In some cases, your loved one with an addiction may refuse the treatment plan. He or she may erupt in anger or insist that help is not needed or may be resentful and accuse you of betrayal or being a hypocrite. Make sure you choose a date and time when your loved one is least likely to be under the influence of alcohol or drugs. An intervention can motivate someone to seek help for alcohol or drug misuse, compulsive eating, or other addictive behaviors. Discover when to hold one and how to make it successful.

For men, this low-risk range is defined as no more than 4 drinks on a given day and no more than 14 per week. According to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse & Alcoholism , women who have no more than 3 drinks on a given day and no more than 7 per week are at low-risk for developing AUD. Continuing to abuse alcohol despite negative interpersonal or social problems that are likely due to alcohol use. Spending a lot of time obtaining, using, and recovering from the effects of alcohol. AUD or alcoholism is a chronic, relapsing disease that is diagnosed based on an individual meeting certain criteria outlined by the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5).

Types of Professionals Involved in Care

Individuals often hide their drinking or deny they have a problem. How can you tell if you or someone you know is in trouble? Spouses and children of heavy drinkers may face family violence; children may suffer physical and sexual abuse and neglect and develop psychological problems. Women who drink during pregnancy run a serious risk of damaging their fetuses. Relatives, friends and strangers can be injured or killed in alcohol-related accidents and assaults.

• There are many forms of trauma, but they are all painful events that take a toll on the mental health of the person struggling with addiction.
• We learned a lot about fetal alcohol syndrome and the risks posed by drunk driving.
• Alcohol withdrawal can begin within hours of ending a drinking session.
• However, it’s important to make sure you’re getting the support you need as well.
• Someone with alcoholism has both a physical and psychological dependence on alcohol.
• While not everyone who binge drinks has an AUD, binge drinking can be a very significant risk factor for the development of an AUD.

Deal with your loved one with love, respect, support and concern — not anger. Be honest, but don’t use the intervention as a forum for hostile attacks. Here, you can decide who will speak when, sitting arrangements and other details, so there’s no fumbling during the real intervention with your loved one. It also may be appropriate to ask struggling with alcohol addiction your loved one to seek support from a group such as Alcoholics Anonymous. If the program requires travel, make arrangements ahead of time — consider having a packed suitcase ready for your loved one. It’s very important to consult an intervention professional if you suspect your loved one may react violently or self-destructively.

Addiction Treatment Programs

While it can be frustrating, it is unambiguous and leaves no room for misinterpretation. Excessive alcohol consumption can interrupt normal brain and organ function, and takes an overall damaging toll on your physical health. It can also make it difficult to maintain healthy eating and sleeping patterns, which can cause further harm to your well-being. Now in recovery for over 15 years, Robert Downey Jr.’s career seems to continue improving the longer he stays sober, making his comeback a very impressive and inspiring story. According to the 2017 National Survey on Drug Use and Health , 51% of the population aged 12 and older reported binge drinking in the past month.