1. Stop all "rescue missions."
Family members often try to protect an alcoholic from the results of his or her
behavior by making excuses to others about his or her drinking and by getting
him or her out of alcohol-related jams. It is important to stop all such rescue
attempts immediately, so that the alcoholic will fully experience the harmful
effects of his or her drinking--and thereby become more motivated to stop.
2. Time your intervention. Plan to
talk with the drinker shortly after an alcohol-related problem has
occurred--for example, a serious family argument in which drinking played a
part or an alcohol-related accident. Also choose a time when he or she is
sober, when both of you are in a calm frame of mind, and when you can speak
privately.
3. Be specific. Tell the family
member that you are concerned about his or her drinking and want to be
supportive in getting help. Back up your concern with examples of the ways in
which his or her drinking has caused problems for both of you, including the
most recent incident.
4. State the consequences. Tell
the family member that until he or she gets help, you will carry out
consequences--not to punish the drinker, but to protect yourself from the
harmful effects of the drinking. These may range from refusing to go with the
person to any alcohol-related social activities to moving out of the house. Do
not make any threats you are not prepared to carry out.
5. Be ready to help. Gather
information in advance treatment options. If the person is willing to seek
help, call immediately to speak with a program counselor. Offer to go with the
family member to help them with getting enrolled and starting a
program.
6. Call on a friend. If the family
member still refuses to get help, ask a friend to talk with him or her, using
the steps described above. A friend who has recovered from alcohol abuse may be
particularly persuasive, but any caring, nonjudgmental friend may be able to
make a difference. The intervention of more than one person, more than one
time, is often necessary to persuade an alcoholic person to seek help.
7. Find strength in numbers with
the help of family members, relatives, friends and a counselor to confront an
alcoholic as a group. For more information on family alcohol and drug
intervention, please visit our site at www.family-drug-intervention.net
.While this approach is effective, it should only be attempted under the
guidance of a counselor who is experienced in this kind of group intervention.