How to Plan Family Intervention for Alcoholics
A loved one or family member with an alcohol problem is seriously addicted to a substance that can be harmful to himself and others. If you have tried to broach the subject with the alcoholic and only met resistance, an intervention may be necessary. These steps will give you a clear action plan in order to plan and successfully carry out a family intervention.
- Difficulty:
- Moderately Challenging
Instructions
Things You'll Need
- Contact information for local treatment center
- Intervention counselor
- Priest, rabbi or imam (optional)
- Packed suitcase
- Car
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1
Learn as much as you can about the disease of alcoholism. Look up articles online and talk to specialists. The more information you have, the less room the family member has for excuses or denial.
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2
Gather contact information for local treatment centers. Ask for the assistance of a trained intervention counselor. They will help you on how to approach the person, understanding his mindset, and will give support when you need it. You may also contact a priest, rabbi or imam, as a substitution for (or in addition to) a counselor.
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3
Make a clear plan of action. Schedule treatment to begin immediately after the intervention ends. Pack a suitcase for him ahead of time. Plan to drive him to the treatment center immediately. Cover all your bases so that the alcoholic has no room for excuses.
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4
Choose only family members, close friends or religious leader of your choosing to be part of the intervention. The intervention counselor may also be invited to sit in on the session, if desired.
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5
Talk to the alcoholic when he is sober and family members are able to be calm. Tell him in clear, specific sentences that this is an intervention about his alcoholism. Provide clear facts about the disease, the actions he has done, the reality of the situation and emotionally how his problem is affecting not only himself, but everyone who cares about him.
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6
Set consequences for inaction of the problem. State in clear terms what you will and will not do for him if he fails to get treatment and help. Only choose things you are truly willing to commit to---empty threats are useless.
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7
Offer hope and help in solving the problem. Utilize the actions in Step 3 and put them in motion immediately.
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1
Tips & Warnings
Have all plans of "escape" covered before the intervention starts. Alcoholism is a disease riddled with excuses, and you must be very careful in planning in order to eliminate any routes he may try to take in order to avoid treatment.
Pack only one small suitcase with loose-fitting clothes and a small personal item. Some treatment centers allow pets; ask if this is possible. Personal belongings will be checked, so pack as light as possible.
Talk with the other members planning to be involved before the intervention, in order to make a plan of action of who will speak, when they will speak, how it is affecting them, why they are there, what actions they intend to take in order to help.
Do not yell, scream, threaten or brush off the alcoholic during the intervention. The session will be emotionally charged as it is, but try to keep your emotions in check as it will only spiral the session out of control.
