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National Intervention Services
Alcoholism is a predictable, chronic, progressive disease for which there is no cure.
There IS however, the ability to treat it/manage it and live in remission.
Afflicted might start having consequences (physical, emotional, financial, spiritual), emotionally pulling away from friends/ family.
Occurring again and again over time
Increasing in extent/ severity
Impairs normal functioning and typically manifested by distinguishing signs and symptoms
If individuals demonstrate or experience any of the following, this may be an indication that they have developed tolerance and dependency on alcohol:
At AR Intervention, one of the most common types of interventions we perform are for alcohol abuse. Unlike other types of substance abuse, many people do not consider alcohol to be a drug. Since it is celebrated in American culture and such an integral part of dining or socializing with friends, developing a dependency on alcohol happens all too frequently.
Although alcohol abuse is not as immediately dangerous as other types of drugs, such as cocaine, meth, or heroin, it can still result in significantly negative consequences in an individual’s life. Alcohol abuse can negatively affect many aspects of a person’s life. Some consequences may include, relationships suffering or collapsing completely, long term health issues, and an increased risk of developing cancer.
Due to the celebratory nature of alcohol, along with the sedating effect it can have, it is easy to understand how individuals can begin to abuse the substance. Eventually, some people may start to rely on alcohol as a maladaptive coping mechanism. Although alcohol abuse may be evident to family and friends, it is not uncommon for alcoholics to refuse to admit or even believe that they have an issue. Many alcoholics think they have their drinking under control, and that it is something they can stop on their own.
For people living in denial about their alcohol abuse, an intervention may be necessary. Loved ones of alcoholics often feel the weight of substance abuse and can have a difficult time confronting the issue. It is important to remember that if you or your loved one is suffering, you are not alone.
If there is someone in your life who is struggling with alcohol addiction, an intervention may be the very thing they need to realize the extent of their addiction and seek the support they need to break the cycle. If you or someone you know requires an intervention, contact our team of professionals today at (312) 625-0024. We are ready to listen, provide support, and answer any questions you have.
One of the most commonly asked questions by families who are considering an alcohol intervention is, “Am I overreacting?” Due to the nature of alcoholism, it can be difficult for families to discern whether an intervention is truly necessary. Some loved ones may be hesitant to confront the alcoholic. They may hold on to the belief that their loved one’s drinking is just a phase or that they will stop drinking on their own.
A good rule of thumb when determining whether or not your loved one has an alcohol problem, is to determine if they are suffering consequences from their drinking. If your loved one is experiencing problems at work or in the home as a result of their drinking, they may have a problem with alcohol. It is important to confront your loved one’s drinking problem before the consequences become out of hand.
Alcoholism is a predictable, chronic, progressive and fatal disease if left untreated. In many cases, alcohol abuse will get worse over time, which is why it is always a good idea to act on the side of caution in these manners. It is all too common for families to wait for their loved one’s relationship with alcohol to normalize or improve. However, when the alcoholic’s loved ones decide to finally intervene the person may have progressed into the later stages of alcoholism. At this point, the individual will have begun to experience psychological and medical issues that develop as a result of long-term alcohol abuse. If loved ones wait too long, staging a successful intervention becomes much more difficult.
The intervention process will vary based on the drug of choice, though most alcohol interventions consist of a 2-3-day process. First, our clinically trained interventionist speaks with the concerned party to gather information. After the initial call, if both parties agree to move forward, our team will develop a personalized plan. The intervention plan will include elements such as who should be involved, where and when the intervention should occur.
Our team is dedicated to preparing the family for the intervention and providing information about the disease of alcoholism. We will also discuss how to practice setting clear boundaries that will support your loved one. Boundaries will help ensure that you are supporting the alcoholic, not the disease.
If the intervention is successful and the alcoholic agrees to accept treatment, they will be transported to the predetermined treatment center as soon as possible. If your loved one refuses to seek treatment, those involved will have no choice but to accept their refusal. If this is the case, loved ones will be encouraged to follow through on boundaries established during the intervention process.
