When someone has an alcohol addiction (alcohol use disorder), it can be very difficult for them to take the step toward receiving addiction treatment. They might even be in denial that they have a problem or need help. Interventions for alcoholism can help your loved one receive the treatment they need. Learn how to hold an intervention and which tips to follow to ensure it goes smoothly. 

What is an Intervention for Alcoholism?

An alcohol intervention is a meeting that takes place among family and close friends with a loved one who has an alcohol addiction and needs addiction treatment. Interventions are carefully organized in order to be most effective and often include an independent third-party such as a counselor, addiction specialist, or mental health professional. 

The goal of an alcohol abuse intervention is to encourage the loved one to seek treatment for their addiction and to make a decision on whether or not they will attend treatment during the intervention. As part of the pre-intervention planning process, family members and friends conduct research on which treatment facilities might be the best fit for the loved one’s addiction. 

Steps for Holding an Alcoholism Intervention

Below are helpful tips for staging an intervention for alcohol abuse. 

Step 1. Make a Plan

Having a plan will increase your chances of the intervention running smoothly. Consider which family members and friends you would like to be part of the intervention team. It’s also a good idea to speak with an addiction specialist – they’ll be able to guide you through the planning process. 

Step 2. Collect Information

Family and friends who will be part of the intervention should research alcoholism to better understand the disease and identify any treatment programs they think might be helpful. Everyone can gather pricing information, enrollment details, and any relevant health insurance data in order to make it as easy as possible for your loved one to say yes to treatment. 

Step 3. Organize the Details

Host a pre-meeting with everyone who will participate in the intervention and choose a date to hold the intervention that works for each person. Decide in which order everyone will speak, what each person will say, and what action will be taken if your loved one refuses treatment for their alcohol addiction. As mentioned, it can be helpful to have an addiction specialist assist with this process. 

Step 4. Hold the Intervention

During the actual intervention, each person present will speak to the individual, sharing their feelings about their alcohol addiction and concerns they have. The addiction treatment option is presented and your loved one can choose to accept the treatment plan or deny it. 

Tips for an Alcohol Abuse Intervention

There are several key tips to follow during the intervention process to increase the chances of success. 

• Choose one person to lead the intervention (this can be a family member, partner, close friend, or addiction specialist).
• It’s important to avoid confrontation. This might be difficult, but the tone of the intervention should be calm, caring, and open. By having one person lead the intervention, it will be easier to create an environment where everyone feels they can speak.
• When choosing the date and time of the intervention, try to choose a time of day when your loved one will be sober. 
• Request that a decision about receiving alcohol addiction treatment be immediately decided while in the intervention. Your loved one might be tempted to say they want to think about it, or that they need more time, but the purpose of the intervention is to get them to agree to get help immediately. 

Alcohol Addiction Treatment Programs Can Help

Sometimes an intervention with family and friends is needed to help your loved one receive addiction treatment. Other times, the individual might make the decision on their own, or be legally required to participate. Regardless of the reasons, an alcohol rehab facility is an effective treatment method for helping individuals with alcohol addictions safely withdraw from alcohol and receive the tools they need for reaching sobriety. 

During an alcohol addiction treatment program, individuals will first go through a medical detox, which involves being medically supervised by professionals while they safely withdraw from alcohol. Once the detox is complete, individuals will participate in either an Outpatient Program, Intensive Outpatient Program, or Partial Hospitalization Program based on their exact needs. 

Harmony Outpatient: Get Treatment for Alcohol & Drug Addiction

If you or a loved one abuse alcohol, our team of compassionate professionals at Harmony Outpatient provides expert care to help you make the changes you need to pursue life-long sobriety. If you have any questions related to our alcohol addiction and substance abuse treatment programs, medical detox, finding treatment options near you, health insurance, or payment options, please feel free to contact us.