Overcoming Alcohol Addiction Through Intervention

Friends and family are often puzzled by an alcoholic’s unwillingness to acknowledge and address his or her drinking problem and inability to stop – especially when the drinking has disrupted and damaged numerous areas of the alcoholic’s life: job, financial stability, interpersonal relationships, health, etc.

Addiction research, however, has demonstrated that alcoholism and drug addiction are more complicated than lack of willpower; recovery from alcohol addiction often requires both personal commitment and professional support.

Perhaps more than any other addictive substance (like prescription meds or illegal drugs), alcohol has been thoroughly integrated into American social and even business culture; consumption of alcohol is not only accepted but also sometimes actively encouraged by others in a person’s circle. This can make social situations feel difficult and awkward for a recovering alcoholic, which is why professional help is often crucial to equipping the person in recovery with the skills and coping mechanisms necessary to resist temptation.

Before this can happen, however, the alcoholic must first voluntarily enter treatment; although laws vary by state and situation, in an overwhelming majority of cases, well-intentioned family and friends cannot force someone to go to rehab. But this does not mean that loved ones are powerless. In many cases, alcoholism is perpetuated by those in the alcoholic’s life who, in trying to help, enable the problem to continue. Instead, family and friends can join together to withdraw all financial and emotional support unless the alcoholic opts for rehab. This is called an alcohol intervention.

An opportunity to confront the alcoholic about the issue while simultaneously emphasizing a genuine desire for his or her health and well-being, an alcohol intervention should ideally occur as early into the progression of the addiction as possible. Although not a requirement, having a professional guide your intervention can be advantageous for many reasons. In addition to awareness of and connections to local and national rehab facilities, an interventionist can help the family prepare for the alcoholic’s likely responses to being pressured to get help.