Watching a loved one or friend struggle with an alcohol use disorder (formerly referred to as alcoholism) can be emotionally challenging. It is normal to feel hopeless and helpless to help. Fear and apprehension take over when you consider talking to them about their drinking, as you don’t know how to communicate without pushing them away or saying the wrong thing. You are not alone. Every year, millions of American’s struggle with an addiction to at least one substance. Family and loved ones are key to helping them realize they need help to overcome their addiction.
What Is an Alcohol Intervention?
An intervention is an important, sometimes life-saving event organized by the friends and family of someone struggling with alcohol addiction. An actual intervention is far from the visions Hollywood puts on reality television shows. The goal of an alcohol intervention in California is to help your loved one realize they have a problem, need help, and have a strong team of support willing to stand behind them throughout the process.
An alcohol intervention is a carefully planned process during which friends and family members of someone struggling with alcohol addiction present their emotions and feelings about their loved one’s addiction and how the addiction hurts everyone. Data presented by the National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence, nearly 90% of people, seek help for their addiction after an intervention.
How Do I Know My Loved One Is Addicted to Alcohol?
Addiction is a very individual illness, and each person who struggles with an adverse relationship to alcohol will experience different symptoms. Some signs of alcohol addiction may be easy to recognize, but others may be far less obvious. Left untreated, chronic abuse of alcohol can lead to significant physical and behavioral effects. Knowing the warning signs to look for can help you better ensure you or a loved one gets proper treatment as soon as possible.
Although varied in intensity and severity based on the person, the common signs of alcohol addiction include:
- Cognitive difficulties such as short-term memory loss and blackouts
- Mood swings-especially when unable to drink
- Making excuses for drinking
- Choosing to drink over other important responsibilities and obligations
- Drinking alone or in secrecy
- Becoming isolated from family and friends
- Feeling withdrawal symptoms when not drinking
- Changes to appearance and social circles
- The inability to reduce or stop drinking even if you try
How to Do an Alcohol Intervention in California
For an intervention to be successful, it is important to focus on the positive to every extent possible. Blame shifting, accusations, and hurtful statements may cause your loved one to walk out of the intervention or refuse to seek help.
A successful intervention can help your loved one to understand how their condition and behaviors affect their loved ones; a successful intervention can accomplish this goal in a healthy and productive way. There are various ways to ensure better opportunities for success when having an intervention for your loved one. Suggestions for a successful intervention include carefully choosing participants, selecting a neutral location, creating a script, and practicing your script. As difficult as it may be, it is also vital to try to control emotions and body language during the intervention. Giving in to the urge to argue or place blame may derail the process. Also, it is helpful to have a plan B. Not all interventions are successful the first time around. If you do not see immediate results with your first attempt, do not give up.
Here at Cal Recovery Center, we understand the emotional challenges experienced when a loved one succumbs to alcohol addiction. Someone with a substance use disorder may be in denial about the harm their addiction causes themselves and their loved ones. However, intervention and addiction treatment services at Cal Recovery Center may help them understand how addiction impacts their physical and mental health while often hurting those they love most. Overcoming addiction with the help of an alcohol intervention in California is possible with the help of the treatment team here at Cal Recovery Center. Contact our admissions team today to learn more about our facility and our treatment services.
