Times of clarity open up an opportunity for an effective intervention for alcoholism, with the outcome of getting your loved one into treatment.
The challenge with alcoholism vs. illicit drugs is that alcohol is a legal, socially acceptable substance that creates little to no problems for those who consume responsibly, partake less often and drink in moderation. With legality and social acceptance comes denial and feelings of entitlement. It is not uncommon to hear a heavy drinker rationalizing and justifying their behavior with alcohol in a variety of ways, and many families struggling with alcoholism invest far too much in listening to their loved one's false promises or making excuses for their behavior.
Compared to other addictive substances, the abuse of alcohol leaves the user with a little more comprehension and clarity. Unlike drugs like crystal meth, alcoholism has real peaks and waves, due to the fact that most alcoholics do not stay drunk every waking moment. These times of clarity open up an opportunity for an effective intervention for alcoholism with the outcome of getting your loved one into treatment for alcoholism.
“There are pockets of time where the alcoholic can comprehend what you're saying, can reason with you, and can make decisions on their own. These times of clarity open up an opportunity.”
It's not always easy to determine whether a drinker is merely abusing alcohol or is truly an alcoholic, physically addicted to alcohol. The heavy use of alcohol can result in a wealth of problems and negative consequences for a loved one, and the chronic drinker who abuses alcohol has a good chance of becoming an alcoholic down the road.
Alcoholism is the physical addiction to alcohol, defined as having the symptoms that come with physical addiction. In the face of mounting problems with physical health, mental health, careers, social interactions and family issues, the alcoholic will continue to drink and drink and drink.
Sudden alcohol withdrawal can be medically dangerous, even deadly, for a physically dependent drinker. Detox should always happen under medical supervision.
Families rarely call us after the first bad night. They call after years of watching the pattern repeat. If your family recognizes these signs, that is the signal that outside help is needed.
The role of a professional interventionist is to raise the bottom. Our professional alcohol interventionists help the family stop enabling patterns, prepare a unified message of love and boundaries, and use one of those windows of clarity to invite your loved one into treatment with a plan already in place. An intervention for alcoholism is a process and not just a one-time event: once your loved one says yes, arrangements for treatment are already made, and our sober transport service makes sure they arrive safely.
From there, families often continue with case management and family recovery work so the whole household heals, not just the drinker. If you have a loved one abusing alcohol or struggling with alcoholism, call our experienced team at (850) 563-9776 or visit our contact page. We provide free consultations and advice to every caller, and general education on alcohol use disorder is available from the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism.
It is not always easy to tell, and the label matters less than the pattern. Alcohol abuse and alcoholism are the two major categories of problem drinking, and a chronic drinker who abuses alcohol has a good chance of becoming physically addicted down the road. Either way, if drinking is damaging your family, it is worth a call.
Because most alcoholics do not stay drunk every waking moment, there are pockets of time where they can comprehend, reason, and make decisions on their own. A professional intervention is planned to use one of those windows of clarity, with treatment arrangements already in place.
Sudden alcohol withdrawal can be medically dangerous, even deadly, for a physically dependent drinker. Detox should always happen under medical supervision, and planning for safe detox is part of how we navigate treatment for your family.
One confidential conversation with a professional interventionist. No pressure, no obligation. We'll help you find the right next step for your family.
