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You’re likely to start by seeing your primary health care provider. If your provider suspects that you have a problem with alcohol, you may be referred to a mental health provider. Treatment can be done via an outpatient or inpatient program and may be a combination of both. Many inpatient programs accommodate their patients how to do an intervention for an alcoholic with 24/7 medical oversight and provide access to on-call medical and psychiatric services during their stay. Outpatient treatment usually meets several times per week for several hours per day. Outpatient therapy typically offers many of the same groups and services as inpatient treatment, but you can still go home at night.
- Be persistent—several encounters may be needed before the patient becomes motivated and committed to change.
- After successfully completing rehab, your loved one will be referred to various on-going treatment programs in your community.
- A professional interventionist can advise on the best approach for your loved one and provide support throughout the intervention process.
It’s common for someone with AUD to try to blame their drinking on circumstances or others around them, including those who are closest to them. It’s common to hear them say, “The only reason I drink is because you…” John C. Umhau, MD, MPH, CPE is board-certified in addiction medicine and preventative medicine. For over 20 years Dr. Umhau was a senior clinical investigator at the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism of the National Institutes of Health (NIH).
How to Stage an Alcohol or Drug Abuse Intervention
Substance use disorder is a primary, chronic, and progressive disease that sometimes can be fatal. No matter your background or expertise, your loved one will likely need outside help. You may still want to help your loved one when they are in the middle of a crisis. However, a crisis is usually the time when you should do nothing. When someone reaches a crisis point, sometimes that’s when they finally admit they have a problem and begin to reach out for help.
They are led by health professionals and supported by studies showing they can be beneficial. Many people with alcohol problems and their family members find that participating in support groups is an essential part of coping with the disease, preventing or dealing with relapses, and staying sober. Your health care provider or counselor can suggest a support group.
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They help people stay focused on their goals and avoid temptation. A better bet is to use this time to develop a detailed action plan and identify strategies that will help them conquer their alcohol addiction. This might include examining the sort of lifestyle changes they’ll need to make or researching types of treatment and treatment facilities. This is a good time for setting goals — an activity that helps to strengthen their commitment to change.
Alcoholics are highly unlikely to admit their problem and seek professional help right away. Instead of hoping for an immediate solution, start with opening up communication channels with your loved one. For example, if you’re wondering how to help an alcoholic family member, show them you care and have the best interests in mind. By doing this, you will provide suitable grounds for progress during your next meeting. There are several stages of recovery from alcoholism – and there might be several stages of persuading dependent individual to enroll in the treatment program.
Alcohol Rehab Aftercare and Ongoing Support
Avoid Becoming codependent
Don’t get so involved in the process that you find yourself being dragged along the same road the addict is taking. You don’t have to deal with the inner demons or come face-to-face with the hidden flow of emotions the addict throws your way. Connect with the substance abuser on a level where you can retain your sanity and objectivity. Let them know their actions are hurting your relationship
Be gentle and straightforward. When thinking about the ways to help an alcoholic, leave the accusatory ‘you’ tone out of the conversation.
- The best treatment option for your loved one depends largely on the depth of their drinking problem, the stability of their living situation, and any other health issues they may be facing.
- Are you tired of seeing them burning bridges with their friends, spiraling down deeper into their addiction?
- There are several models of substance use disorder interventions.
- Staying calm might even prompt the person in front of you to cool off and listen to what you have to say.
When you abuse alcohol, your brain changes so you crave it and feel you need it to function. It can be nearly impossible to stop drinking on your own, even if you want to. It may be hard for you to imagine being addicted to alcohol—maybe you can have an occasional glass of wine and be fine.
Alcohol detoxification
Keep in mind that someone with alcohol dependence usually goes through a few stages before they are ready to make a change. Until they begin to contemplate quitting, any actions you take to “help” them quit will often be met with resistance. You may tell yourself that surely there is something you can do.
At each of AAC’s treatment centers, a caring and compassionate addiction treatment team develops an individualized treatment plan for your loved one based on their needs. To learn more about the rehabilitation services we offer, visit our addiction treatment centers page. 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.