When it comes to staging an alcohol intervention, timing is everything. If your loved one is a daily drinker, timing is essential to the process. Once an alcoholic has progressed into the later stages of alcohol abuse, timing can come down to hours or minutes. Daily drinkers do not have the same flexibility of time that binge drinkers may have. If your loved one is a daily drinker, time is of the essence.
For example, if an intervention is staged first thing in the morning before the alcoholic has had their first drink the intervention will be challenging. It is likely that they will be too agitated and distracted to truly engage with the intervention. When alcohol dependency is extreme, having sudden withdrawal from alcohol can also put them at a higher medical risk of seizures.
On the other hand, if the intervention occurs too late in the day, they may be too intoxicated to properly engage with the intervention. Our counselors will work on developing an optimal time with you and your alcoholic to maximize the possibility of the intervention being successful.
If you or a loved one needs substance use or mental health support, call us today
Binge drinkers are another subcategory of alcoholics, and one that can be especially confusing and unpredictable. The loved ones of a binge drinker can have an especially difficult time with their behavior. A binge drinker is categorized as someone who does not drink every day. In fact binge drinkers may go weeks, months, or even years without drinking. However, once they do have a drink they are then unable to stop consuming alcohol.
Deciding whether or not to stage an intervention can be especially problematic for individuals who are binge drinkers because they can seem fine for so long and suddenly one night of drinking has resulted in alcohol poisoning, getting into fights, driving while drunk or other criminal activity, or something even worse. It is also common for each binge to become progressively worse, which is why early intervention is critical. Because people are more willing to give the binge drinker multiple second chances because of the extended periods when they are sober, they are statistically at a greater risk of danger of something significantly bad to happen compared to the daily drinker. This is why it is especially important to stage an intervention with a binge drinker within one or two months of their latest binge, as it will be much more difficult to convince them that they have a problem if they have not had a drink in the last six months. Again, when it comes to having a successful intervention, timing is everything.
Although the ultimate goal of an alcohol intervention is to convince the person to stop abusing alcohol, it is important to understand that alcohol is one of the most dangerous drugs to withdraw from, and in some cases will require medical care, as withdrawal will require the individual to be medically monitored during the initial process to prevent fatality. In certain cases, there is also an increased risk of suicide during this initial period.
If your loved one has agreed to stop drinking, they will most certainly undergo withdrawal symptoms, which typically begin to develop three to four hours after the last dose.
Individuals who are in the first phase of withdrawal may experience any of the following, either independently or in combination:
Although the ultimate goal of an alcohol intervention is to convince the person to stop abusing alcohol, it is important to understand that alcohol is one of the most dangerous drugs to withdraw from, and in some cases will require medical care, as withdrawal will require the individual to be medically monitored during the initial process to prevent fatality. In certain cases, there is also an increased risk of suicide during this initial period.
If your loved one has agreed to stop drinking, they will most certainly undergo withdrawal symptoms, which typically begin to develop three to four hours after the last dose.
Regardless of the type of intervention services you are seeking, our team is ready to provide a highly structured, comprehensive intervention approach. We pride ourselves on designing interventions that help families start the journey towards healing. Whether you or a loved one are suffering, we are here to support you.
Our approach is aimed at helping clients and their families understand the impact that their condition has on their lives. We are committed to ensuring that everyone in our care receives the support and compassion needed to make changes in their lives.
If you are in need of counseling services, our team of professionals is ready to provide a safe, supportive environment to help you address your substance use or mental health disorder. At AR Intervention, we are committed to ensuring you receive the care and support to begin your recovery journey. We understand that recovery may seem impossible at times. However, there is always hope for a brighter future free of addiction. Our counselors are ready to listen, provide support, and answer any questions you may have. Start your journey with us today!
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