When all else fails to get an alcoholic to quit drinking and problems have become devastating to the person's life, family and friends, it is time for an intervention. But it is important to intervene in the proper way. Fortunately, through research and experience, experts have come up with ways to help an alcoholic realize that treatment is necessary after a constructive intervention.
Step 1
Contact several people who are important to the alcoholic and willing to help. You can include a professional from an area treatment center or someone from a self-help group who can provide expertise.
Step 2
Meet to discuss what to do at the intervention, appointing people to various tasks, such as selecting a detail person or team chairperson, say Jeff Jay and Debra Jay on LoveFirst.net. Discuss ways to point out problems and behavior without anger, blame or judgment. Go through an intervention rehearsal.
Step 3
List the ways you have tried to help the person in the past and write down all the negative consequences caused by the addiction problem. Every participant who plans to speak should write a short letter to the person.
Step 4
Prepare for the immediate step following the intervention. Evaluate treatment centers and make an appointment for admission. Identify objections the alcoholic may have about undergoing treatment and prepare for the correct responses.
Step 5
Rehearse the intervention again, verifying who will open with a statement, who will follow and how the meeting will proceed. Prepare a closing statement for someone to make.
Step 6
Devise a plan that guarantees the person will be at the place of the intervention. Arrive about a half hour before the alcoholic gets there. Have someone prepared to drive the person to a treatment center immediately following the intervention.
Step 7
Take turns reading letters or speaking on how the person's alcoholic behavior has hurt and been destructive without being judgmental.
Step 8
Tell the person the problem will end in disaster, such as losing a job or marriage, unless the drinking ends. The alcoholic is then faced with a decision on whether or not to get help.
Step 9
Call the treatment center to tell the staff if the alcoholic has agreed to an appointment and treatment. Collect all letters or notes and other information to bring to the alcoholic's counselor.
Step 10
Drive the person to the treatment center as soon as possible.
Tips and Warnings
- The most favorable time for an alcoholic intervention is following a terrible event, according to Alcoholics Info, an educational and informational resource. This might include situations such as a DUI arrest, stealing something or lying about a matter that is very important. The alcoholic is more likely to be remorseful and accept rehabilitation at that time.
- Even if the alcoholic accepts treatment, it does not mean it will be completed. The alcoholic may not be ready for therapy at this time or may be in the advanced stages of alcoholism. This can be a blow to family and friends, but the intervention could be helpful for the future as long as it is done with the proper planning and support of the people involved as well as help from an intervention expert.
