How to Conduct an Alcoholic Intervention Successfully
When the alcoholism of a loved one begins to strain the patience of those closest to them, it may be necessary to perform an “alcoholic intervention”. This is a process designed to confront the alcoholic – in a caring, yet honest way - about the damage their drinking is causing to themselves and to their relationships. Although popularly depicted as being organised and conducted by family and friends, an alcoholic intervention should only be conducted by or with the continued involvement of a trained substance-abuse counsellor. The reaction of the individual subject to the intervention can be unpredictable, and it is therefore necessary that a trained professional is present to deal with any unforeseen circumstances that may arise. The first step in organising an alcoholic intervention is therefore to seek the involvement of a trained professional.Depending on the individual approach of the counsellor, a group of people close to the subject (including close friends, family members, employers etc.) will then be contacted and asked to prepare some thoughts to be read out loud during the alcoholic intervention. The emphasis will generally be placed on getting these people to relate episodes from their own lives during which they have been adversely touched by the effects of the subject’s alcoholism. During this process, a date for the alcoholic intervention is set and the alcoholic may or may not be told in advance what is taking place (some counsellors believe that surprising the subject with an intervention may be necessary to reach them, others may take a more gentle approach). At the alcoholic intervention proper, the subject is sat down in a room with his (or her) family and friends, and one-by-one they read their prepared remarks out to the subject, conveying the extent to which the subject’s drinking has caused harm amongst those who care for him (or her) the most. The counsellor will oversee the process and gauge the reactions of the subject accordingly. The counsellor will generally try to ensure that the subject of the alcoholic intervention is not made to feel threatened or humiliated. Although the process is necessarily judgemental by construction, it is important to remember that the aim of an alcoholic intervention is to get the subject to seek help, and it is therefore important that the process does not make the subject feel marginalised or compelled to escape the process. The best approach, then, is usually for those present to be honest and firm, yet also compassionate and understanding.At the conclusion of an alcoholic intervention, the counsellor (with the support of the others present) will attempt to get the subject to commit himself or herself to a rehabilitative process, which may or may not involve medical intervention (i.e. enrolment in a rehabilitation clinic). To win such a commitment from the alcoholic does constitute a victory of sorts, but it should be remembered that an alcoholic intervention is just the first step in a long process. Actually ensuring that the alcoholic submits to and benefits from a process of rehabilitation is the real battle.
When the alcoholism of a loved one begins to strain the patience of those closest to them, it may be necessary to perform an “alcoholic intervention”. This is a process designed to confront the alcoholic – in a caring, yet honest way - about the damage their drinking is causing to themselves and to their relationships. Although popularly depicted as being organised and conducted by family and friends, an alcoholic intervention should only be conducted by or with the continued involvement of a trained substance-abuse counsellor. The reaction of the individual subject to the intervention can be unpredictable, and it is therefore necessary that a trained professional is present to deal with any unforeseen circumstances that may arise. The first step in organising an alcoholic intervention is therefore to seek the involvement of a trained professional.Depending on the individual approach of the counsellor, a group of people close to the subject (including close friends, family members, employers etc.) will then be contacted and asked to prepare some thoughts to be read out loud during the alcoholic intervention. The emphasis will generally be placed on getting these people to relate episodes from their own lives during which they have been adversely touched by the effects of the subject’s alcoholism. During this process, a date for the alcoholic intervention is set and the alcoholic may or may not be told in advance what is taking place (some counsellors believe that surprising the subject with an intervention may be necessary to reach them, others may take a more gentle approach). At the alcoholic intervention proper, the subject is sat down in a room with his (or her) family and friends, and one-by-one they read their prepared remarks out to the subject, conveying the extent to which the subject’s drinking has caused harm amongst those who care for him (or her) the most. The counsellor will oversee the process and gauge the reactions of the subject accordingly. The counsellor will generally try to ensure that the subject of the alcoholic intervention is not made to feel threatened or humiliated. Although the process is necessarily judgemental by construction, it is important to remember that the aim of an alcoholic intervention is to get the subject to seek help, and it is therefore important that the process does not make the subject feel marginalised or compelled to escape the process. The best approach, then, is usually for those present to be honest and firm, yet also compassionate and understanding.At the conclusion of an alcoholic intervention, the counsellor (with the support of the others present) will attempt to get the subject to commit himself or herself to a rehabilitative process, which may or may not involve medical intervention (i.e. enrolment in a rehabilitation clinic). To win such a commitment from the alcoholic does constitute a victory of sorts, but it should be remembered that an alcoholic intervention is just the first step in a long process. Actually ensuring that the alcoholic submits to and benefits from a process of rehabilitation is the real battle.
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