Tips for conducting a one-on-one intervention to help an alcoholic?

Question

I sense that someone dear to me is slipping back into heavy drinking/alcoholism. I am so scared for him, he could end up losing everything he's worked so hard for! I want to conduct a one-on-one intervention--but I am no specialist. I really care about him and do not want him to become defensive or angry.

What I want to do is give him a bunch of wallet sized photos of his children and ask him to look to those as a source of strength. But then I'm wondering should I also include article bits about the dangers of drinking?

Answer 1

1. Don't give the impression that you are negotiating options, have a clear objective, and stick to it.



2. Alcoholics and Addicts are liars, and caught up in a habit of self-deception and deceiving others.



3. Do not try to accomplish yourself what properly belongs to a physician or mental health professional.



4. Generally speaking, alcoholics and addicts will not change until there is no other option.



5. The person will become angry and defensive and if you cannot handle this reality, you should not participate in an intervention.



6. Alcoholics and addicts lose all sense of priority in terms of the things that are really valuable in life, do not be surprised is your appeal to things like children, friends, or even their own life and safety fall on deaf ears.



7. Be objective. Simply point out the facts about the person's drinking and tell them what the course of action should be-- appeals to emotions will simply be used by the alcoholic or addict to manipulate the situation and deflect attention away from the real issue.

Answer 2

I hate to tell you this, but this sort of thing usually fails. Most successful interventions are conducted by professionals, who know what they are doing, and even then it is difficult.



I would strongly suggest that if you want to help your friend, you attend some Al-Anon meetings in your area and ask for some input there.

Answer 3

I agree . . . flow to Alanon. I hesitate to assert this, yet by skill of no longer being employer inclusive of your husband, you're permitting his use and making some undesirable possibilities that endangered your infants. permitting him to force impaired with a new child isn't a stable selection. one way replaced into to tell him NO, and to tell him if he endured you will possibly call the police. You pronounced you and the infants's existence revolves around his 24/7 ingesting. it is only "loopy" to confess that and nevertheless stay around. Alchoholism does not only result the alchoholic ... your occasion shows the way it outcomes the full family. Alanon will make it easier to understand that. If he persists you truly might might desire to "provide up" on him. His dating isn't with you or the infants. His "family" is his booze and ingesting friends. An invtervention might paintings . . . it certainly is truly worth it to take the possibility. yet you may desire to shield your self and the infants.

Answer 4

Tip # 1: Mind your own business. Has he asked for help? Leave him alone.