Intervention for an Alcoholic

Introduction

Main Item

Denial is a Huge Problem

If you are a friend or a family member of someone who is either abusing alcohol or already addicted, you're probably wondering what you can do to help. The biggest problem you face is that the abuser or addict thinks this is YOUR problem, or you're making a fuss over nothing. "I can handle it." The last one in the room to know there is a problem is the one who has it.

There is help for an intervention

You've seen what's going on and you are thinking of ways to stop the behavior. Maybe you've decided to do an alcoholism intervention for that person you care about and "get real" with him or her. Your motives are pure, but you are probably not equipped to help. You probably need the assistance of an interventionist, someone who is trained in drug and alcohol issues.

You are not going to be left out of the room, as the interventionist will work with the family and friends to plan the best approach to the abuser or addict, based upon his/her history of use. The interventionist will plan according to the user's drug of choice, make the proper analysis and map out a specific strategy based on the information gathered.

Each alcoholism intervention can be different

Interventions will vary, depending on the user's history. For example, if the person is already well into alcoholism, the interventionist must make that adjustment to the strategy. That's where friends and family come in. Moreover, the interventionist will understand the approaches to handling addicts with alcoholism, cocaine abuse, heroin addiction, or those who are abusing inhalants or methamphetamine.

Regardless of the drug, trained professional help is available for an alcoholism intervention. They are the ones who can give an accurate and objective account of the user's behavior. If someone has just moved from being an occasional user to a frequent user, that requires a different approach than the one for a person who is a long-time abuser. Friends and family are vital to this process.

Most people under estimate their problem

People who are caught in alcoholism do not realize the severity of their problem. The only thing that matters in their life is getting the drug, regardless of the consequences. Health problems are not considered. Legal problems are not considered. The person who used to be rational and law-abiding has been swallowed by alcohol. That's why the alcoholism intervention step is so vital.

Don't enable

There is no room for enabling, no room for being the good guy, because the life of the addict may be on the line unless something is done on their behalf. It is sad when family and friends no longer matter. It is even sadder when life does not matter. Don't be a hero. Get help from a trained professional. That person knows what questions to ask and what information is necessary to make a proper assessment and an effective strategy for battling the problem.

Alcoholism intervention can really help!

Another important point to keep in mind is that an intervention, however brief, may make all the difference in the world to getting the addict back on track to restoring his/her health. Even a short encounter with an alcoholism specialist can prove instrumental in helping someone along. Those short visits may lead to putting them into a rehab program, or at least getting in to see a physician.

Once in the throws of alcoholism, addicts will no longer be the person they used to be, and as a result, the intervention stages may be difficult for you to witness. Our affection for the person, our feelings get in the way and it is difficult for the family member or friend to remain objective. The interventionist is key to putting the addict back on the right path to a healthy and successful life.

Reference: Ned Wicker is the Addictions Recovery Chaplain at Waukesha Memorial Hospital Lawrence Center He author's a website for addiction support: www.drug-addiction-support.org

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Cite This Page (APA): Ned Wicker. (2009, July 3 - Last revised: 2013, June 14). Intervention for an Alcoholic. Disabled World. Retrieved September 21, 2024 from www.disabled-world.com/medical/pharmaceutical/addiction/abusing-alcohol.php

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