Have you heard that interventions may be a good way to convince a loved one suffering from alcohol addiction to seek treatment? Yes, they are a viable solution not only in alcohol addiction cases but in any type of addiction and many other situations.
However, do not take everything you hear or see on TV for granted. Although interventions can be beneficial, in order to provide results, they need careful planning and preparation. There is more to them than the usual scene with family and friends gathering together to open the addict’s eyes.
Alcohol Addiction Interventions beyond Stereotypes
Interventions are important events created by friends and family to help an addict acknowledge their problem and accept help. They should be carefully planned, as spontaneity can undermine their success.
It is important for participants to stay on topic and avoid accusations, blaming the addict, or saying hurtful things to them. The place and the time when it all happens are important as well. Perhaps the most important thing is for everyone involved to keep a positive attitude.
Yes, alcoholism negatively affects behavior, health, and relationships but there are solutions: detox and rehab. And while it may not be easy, your loved one has all of you to count on for support and everything they may need.
How to Organize a Successful Intervention For Someone Suffering from Alcohol Addiction
To make sure your intervention is successful it helps to consult with a specialist, or at least your loved one’s doctor. They will guide you through the process, which consists of several important steps:
- Reach Out to Family and Friends – You will need the closest ones to help you organize the intervention and the others to participate and follow through with the plan. Avoid people who are battling their own addictions and those with whom your loved one never got along. Stick to those who genuinely care and about whom your loved one cares.
- Plan the Details – Decide on a time, location, and participants. Outline how you want everything to take place. Generally, aim for a location your loved one knows and is comfortable with. As for time, it is better to catch them sober, or as close to sober as possible. Finally, all participants should be engaged and have something to say.
- Do Your Homework – Learn about alcohol addiction, withdrawal, detox, and recovery. Find nearby recovery center suitable for your loved one’s needs. Coordinate with the others to make sure you will make similar recommendations.
- Prepare Your Speeches – Each participant should explain how your loved one’s addiction has been affecting them. Do not call them out for their behavior. Instead, show them how much they have changed, how your relationships suffer, how much you miss their old self. Let them see you are suffering, you need them, you want them to get better and you are willing to work with them for that.
- Be Ready to Lend a Hand – Your loved one may look for excuses to delay treatment. Perhaps they have a pet to take care of or they cannot drive to the recovery center. They may be reluctant to the idea of going through everything by themselves. Offer to take care of their pet, drive them to therapy, participate in therapy with them. They need to see that, even if their worst fears materialize, someone will be there to back them up.
- Set Limits – Sometimes, tough love is the only way. If your loved one refuses treatment, all participants should commit to stop accepting and supporting their addiction. No more drinks, no more lending money, no more accepting excuses. They can either comply and get help or put up with the consequences.
- Practice – You will be tackling sensitive issues, and things can easily get out of hand. To make sure they do not, gather around at least once and rehearse what each would like to say to the addict. This way, when you actually get to it, you will have an idea of what to say and you will know when to stop and let someone else take over.
- Prepare for the Worst – The intervention will hopefully go well and determine your loved one to accept help but what if they do not? You should all be ready to highlight the consequences and enforce them. You need to show your loved one that they have no alternative but to accept treatment. All participants should support one another and not back down or accept excuses.
- Keep to Your Word – If the addict accepts treatment, you should all live up to your promises and be there for them. If they refuse it, you should turn your threats into reality, show them that you meant what you said.
They will hopefully come around and accept treatment.
Get Help for You and Your Loved One from Asheville Recovery Center
Whether you are only thinking or organizing an intervention, doing your homework, or you have already convinced your loved one who is suffering from alcohol addiction, we can help. Their addiction has not been easy for you but we can ease some of the burden. Let us provide the advice and support you need and the alcohol addiction treatment and care your loved one needs! Call Asheville Recovery Center and schedule a free consultation to find out more!
