Alcohol Interventionist

Alcohol Intervention

As the name implies alcohol intervention deals with individuals who are addicted to alcohol. There are many kinds of intervention specialties and the structure of intervention is similar for most. However alcohol dependence and abuse is slightly different from most drug addictions. Care must be taken to find an expert in the field of alcohol intervention so people can experience the best results.

One of the reasons an Alcohol Interventionist should be consulted, is not all alcoholics are created equal. It is important for an expert to evaluate the drinking pattern and determine the best course of action. The two types of alcoholics are best described as the binge drinker and the daily drinker.

On a Binge

The binge drinker is someone who doesn't drink every day. They have most likely quit' several times before. For the most part they seem completely normal until they have that first drink. Once it hits their system they lose all self control and simply cannot stop. One drink leads to another and another. Unfortunately, with each successive binge their behavior gets worse. They may start fights use abusive language, stagger around and even drive drunk. The binge drinker can fly under the radar for a while. The times when they seem good convince loved ones they don't need help or that they can help themselves.

Daily Drinker

The other kind of alcoholic is the daily drinker. The daily drinker is never far from their next drink. They may start their cycle of addiction with an end-of-day martini or a six pack of beer, and from there they may drink in the middle of the night to fall back asleep. It is not uncommon for daily drinkers to drink to cope with stressful work situations. Soon they will wake needing that first drink to stop the shakes and other symptoms of dependency. By this point the alcoholic’s body is physically dependent on alcohol. Ironically, going cold turkey' without medical supervision and aid can cause heart attacks and even death for a person at this stage.

The Best Course of Action

Because of the differences between these two types of drinkers it is easy see why timing is everything when it comes to an effective intervention. For the binge drinker it is important to step in shortly after a binge.

For the daily drinker timing is an even greater concern. It is truly a question of hours. If you schedule a time with an interventionist in the morning it is likely the drinker will only be concerned with getting that first drink. They will be distracted by the pain of withdrawals and it will be very hard to get them to concentrate. If they wait too long however, and they may have a person so far gone they may not even be able to talk or stay awake.

Too Much to Handle

How does a person navigate all of these details? That is where a trained addiction interventionist comes in. An interventionist has the experience to walk the whole family through the intervention process.

Many think the intervention is just one day, but this is not the case. Intervention starts with assessing the family's concerns. The interventionist interviews loved ones, researches programs to fit each individual situation and then actually guides all interactions during the intervention itself.

An Alcohol Interventionist has specific training related to the challenges of alcoholism. In short they have heard it all. Because of that they can help families communicate their feelings as they relate to the addiction and show them how to reclaim the person they have lost by separating the alcoholic from their disease. After working through the stages of denial, anger and regret the interventionist firmly presents the recovery option. With the help of the specialist, the family can set real consequences and help them stick with them.

When a person is at their wits end and sees their loved one spiraling in a whirlpool of booze that is the time to contact an interventionist. In cases like these a person needs an unbiased perspective. They need someone who will not falter when it comes to saving their family and the life of their loved one. With compassion and clarity they can provide experience strength and hope. When all seems dark and unbearable hope is what is needed most.