Strategies
The strategy that is used to intervene when someone is addicted to alcohol is either confrontational or non-confrontational. Each of these intervention strategies has it’s benefits and it’s downsides as well. A confrontational strategy of intervention can lead to feelings of shame, hurt or anger that result from the confrontational approach whereas a non-confrontational strategy may not be effective for all addicts because it’s too laissez-faire. It’s important to understand how each of these intervention strategies can help your loved one before you make the decision to stage either type of intervention.
Confrontational Intervention Strategies
A confrontational intervention is one in which the family comes together without the knowledge of the addict and takes the steps to stage an intervention. During the intervention, the family members will portray just how bad the addiction is, letting the addict know of all the negative effects that the addiction has had on them as a whole as well as on the individual. Often times, the individual will be so caught up in denial that he or she does not even see the negative effects that are happening to them.
The downside to a confrontational intervention strategy is that the addict could have feelings of anger or hurt that come from the family’s decision to talk behind their back, plan an intervention and involve others in their personal lives. The benefits to this type of intervention are focused primarily on the fact that a confrontational approach is usually effective at getting the addict to accept treatment.
Non-Confrontational Intervention Strategies
Using a non-confrontational approach, the family will decide to intervene on themselves and seek support to change the entire family system in an effort to help their loved one make his or her own decision to get help. Non-confrontational strategies of intervention take place when the family decides to get together to take part in educational sessions and counseling that is aimed at helping to promote healthy change and to alert each family member to their role in the loved one’s addiction. The addict is invited to attend the intervention with the other family members but not forced into the situation.
A non-confrontational intervention strategy is not always an effective method of intervention because some addicts are so stuck in denial that they will not come to the intervention. The non-confrontational strategy may be too lax for some addicts who need more of a push in the right direction. However, for some, a non-confrontational approach is ideal because it allows them to make their own decision to seek help and it also provide extensive help for the family members and loved ones to break the cycle of addiction in the entire family system.
