Tarzana Treatment Centers offers specialized treatment programs to address the various aspects of alcohol dependence and recovery. If you already know that you or a loved one needs alcohol or drug treatment, please call us at 888-777-8565 or contact us by email here. If you need more information, read below.

Alcoholism in the Family

In virtually every case of alcohol dependence or abuse, family and/or friends are affected. Harm is done to relationships whether the alcoholic is abusive or just annoying. Problems persist because alcoholics live in a delusional world where everyone only wants to deny him that one pleasure that alcohol provides. In some cases, professional intervention may be needed. Here are some tips to help get an alcoholic into treatment before a professional interventionist is needed.

Timing

Under no circumstances should an alcoholic be confronted about his drinking habits while drinking. The most obvious reason is that he may not remember the conversation later, so there is no point. Also, the only thing good to an alcoholic is alcohol. So it is likely that the idea of removing alcohol is a threat and will only upset the alcoholic. And even if he admits that he needs help, tomorrow is another day and it will be considered an emotionally rash decision.

The “morning after” is a good time, but intoxication may still be a factor. The “afternoon after” is better timing because he may still be suffering from last night. And he will probably be more receptive to confrontations about his behavior. Alcoholics develop a pattern. Choose a time that he is sober, receptive, and dealing with personal consequences of drinking.

Loving Confrontation

Loving confrontation is among the most effective means of getting an alcoholic to recovery. It also happens to be the most difficult. It is like saying, “I love you, but you are not you anymore!” It is very helpful to write a letter to the alcoholic during a binge, then put it away for 2 days and rewrite it during his sober moments. The letter can then be read to him using the timing chosen.

It is very important to remember that he might not remember drunken behaviors due to black outs. He also needs to know how family members feel due to his behaviors. This information will draw him out of his self-pity to see what he has done to the family. It cannot be stressed enough that he is being given this information out of love for him, and not what he has become.

Ultimatums

Truly the hardest part of this is insisting on treatment with major consequences if he chooses not to. Alcoholics do not respond to small consequences since they deal with them every day. He is also likely conditioned to empty threats. This is not uncommon as alcoholics tend to be manipulative. Family members must be prepared to physically break from an alcoholic in order to help him realize what alcohol has done to him.

Group up

It is imperative that an alcoholic is confronted by a group, preferably by surprise. This cannot be done alone. At minimum, a group of 3 is needed to support each other and not retreat.

These tips should help get any alcoholic into treatment. Professional intervention is available to those who feel they need it. Interventions, properly used, work in almost 100% of cases. This should grant confidence to anybody who fears the extreme nature of them.

Tarzana Treatment Centers offers specialized treatment programs to address the various aspects of alcohol dependence and recovery, including alcohol detox. We provide alcohol treatment in the San Fernando Valley, Antelope Valley, Long Beach, Reseda and Northridge. Please call us for alcohol or drug treatment at 888-777-8565 or contact us by email here.

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