Alcohol Addiction Recovery

QUESTION: How can I aid a loved one in alcohol addiction recovery?

ANSWER:

An intervention plan is one way to aid a loved one in alcohol addiction recovery? The purpose of an intervention is to break through the addict’s denial so that he or she can experience a moment of truth, admit their addiction, and accept help. Keep in mind that one of the hallmarks of addiction is denial. That is why interventions are so effective, because they confront the addict with the truth. It presents to the addict the life-changing opportunity to see the depth of their problem, to accept responsibility, and to agree to seek proactive change.

Interventions require the loving cooperation of family members and careful planning. Successful interventions always lead to action. Most addicts need to be admitted into detoxification programs, followed by therapy and support groups.

Refraining from enabling the addict is another way to aid a loved one in alcohol addiction recovery? Close family members often abet the addict’s behavior in order to cope with the chaos of the home environment. Because people are not meant to be in relationships with others who are out of control, the mechanisms used to cope are often unhealthy. Unfortunately, many family members of addicts become codependent. A codependent is a person who is obsessed with another person’s dysfunction by way of: control, manipulation, scolding, enabling, or rescuing. It is crucial for family members to admit their own dysfunctional pattern and seek help themselves. These boundaries allow the addict to take responsibility for his or her actions and the family members to take responsibility for theirs.

Praying for wisdom is needed to know how to aid a loved one in alcohol addiction recovery? “If you need wisdom -- if you want to know what God wants you to do -- ask him, and he will gladly tell you. He will not resent your asking” (James 1:5). Jesus is the only one that can heal and restore broken lives. He is our best ally when dealing with the complexities of life and relationships.

Let love be your driving force. If you need to forgive the addict in your life, do so. That will free you to intervene with a clean heart and pure motives. “There are three things that will endure—faith, hope, and love—and the greatest of these is love” (1 Corinthians 13:13).