When you have a loved one who is an alcoholic, life is complicated. It is hard enough to live with an alcoholic, and sometimes it proves even harder just trying not to give them more reasons to drink. You don't want to enable their addiction by being seen as the "bad guy" and at the same time you desperately want them to get help for their problem. If you know a family member has a self-destructive drinking problem, then an intervention might be the only way to get through to them.
Before considering an intervention, you should know that the ultimate goal is for the alcoholic-whether it be your friend, spouse, or other family member-to willingly accept that their problem is hurting themselves as well as the people they care about and enter a treatment facility.
Who You Should Contact
But who do you contact in such a situation? First, you should try and reach a substance abuse counselor who can be present at the intervention and help mediate the entire affair. During interventions, pleas for a sober lifestyle are often seen as personal attacks by the person with the drinking problem. A counselor can not only advise you on what to say, but they can also help determine how to best help the person with the drinking problem.
In the past, interventions for alcoholics were often similar to a cross between a surprise party and an ambush. This has led many alcoholics to simply deny that they have a problem and that the only problem is that everyone else has a problem with them drinking. It may be wise to notify the person with the alcohol problem that you have been speaking to a counselor several days in advance of the intervention, just so it does not come as a complete shock. Once again, if you are unsure how to communicate this to your alcoholic friend or family member, ask a substance abuse counselor for advice.
When intervening in the life of an alcoholic, one thing to consider is where the intervention will be held. A place you might not think to try is at the alcoholic's place of work. First, make sure that your friend or loved one's employer is on board with the idea of getting his employee sober. As with all things intervention, this can be a delicate subject to discuss, especially with someone who isn't in your circle of family and friends. Your counselor should be able to help you determine a proper intervention sit if you need help.
Of course, interventions are not always effective in convincing the alcoholic that the best course of action is for them to seek treatment. However, if you are genuinely concerned about the health of your loved one, then it may be the only option available.
Alcoholism has no cure, only treatment. A 28 day treatment facility is only the start on a path to a sober life, and before you decide to intervene, the best advice that can be given is to consider the possibility that the intervention will not work. If you offer an alcoholic an ultimatum such as: "If you continue to drink, then I'm filing for divorce," then ask yourself if you are really prepared to take that kind of step. Failure is always a possibility with addiction interventions, and as with everything else in life, proper preparation will more likely yield positive results. Good luck.
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