Guidelines For Successful Alcoholic Intervention

Alcoholic intervention is a process that needs to be considered only when all your efforts of providing effective alcohol abuse help for the addict has failed. This is a meeting with a specific aim between the alcoholic and the people affected by his/her alcoholic abuse. They describe in details the impact of the drunken behavior and strongly request the addict to accept help.

Alcoholic intervention may be inappropriate if the person has not suffered any significant alcohol-related consequences or exhibit addictive capacities. Only attempt this process after other efforts have failed or if the individual's life is rapidly falling apart.

Use an experienced specialist to conduct the event. Everyone attending will most likely feel apprehensive. It is daunting for the addict who may not be ready to cooperate. Be prepared that the result of the alcoholic intervention might not be what you want. Even with an expert facilitating this alcohol abuse help session, it is the addict's desire to turn their life around that shapes the outcome.

As you prepare for the alcoholic intervention and request people to attend, various emotions will surface. Amidst the concerns, bring people's attention on making a difference to someone they care about in a loving and supportive way.

List six to ten people close to the alcoholic who have been greatly affected by the alcoholic abuse. Do not involve young kids. Do not include the spouse if he or she looks like a possible problem drinker. Friends that he spends time drinking with are also a poor choice of attendees. However, it can be highly effective for the employer to attend if any level of personal relationship exists.

If the employer participates in this alcohol abuse help session, it is effective for the boss to prepare the addict first. It could be a simple "I need to meet you tomorrow after work for a brief discussion about your drinking behavior. You're not being fired. We just need to talk about what's going on." The person will anticipate a conversation so will not feel ambushed. This will set a powerful context for the event and increase the chances of producing the desired outcome.

Plan the alcoholic intervention to take place when the addict is sober, perhaps a couple of days following a binge drinking. The person is most receptive to accept professional alcohol abuse help after a serious event, such as losing their job, spending time in jail for drunken fight or being convicted for stealing. Organize the intervention and prep people to be ready for when you think it is the right time.

For this sensitive event choose a neutral ground that is comfortable for everyone, especially the addict. Do not ambush or manipulate the person into it as he or she will shut down and be uncooperative. Be loving and supportive in this alcoholic intervention while you stand for the person to accept alcoholic help.

The goal of the alcoholic intervention is not to force a change or abstinence from drinking. The aim is to have the alcoholic accept and register into a specific alcohol abuse help clinic. Alcohol rehab institutions seldom accept people who simply walk-in without medical reference from their personal doctor so ensure you have pre-arrangements for your loved one to be admitted upon agreeing to receive the professional help.