How Do You Plan a Loving Intervention When a Parent Needs Help?

What Are the Signs That My Parent Needs an Intervention?

Alcohol use disorder (AUD) is a progressive disease that can make it difficult to determine when someone’s drinking behavior has crossed the line into a problem that requires professional help. The Mayo Clinic states that AUD is characterized by a pattern of alcohol consumption that includes difficulties in controlling drinking, a preoccupation with alcohol, or the continuation of alcohol use despite facing adverse effects. Recognizing the signs of alcohol addiction can help you determine when an intervention for an alcoholic parent is necessary.

While some people may recognize their alcohol issues when confronted, others might deny them. An intervention helps by bringing together loved ones to express their concerns clearly, making it harder for the individual to ignore the consequences of their drinking.

Here are the signs that an intervention for alcoholic parents is needed:

• Escalating Alcohol Use: You observe an increase in how often, how much, or how intensely they drink. Since people with an addiction frequently conceal their substance use, you might not see them drinking. Still, you may notice they are often hungover or experience alcohol withdrawal symptoms like tremors, vomiting, or in severe cases, seizures.
• Neglect of Responsibilities: Their alcohol consumption is beginning to disrupt their daily life, such as missing work, failing to pay bills, ignoring household tasks, or not caring for their children or other dependents.
• Deteriorating Physical Appearance and Health: Signs may include changes in weight, poor hygiene, ongoing fatigue, unexplained injuries, or new or worsening health issues, especially those linked to alcohol abuse, like liver problems.
• Secretive or Dishonest Behavior: They may try to conceal their drinking, possibly by consuming alcohol at unusual times or becoming defensive when questioned.
• Behavior That Has Become Dangerous to Your Family: Alcohol abuse and addiction can lead to actions that endanger others, such as neglecting to supervise small children while intoxicated or driving under the influence with loved ones in the vehicle.
• Minimizing or Denying There’s an Issue: Even with clear signs, they refuse to accept that they have a problem or downplay its seriousness. They might justify their actions or blame others for their challenges.
• Multiple Unsuccessful Attempts to Stop Drinking: They may have vowed to cut back or quit altogether, even experiencing periods of sobriety, but ultimately, they relapse and revert to their previous problematic behaviors.

Who Should Be Involved in the Intervention?

Selecting the right participants to conduct an addiction intervention is crucial when organizing an intervention for a parent dealing with addiction. The aim is to establish a nurturing and secure environment where the parent feels supported rather than attacked, as the individuals involved will influence the intervention’s tone, results, and emotional impact.

Here’s who should be part of the intervention team:

• Close Family Members – This group consists of children (if they are of appropriate age and maturity), spouses, siblings, parents, and even adult grandchildren. Those who have been directly impacted by the parent’s addiction can share heartfelt insights about how it has affected the family as a whole.
• Trusted Friends – A long-time friend with a close bond to the parent can provide an outside perspective, as hearing concern from someone beyond the immediate family can help break down denial.
• Spiritual or Faith Leaders – If the parent is affiliated with a spiritual or religious community, including a pastor, priest, or faith leader can serve as a significant source of comfort and authority. Their involvement may offer both moral support and emotional reassurance.

Among these groups, selecting individuals who will contribute positively to the intervention is vital. They should be capable of staying calm under pressure and not becoming emotionally unstable, communicating with clarity, compassion, and control, and supporting the intervention’s goals.

Furthermore, those involved should not currently be using substances or have unresolved mental health challenges. It is also advisable to avoid including anyone the parent has negative feelings towards or a contentious relationship with.

Should I Hire a Professional Interventionist?

Although it may appear that you can manage an intervention independently with the help of caring family and friends, the complexities of addiction and the emotional intensity of these conversations often call for expert guidance. An expert interventionist can offer invaluable experience and an unbiased viewpoint, enhancing the chances of a successful intervention.

The Mayo Clinic states that an interventionist can assist you in organizing a productive intervention, from assembling the appropriate individuals to maintaining a calm dialogue and providing guidance on addiction treatment.

An interventionist is skilled in handling emotionally charged situations, mediating disputes, and ensuring the focus remains on persuading your loved one to accept treatment. They can help your family prepare by establishing clear boundaries, creating effective communication techniques, and even facilitating immediate entry into a treatment program.

Their expertise boosts the chances of your parent agreeing to receive help and offers essential support for the entire family. It is advisable to hire an interventionist if your loved one is deeply in denial about addiction or if previous intervention attempts have failed.

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What Are the Next Steps If My Parent Agrees to Rehab?

If the family intervention for a parent struggling with alcoholism proves successful and they agree to pursue professional assistance, it marks a significant and optimistic turning point. Here’s how to proceed effectively:

1. Choose the Appropriate Treatment Program: Opt for a rehabilitation center that suits your parent’s specific needs. Take into account aspects such as the severity of their addiction, any co-existing mental health issues, the nature of the treatment provided, and the facility’s stance on family involvement.
2. Coordinate the Admission Process: If they are willing to accept help, it’s crucial to act swiftly. Reach out to the rehab center and expedite their admission as soon as possible, as this reduces the likelihood of them changing their mind.
3. Make Arrangements for Their Absences: This can include taking care of children, pets, or other dependents, helping them notify their employer, and ensuring their home is secure while they’re away. This provides peace of mind while they’re away.
4. Prepare for Rehab: Assist them in packing a week or two’s worth of comfortable, modest clothing, alcohol-free personal hygiene items, medications, identification and insurance cards, and any comfort items they may need.
5. Continue Supporting Them During Recovery: Offer encouragement and motivation throughout their stay, including participation in family programs and therapy sessions provided by the facility.

Key Takeaways on Intervention for Alcoholic Parent

• An intervention for alcoholic parents gathers family and friends to voice their concerns and offer support, to overcome denial and encourage the parent to seek treatment.
• Key signs that indicate the need for an intervention due to an AUD include increased consumption of alcohol, deteriorating health, neglecting responsibilities, symptoms of alcohol withdrawal, and multiple unsuccessful attempts to stop drinking.
• When organizing an intervention for an alcoholic parent, it’s important to involve close relatives, trusted friends, and potentially spiritual leaders.
• Hiring a professional interventionist can help you guide a thoughtful intervention and help keep the conversation calm and focused.
• Having a rehab facility lined up and logistics in place can help ensure swift action if the parent agrees to treatment, reducing the chances of them changing their mind.

At Resurgence Behavioral Health, we understand that when it comes to getting help for a parent with alcoholism, it is essential to find a facility where they will be comfortable while getting effective care. We provide extensive alcohol rehabilitation programs in a nurturing and inviting atmosphere, complete with high-end amenities and private accommodations. Our clinicians develop tailored treatment plans that carefully lead individuals through medical detox while addressing the underlying causes of addiction using evidence-based methods and holistic strategies.

To begin the admissions process, our intake specialists at Resurgence Behavioral Health are on hand 24/7 at 855-458-0050.

Resources

• Mayo Clinic – Alcohol use disorder
• Mayo Clinic – Intervention: Help a loved one overcome addiction
• HelpGuide.org – Choosing a Drug Rehab Addiction Program