Confronting An Alcoholic
Confronting an alcoholic or an intervention is something that is dreaded by most people, yet it needs to be done. The need to confront the person you are concerned about, either as an individual or as part of a group, stems from genuine anxiety, but unfortunately the alcoholic in question is often not able to recognize that. Therefore, when it comes to confronting an alcoholic, a lot f thought must be given to it and things must be planned with care.
First, if you are contemplating confronting someone you care about who has a bad drinking problem, remember the thumb rule – never bring up the topic when he or she is under the influence of alcohol. Wait till you are sure the person has been sober for a while and will be in the right frame of mind to understand that what you and the others are saying are for his or her own good.
There are certain guidelines that you should follow before you confront an alcoholic, so have a word with the concerned doctor or a specialist who treats people with alcoholic disorders.
Getting in touch with your local AA group and asking them for help is a good idea to get started. People with experience in handling such interventions can arm you with all the relevant information and resources you would need to handle the situation as best as you can. If getting in touch with somebody from AA is not a feasible option, you could also talk to a licensed therapist, or a counselor.
Though confronting an alcoholic may be done as per general guidelines, it is advisable that you take into consideration the specific conditions or situations involving the alcoholic in question and his or her family members. This will bring out specific concerns for discussion, and the entire exercise can then yield the best possible results.
Another crucial factor that you must pay particular heed to when planning a confrontation is the timing. Expressing your displeasure or concern when the person is not in the correct frame of mind can only aggravate the situation and not help it. He or she will not be able to absorb anything that you say, and shall not even remember the discussion the following morning! Also, criticizing an alcoholic has never worked and never will, so you must avoid using harsh words at all costs, when confronting an alcoholic.