Treatment for Alcohol Problems: Finding and Getting Help National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism NIAAA

how to do an intervention for an alcoholic

If someone you care about is struggling with alcohol use, don’t wait to get help. Reach out to a professional interventionist or a local treatment center, such as The Recovery Village Atlanta, to discuss your options. While 12-step programs like Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) can benefit your loved one, Al-Anon meetings are great resources for you.

  • The goal of an intervention is to encourage someone to seek the proper treatment they need and deserve.
  • Like AA, Al-Anon is a mutual-help group for the loved ones of those who struggle with alcohol misuse.
  • In some cases, your loved one with an addiction may not accept the treatment plan.

Recovery Coaching

how to do an intervention for an alcoholic

Working with an addiction professional, such as a licensed alcohol and drug counselor, social worker, psychologist, psychiatrist, or interventionist, can help you organize an effective intervention. An addiction professional will think about what’s going on in your loved one’s life, suggest the best approach, and guide you in what type of treatment and follow-up plan is likely to work best. Common mental health conditions that co-occur with AUD are depressive disorders, anxiety disorders, trauma- and stress-related disorders, other substance use disorders, and sleep disorders. Studies show that people who have AUD are more likely to suffer from major depression or anxiety over their lifetime. When addressing drinking problems, it’s important to also seek treatment for any accompanying medical and mental health issues.

Get Help From An Alcohol Counselor Or Medical Professional

Alcohol.org is a subsidiary of American Addiction Centers (AAC), a nationwide provider of addiction treatment. After an intervention, family members and friends follow through with their promises, such as not enabling their loved one’s drinking problem by financially supporting them. Even if an alcohol intervention is not successful at first, an individual may reach out for help at a later date when they’re ready to get help. It’s important to show your loved one that they are not alone on the journey to recovery – an alcohol intervention may be exactly what they need to save their life. An intervention is a carefully orchestrated meeting aimed at inspiring individuals battling addiction to embrace change and seek help.

how to do an intervention for an alcoholic

How much does an alcohol intervention cost?

  • McMahon has family members and friends prepare for the intervention by writing letters to the alcoholic or drug addict.
  • You may need to join forces with others and take action through a formal intervention.
  • If they reject the opportunity for treatment, the members of the intervention group must carry out the consequences they outlined during the intervention.
  • Remind your loved one about the happier times in their life when alcohol didn’t control their emotions and health.
  • With the right resources, a well-structured plan, and compassion, you can make a profound difference in your loved one’s life.
  • Regardless of the setting, treatment will feature several key components.
  • Even when a substance causes problems for a person, his or her physical or psychological reliance on it can take priority.

If the conversation begins to take a turn for the worse, a professional will be able to mitigate the situation and keep everyone safe. It’s crucial to have a plan for this possibility, which may involve setting boundaries or seeking additional professional help. You may be able to better compare your options by assessing whether and how the program or provider measures success. Overall, gather as much information as you can about a program or provider before making a decision on treatment.

Can intervention be successful?

  • It’s crucial to have a plan for this possibility, which may involve setting boundaries or seeking additional professional help.
  • Any treatment center receiving calls from the site is a paid advertiser.
  • An alcohol counselor or medical professional will be able to guide you in your preparations before the meeting with your loved one.
  • Your support and a carefully planned intervention can be the starting point for long-term recovery.

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There are several reasons as to why an intervention may fail such as your loved one refusing to recognize they have a drinking problem or thinking that they do not need treatment. In cases such as these, it’s important to remember that your loved one must be fully invested for recovery to work. You can stage an intervention and try to help, but the final decision is theirs alone. No matter what, know that you have your loved one’s best interest in mind.

how to do an intervention for an alcoholic

What to Do If Your Loved One Relapses

  • These specialists can also help families handle issues they don’t know how to navigate on their own.
  • It provides a safe, stable place where they are monitored and cared for by medical staff 24/7.
  • If you don’t have health insurance, look for a free or low-cost clinic.
  • It is intended as a resource to understand what treatment choices are available and what to consider when selecting among them.
  • Reach out to a professional interventionist or a local treatment center, such as The Recovery Village Atlanta, to discuss your options.

People should speak for themselves and the problems they experience. For example, an alcoholic’s husband could talk about how worried he gets late at night when he’s not sure if his wife is still at the bar or if she was hurt on the way home. If you’re ready to stage an alcohol intervention for your loved one, help is available. While professional help is not required for an intervention to take place, it’s helpful to have a moderator that can keep the conversation on track. An alcohol counselor or medical professional will be able to guide you in your preparations before the meeting with your loved one. For example, they can assist you in determining the specific situations to bring up and how to explain them.

how to do an intervention for an alcoholic

It can be hard to know how to stage an intervention for alcoholism. Common types of treatments for alcohol use disorder include https://ecosoberhouse.com/article/alcohol-and-headaches-why-does-alcohol-cause-migraines/ medical detoxification, medicine-assisted treatment, inpatient or outpatient treatment, and therapy. After a successful intervention, your loved one should enter the offered treatment program. In the case of alcohol use disorder, treatment may also include medical detox to avoid potentially dangerous withdrawal symptoms.

how to do an intervention for an alcoholic

Instead, relapse indicates that additional and/or a different form of treatment is necessary. Getting plenty of sleep, eating properly, participating in regular exercise, meditating, even positive self-talk are healthier alternatives to drinking and can help your loved one prevent relapse. Get professional help from an online addiction and mental health counselor from BetterHelp.

Take our free, 5-minute alcohol abuse self-assessment below if you think you or someone you love might be struggling with alcohol abuse. The evaluation consists of 11 yes or no questions that are intended to be used as an informational tool to assess the severity and probability of an alcohol use disorder. The test is free, confidential, and no personal information is needed to receive the result. how to do an intervention for an alcoholic Addressing your concerns for a family member, friend, or loved one often feels overwhelming and daunting. On one hand, you want to maintain your relationship; however, you want your loved one to get the help they need.

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