Alcoholism Intervention

Alcoholism Intervention:

What is Intervention?

People who are addicted to alcohol do not believe they have a problem, and if there is a problem, it’s your problem. That is a key idea to remember when trying to help a friend or loved one who is in the clutch of alcoholism. Just telling that person you are concerned for their health and well-being isn’t going to change the addictive behavior. It’s like me telling my dog “Moose” not to chase the rabbits in the back yard. His brain tells him to chase the rabbits.

Depending on the situation, a person might come to the conclusion that their alcohol use needs to stop and in some cases there is success. But the majority of people cannot just stop using, so they need help. If you are concerned about a loved one, it’s hard for you to be the messenger, because you are too close. You have an emotional attachment and history with that person.

A good example of being too close is found in the wonderful play “The Miracle Worker” when the parents of Helen Keller interfere with the professional help they are receiving from Anne O’Sullivan. Mom and dad feel the therapist is too harsh, or moving too quickly, or too inexperienced, or even too unfeeling. They are too close to Helen and cannot see the entire situation from beginning to end. They do not know what is in Helen’s best interest or how to proceed. They just react emotionally. They are not objective.

If you care, you need help. A trained alcoholism interventionist is your best friend. Where you are likely to fail, the professional will succeed over 90% of the time. Alcoholism is serious and life threatening. If your loved one is addicted, you need to act immediately. Their situation is not going to improve, because alcoholism has taken over the love one’s life and does not want treatment. It’s like having a monkey on their back that controls and directs their life. The monkey isn’t going to let them go.



For more answers to alcoholism intervention questions go to Treatment