely by family members and friends, they can be more effective when organized in conjunction with a doctor or another health care professional, such as a licensed alcohol and drug counselor. In fact, the National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence says that 90% of people agree to get help when an intervention is conducted by a trained interventionist.
So how do you actually do an alcohol intervention? Typically, an alcohol intervention unfolds in the following 8 steps:
The intervention’s success depends on the planning that goes into it. Doing one haphazardly can only make things worse (planning doesn’t guarantee success, but not planning almost guarantees failure). At the end of the day, it’s worth taking the time to plan carefully and use the guidance of a trained professional.
Holding an alcoholic intervention can be a difficult, emotional experience. Here are 3 ways to protect yourself:
Sadly, for many people, drinking is an ordinary part of life. Alcohol’s effects vary widely from person to person, so it’s not always easy to tell if someone’s alcohol intake has crossed the line from responsible, social drinking to alcohol misuse.
While there’s no specific amount of alcohol that indicates someone is struggling with alcohol, certain signs indicate that they might need help. Here are 4 of them:
The bottom line? Educating ourselves on the warning signs and symptoms of alcohol misuse is an important first step in helping a loved one. The more we know, the easier it is to spot problematic behaviors or patterns. Early intervention can help prevent the further deterioration of our loved one’s health, relationships, and well-being.
As we’ve learned, part of the process of intervention is presenting a clear treatment plan with options. With that in mind, here are some of the most common treatment options for those struggling with alcohol misuse:
A trained professional or healthcare provider can help us determine which treatment option is best for our loved one. In severe cases, our loved one might have to go through detox or utilize medications to reduce alcohol cravings under the supervision of a medical provider.
An alcoholic intervention can be a powerful way to help someone struggling with alcohol misuse. But it’s incredibly important to plan diligently and carefully to maximize its effectiveness. It’s best to have the support and guidance of a trained professional, who can help us determine how to approach our loved one, what to say, and what treatment options and consequences we present during the intervention.
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1. What is an alcoholic intervention?
An alcoholic intervention is a structured meeting organized by family or friends of an individual with alcohol misuse to help them see how their drinking has become problematic.
2. What is the goal of an alcoholic intervention?
The goal of an alcoholic intervention is to encourage the individual to seek help or treatment for their alcohol misuse.
3. How do you do an alcohol intervention?
To conduct a successful intervention, careful planning and communication are key. Assemble an intervention team, choose the right time and place, express concerns with "I" statements, provide specific examples of the impact of their drinking, present a clear treatment plan, and follow up. The key is to strike a balance between expressing concern and offering support without pressure.
4. What should you keep in mind during an alcoholic intervention?
Holding an alcoholic intervention can be a difficult, emotional experience. Try not to take things personally, avoid criticizing or lecturing, and don’t blame yourself for a loved one’s drinking problems.
5. What are signs that someone might need an alcohol intervention?
Someone might need an alcohol intervention if they have an inability to control their drinking, the amount of alcohol they consume has increased, their personal and professional life are suffering, and they deny or lie about how much they're drinking.
6. What treatment options are available for alcohol misuse?
Common treatment options for alcohol misuse include attending a 12-step or other support group, participating in behavioral therapy, or going to an in-patient or out-patient rehab facility.
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