Planning an Alcohol Abuse Intervention

Watching a loved one struggle with alcohol addiction can be devastating. As their addiction worsens, they may start drinking alone more frequently or begin distancing themselves from their non-drinking friends and family. Feelings of guilt or embarrassment may cause them to begin hiding their habits from you. It can be difficult for them to moderate how much they have. Increased risky behavior and a lack of impulse control while intoxicated can lead to all sorts of problems you wouldn’t normally associate with your friend or family member. Their job performance may begin to suffer, and they might even lose their job as more and more of their time and energy is consumed by alcohol.

Someone suffering from alcohol addiction often doesn’t realize the scope of the damage being caused to themselves and others. You don’t have to feel totally helpless in this situation. An alcohol abuse intervention might be the turning point in your loved one’s life, and we’re here to help you plan for this critical moment.

Alcohol Abuse Intervention Strategies

It’s tough to know what to expect when organizing an alcohol abuse intervention if you’ve never experienced one. It can be a very intense, emotional event for everyone involved. The person being confronted may feel betrayed or embarrassed. If their defenses go up and old wounds get reopened, it’s important to remember why you’re all gathered together. Alcoholism is a disease, and it’s not a choice your family member or friend made. It’s not a reflection of who they are. You’re all here to help them realize the destructive impact addiction has had on their life so they can make the choice to seek help.

A healthcare professional, social worker or one of our intervention specialists can help prepare you for the intervention, and they may participate in the event depending on the circumstances.

Common Intervention Concepts

Each intervention may differ slightly depending on the individual, but there are some common elements that are part of most alcohol addiction interventions.

Who’s in charge? Typically, if a child is being confronted, one of the parents or a guardian will take the lead. When a spouse or partner is involved, they usually lead the intervention.

Why are you here? Everyone personally involved with the patient should prepare a personal letter or written remarks detailing the ways that this alcohol addiction has negatively impacted your relationship. During the intervention, each of you will read your letter aloud.

What’s at stake? One person should make a list of behaviors that will not be tolerated any longer. This should also include any activities or items that will no longer be financed if your loved one refuses treatment.

Stick to the plan. Be ready to follow through on any consequences outlined during the intervention. If they choose not to seek treatment and everything returns to normal, you may help reinforce their behavior.

Cycles of Change Can Help Plan Your Intervention

Navigating the ins and outs of alcohol abuse intervention isn’t something that’s common knowledge for most people. The addiction experts at Cycles of Change can help prepare you for the challenges ahead. Our intervention specialists can help you organize the process, so you’ll know what to expect every step along the way. Your loved one will be pre-registered in our alcohol addiction treatment program to allow for as smooth of a transition as possible should they accept help. Get the answers you need about alcohol addiction intervention today.