As parents, there is nothing that means more to us than our child’s health, happiness and advancement in life. Nothing. Even at their worst – when they roll their eyes, talk back, disobey or disrespect, as all children are bound to do at one point or another – we still love them unconditionally and strive to help them learn the hard lessons and remain on their path to prosperity.
When our children veer far off course and start hanging with the wrong crowd, neglecting important responsibilities and/or using and abusing drugs and alcohol, life starts to feel overwhelming, terrifying, even paralyzing. It can all feel so out of our control.
It’s during these times that we switch into overdrive and exhaust every avenue and resource to help our child wake up, quit abusing and return to a healthy mental and physical state. But what if they refuse help? What if they aren’t realizing the danger they’re welcoming into their life?
It may be time to consider some form of an intervention. Regardless if your child is a teenager, young adult or grown adult, there is a strategic way you can guide them toward recovery. Learn about what an intervention is, how they can help and the different types of interventions.
What is an Intervention?
An intervention is an organized gathering intended to help an individual:
- Realize the self-destructive choices they’re making
- Understand that their actions and behaviors are unraveling their life
- Recognize all the people – loved ones, family and friends – they are hurting by continuing to abuse alcohol
The approach of an intervention should be non-threatening. When the tone and atmosphere of the intervention radiates calm and compassion, there is a better chance for the individual who is abusing alcohol to receive the mediation more positively.
Typically, the goal of an intervention is to have the individual who is abusing alcohol listen and accept help of some kind.
How Can Interventions for Alcohol Abuse Help?
Alcohol abuse and addiction can be extremely hard to navigate when you’re on the outside looking in. Because alcohol abuse and addiction cloud a person’s mind, you may have realized your child can’t see that they have a problem, let alone acknowledge it.
When it’s your child struggling with substance use, a direct, heart-to-heart dialogue can be the key to igniting their recovery journey. This is where an intervention comes into play.
Alcohol abuse interventions are straightforward, focused approaches where people join forces to help an individual acknowledge they have a problem and to motivate an individual to seek help and get better.
3 Effective Types of Alcohol Abuse Interventions
Family-Based Intervention
When you’ve tried almost everything – such as confronting them at home, trying to reason with them, setting strict boundaries and following through on the consequences you set – and they’re still not coming around, it may be time to organize an intervention.
A family-based intervention is a good strategy to start with, as it can set the stage for every effort moving forward. It also gives family and friends a chance to empty their hearts and share important messages in hopes to break-through to their loved one.
While it’s vital that a family-based intervention comes from a place of love and communicates empathy, as previously stated, it’s important to note that your child still may not respond favorably to this initial intervention. Because of this possibility, it’s worth considering hiring an intervention specialist who is well-versed in planning and strategically executing interventions for alcohol abuse.
Additionally, hiring an intervention expert adds much-needed neutrality to a very sensitive and emotional situation. Especially since this is for your child, emotions and adrenaline will more than likely run high during the intervention, and a nonpartisan moderator will know how to effectively start, run and conclude the intervention.
The moderator can discuss the benefits of addiction rehab and present the different treatment options available to your child. During this segment, the moderator can:
- Help to remove the stigma around rehab
- Discuss how rehab will help your child reclaim control over their life
- Highlight how rehab can help your child heal their mind, body and soul
Community-Based Intervention
If your child is not ready for rehab, a next step from a family-based intervention is a community-based intervention.
One of the most widely-known community-based interventions for alcohol abuse is Alcoholics Anonymous (AA). Organizations like AA bring individuals together who share a common desire to stop drinking. A main benefit to community-based interventions is the genuine support and motivation individuals receive from peers to recover from their alcoholism.
Most AA chapters and meetings are open sharing sessions, where those in attendance are free and encouraged to discuss personal issues, struggles, worries and concerns.
AA meetings have helped millions of alcoholics realize the destructive path they’re on and make the decision to get additional help to overcome their alcoholism.
Individually-Based Intervention
One of the most personally demanding but incredibly effective interventions for alcohol abuse is individually-based. There are a few main forms of individually-based interventions, such as:
- Therapeutic counseling
- Non-intensive outpatient treatment
- Intensive outpatient treatment
- Inpatient treatment
While these forms hold key differences, they all work to resolve problematic behaviors, feelings, beliefs, choices, relationship issues and more. During the family-based intervention, the moderator can touch on the different individually-based intervention options your child can pursue. Beginning any one of these individually-based interventions is a big step toward recovery and your child growing into the healthiest version of themselves.
During an individually-based intervention, your child will work incredibly hard to change self-destructive behaviors and habits, identify substance use triggers, address and resolve painful feelings, strengthen relationships, set goals and much more.
Individually-based interventions are always confidential and held in a safe space. Each individually-based intervention route is rooted in the therapeutic process, empowering your child to not only move past their alcohol abuse issue, but to also start to live their best life.
Holistic Inpatient & Outpatient Treatment at Ranch Creek Recovery
Your child can stop the cycle of alcohol abuse and change their life for the better. Ultimately, this must start with your child recognizing they have a problem and wanting to get better. At Ranch Creek Recovery, we go beyond the normal twelve-step program and focus on tailor-fitting each treatment program to address each patient’s unique needs. It’s about individualization and holistic treatment at Ranch Creek, and your child can discover a new beginning here.
Learn more about Ranch Creek Recovery, including our alcohol addiction treatment program and dedication to individualized care. If you’re unsure which is the best route for your child, read our post on Outpatient vs. Residential Rehab to learn about both options.
Have questions? We’re here to help. Contact us today.
