Watching a loved one struggle with alcohol abuse can be hard.
Although you want to help and support them, it can be tough to figure out the best way to do so.
One of the most effective ways to care for your loved one is through an intervention, but planning one can be stressful.
Read to find out more about exactly what alcohol abuse and alcohol dependence is and how and when to plan a successful and productive intervention.
A person diagnosed with alcohol abuse is not yet physically dependent on alcohol; however, if alcohol abuse is left untreated, it can progress to alcohol dependence. Alcohol abuse isn’t a reliance on alcohol but exhibits some of the same signs and can easily progress.
Alcohol abuse is the habitual use of alcohol that interferes with someone’s responsibilities and day-to-day activities. Someone who suffers from alcohol abuse will continue using alcohol despite its negative effects on their life.
Alcohol dependence is a chronic disease more commonly known as alcoholism. Alcohol dependence results in uncontrolled drinking and comes from a steady decline from alcohol abuse. If left untreated, it can affect the person who has been diagnosed and many of their friends and loved ones as well.
There are many symptoms of alcohol abuse that manifest in various areas of a person’s life.
BEHAVIORAL SYMPTOMS
MENTAL & EMOTIONAL SYMPTOMS
Aside from behavioral symptoms, there are mood related symptoms such as:
These symptoms vary depending on the person and his or her form of alcohol abuse.
One of the hardest things about alcohol abuse is identifying when there is a problem and when you should take action.
You can usually identify when it’s time to intervene if you or someone you know might be facing health, family, financial or legal issues due to your/their abuse of alcohol.
Health Issues
Even a single binge drinking event can result in serious health issues. Someone who is struggling may exhibit heath issues such as chronic digestive and stomach issues, constant fatigue, muscle cramping and weakness or chest pain.
Alcohol abuse can also increase your chance of developing seven different types of cancer such as mouth, throat, voice box (larynx), esophagus, liver, colon, rectum and breast.
Family and Financial Issues
These issues include neglect of family and responsibilities, children start struggling in and out of school due to co-dependence of the alcohol abuse, an increase in spending on alcohol and alcohol related activities and forgetfulness to pay bills resulting in late fees.
Legal Issues
Forty percent of violent crimes committed are under the influence of alcohol.
Between 2006 and 2016, more than 10,000 were killed in drunk driving accidents. Every year, 1.1 million Americans are arrested for drunk driving.
Sometimes, someone struggling with alcohol abuse is unable to see the negative impact that it is having on their loved ones and their life as a whole. Because of this, there might be a need for an intervention.
An intervention is a useful tool to help guide whomever is dealing with alcohol abuse into recovery.
Here is our simple guide to planning an intervention.
An intervention is designed to hold a mirror to someone’s behavior to help identify that there is a problem. Here are some tips to have an effective and productive intervention:
Sometimes organizing an intervention can be a stressful and emotional task for loved ones and friends. We understand that. We want to let you know that it’s okay to ask for help.
Ascension can help design a plan and facilitate the intervention to alleviate the stress of organizing an intervention. This situation can be overwhelming, especially for those who are foreign to it.
Ascension is here to help through every step including intervention and recovery services.
To learn more about our addiction intervention services, download our guide below.