Alcohol Abuse Intervention: Alcohol Drug Intervention: Tough Love for the Addict and the Family

An alcohol drug intervention can be very productive if done correctly. When a drug addict or an alcoholic is actively using, it is hard to get them motivated to stop. You can beg and plead with them and explain the dangers of addiction and point out the addict’s behaviors, but often this does not work.

Living with an addict is a very emotionally and physically difficult experience. Sometimes a drug or alcohol abuse intervention can stop the cycle of addiction just long enough to give your loved one time to think more rationally and make better decisions.

Living with an Addict: The Family’s Role

Interventions are usually done by families and loved ones of the drug addict or alcoholic. Those trying to reason with the addict will set bottom lines. Sometimes these bottom lines involve completely cutting ties with the addict.

Another example would be not cutting ties completely, but refusing to allow the drug addict or alcoholic into their homes. It all depends on the severity of the situation. Sometimes a family can get through to the addict by simply expressing their love and concern and support.

Support for the Family

A drug or alcohol abuse intervention also offers support to the family members and loved ones of the addict. Loved ones often feel alone and helpless because they cannot help the person who means so much to them. An alcohol drug intervention can help them come together as a whole.

The most important aspect of an intervention is to make sure that everyone is on the same page. Everyone has to stick to their bottom lines or else the addict will have the means and the excuse to continue with their addictive, destructive behavior.

It is very important that everyone involved in the intervention maintains a loving and caring approach. If the addict starts to feel as though he needs to defend himself, this could cause him to walk out or become angry, which would greatly hinder the alcohol drug intervention.

Do We Have To Hire a Professional Interventionist?

An alcohol drug intervention can be planned by the family or a professional interventionist can be hired. Preparing for an alcohol drug intervention can be tough, especially if the family and loved ones are not particularly educated in addiction. A professional interventionist can be wonderful, but it can also be a bit expensive. If a professional is not an option due to financial reasons, there are numerous websites that explain in detail how to plan and execute an alcohol drug intervention.

How Successful is an Alcohol Drug Intervention?

Unfortunately, there is always a possibility that the addict will not accept help. This is something the family needs to be prepared for. Unless the drug addict or alcoholic is really ready to get help, there is not much anyone else can do.

That being said, family and loved ones can certainly make it harder for the addict to continue using or drinking. It is very common that a person with a serious addiction is able to continue using because they are getting money or housing from people who love them. When the money or housing or other financial support is taken away, it makes it much more difficult for an addicted person to continue using.

An alcohol drug intervention is sometimes enough to convince an addict to accept help. Often, addicts will go into drug alcohol treatment centers feeling coerced or forced, but once they are there they may become a willing participant. It is not always a bad thing for an addict to accept treatment even when they feel as though they are not ready to stop using. After beginning treatment, their outlook can change drastically.

More Alcohol Abuse Intervention Information…