Alcohol Intervention

Successful Alcohol Intervention Prepartion

The most important part of implementing a successful intervention for an alcoholic involves in-depth planning and a commitment from those who are closest to the substance abuser.

Parents, spouses, children, friends, and employers may be possible participants in the intervention. Alcoholism is a disease that effects those involved in the life of the alcoholic. These are the individuals who will hopefully be successful at breaking through the powerful denial that is so pervasive in the thought process of the alcoholic. The process of an intervention is founded on love and the hope that the alcoholic will seek the help they desperately need.

The participants will need to gather prior to the intervention to discuss honestly and openly how the alcoholic’s addiction has effected them. This will assist everyone in understanding the pervasiveness and seriousness of the alcoholic’s disease. Participants with chemical dependency issues of their own are discouraged from participating. Also, those who have deep anger issues with the alcoholic may also think seriously about being involved. The intervention process needs to be grounded in love and concern rather than vengeance or bitterness.

This is also the time to select a possible treatment center. Questions such as payment options for the treatment need to be discussed during this phase of planning. If there is no private insurance available or if there are no benefits included for chemical dependency treatment, private payment from the family or public assistance programs may need to be explored. The treatment programs should be evaluated by those participating in the intervention. Travel and financial considerations as well as Alcohol Rehab success rates are factors that will need to be discussed.

A treatment center decided on by the group needs to be contacted with arrangements for a possible admission depending upon the alcoholic’s decision following the intervention.

Inpatient treatment is typically recommended at this stage of the disease of alcoholism. If the family is concerned enough to conduct an intervention, the disease has usually progressed to a point of dire seriousness. The treatment center can provide a list of acceptable items that can be brought to the program. Someone needs to pack the items the alcoholic will need to go to treatment immediately following the intervention. Travel arrangements should be in place if the treatment program requires a commute.

Those participating in the intervention need to prepare written letters that chronicle how the alcoholic’s disease has affected their relationship. Consequences should also be outlined in each letter outlining how the relationship will change if the alcoholic chooses to decline treatment. The group should read the letters to each other during planning to edit out blame and judgment.