How to Conduct An Alcoholic Intervention

Dee Cohen, LCSW
When someone you are close to is destroying themselves with alcohol, sometimes an alcoholic intervention can get through to them and be a catalyst for true change. It is painful to see someone making poor decisions and numbing their pain through the fog of alcohol abuse.

An intervention is when you several close friends and family members are gathered together and discuss in group with the alcoholic his situation. It takes preparation as it's best if each person writes a letter in advance that they bring to the meeting and read aloud to the drinker. The preparation also involves talking out how to deal with the objections that the alcoholic may have to attending a treatment center. There will always be attempts to postpone it.

Genuine concern and love are important ingredients for the participants to have. People that are full of anger or are still drinking are not the best to have at an intervention session. There needs to be a clarity of mind and a blend of compassion with firmness.


Show the person you truly care about him. Talk about what he's been missing out on in life due to the alcoholic fog. Get him to consider another level of living and healthier way to deal with the inner pain.

He may be in a lot of denial or have other objections. Keep showing your care at the meeting and pointing to the person you know he is and can become. Hopefully he'll agree to Alcohol Rehab Treatment and be willing to enter a program. The progam needs to be thought out and arranged in advance so someone needs to contact the insurance company and look into this before the meeting. Learn more about addiction at Alcoholic Behaviors to get past the old patterns and freed from the addiction rut.
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Dee Cohen, LCSW

Dee Cohen is a licensed social worker and certified yoga teacher in Florida. She teaches ways to implement breathing, yoga and meditation techniques to assist in reducing depression, anxiety and anger.

Dee also maintains a number of health related blogs and websites covering Articles on Drug Recovery ,Itchy Rashes, Women's Issues,Airport Travel Tips and Staying Calm Despite Challenges

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