Staging a Successful Alcohol Intervention
Organizing and conducting an alcohol intervention can be a challenging process, but it can also be an important step in helping someone recognize and address problematic alcohol use. Here are some tips and strategies for staging a successful intervention:
- Plan Ahead: Interventions that are carefully planned often involve the help of a qualified professional, such as an addiction specialist, substance abuse counselor, psychologist or medical provider if taking prescribed medications is part of the treatment plan.
- Form an Intervention Team: Support systems often include a small group of close friends and family members who are concerned about the person’s drinking. It’s important to choose people who can stay calm and focused during the intervention.
- Gather Information: Learn about the extent of the individual’s problem and research the treatment options available.
- Decide on Specific Consequences: If the individual refuses to seek help, each person on the intervention team can decide their role and what action(s) they will take – for example, establish boundaries such as not providing alcohol, not drinking together or limiting financial support.
- Write Impact Statements: Each intervention team member should prepare a short statement about how the person’s drinking has hurt them personally. These should be honest, but not judgmental or attacking.
- Hold the Intervention Meeting: During the meeting, each team member can take turns expressing their concerns and feelings. The individual can then be presented with a treatment option and asked to accept that option on the spot.
Effective Follow-Up after Staging an Intervention
After an alcohol intervention, it’s important to continue supporting and following up with the individual to ensure the person gets the help they need and stays on the path to recovery. Here are some effective follow-up steps and strategies to support them in taking the next positive steps forward.
- Provide Continued Support: If the intervention is successful and the person agrees to seek treatment, it’s important to follow up with the individual. This may include:
- Helping them find a support group and/or treatment center with programs to provide ongoing support to help the person stay sober (for example, 12-step groups or sober living homes).
- Attending therapy sessions with them.
- Encouraging the individual to stick with their treatment plan and take prescribed medications.
- Continuing to express your love and concern and being there to listen when they need to talk.
- Provide and Maintain a Sober Environment: It’s important to create a safe, alcohol-free environment for the individual. This can help reduce the temptation to drink. This might involve removing alcohol from the home or encouraging other household members to abstain from drinking.
- Set Boundaries: Establish clear boundaries and expectations. This can help the individual understand the consequences of their actions and encourage them to stay sober.
- Be Reassuring: Recovery is a long process and there will likely be setbacks. It’s important to be reassuring, patient and understanding during this time.
- Educate Yourself: Learn as much as you can about alcohol abuse and recovery. This can help you better understand what the individual is going through and how you can support them.
- Avoid Enabling: It’s important not to enable the individual’s drinking habits. Enabling may look like:
- Providing them with alcohol.
- Covering up for their mistakes.
- Making excuses for their behavior.
- Encourage Healthy Habits: Encourage the individual to adopt healthy habits, such as regular exercise, a balanced diet and adequate sleep. These changes can all contribute to and support their overall well-being and recovery.
- Stay Positive: Maintain a positive attitude and celebrate small victories. This can help motivate the individual to continue with their recovery.
Remember, recovery is a journey, not a destination. Even when things get tough, it’s important to be patient and understanding and to continue providing emotional support. Don’t forget to take care of yourself. Supporting someone through recovery can be challenging, so be sure to take care of your own mental and physical health as well.
Resources
If you need help to quit or limit your drinking, the Department of Defense provides screenings to help identify what type of support you need and what treatment would work best for you. They offer inpatient, partial inpatient and outpatient treatment options.
Military OneSource
Support for Military Personnel & Families | Military OneSource is a DoD supported service offering 24/7 confidential support and are specialized in helping military members, families and veterans. Services are provided CONUS and OCONUS via call-in, live chat and text on their website and mobile app.
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration
You may also call the U.S. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) National Helpline at 1-800-662-HELP (4357). SAMHSA’s National Helpline is a free and confidential treatment referral and information service (provided in English and Spanish) for individuals and families facing mental and/or substance use disorders and is available 24 hours a day, every day of the year. Check out additional resources for Service members here.
