Addiction to Alcohol/Intervention

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Expert: - 7/14/2009


Question
I would like to know if there is any way that I can get an intervention for my son who is 33 years old and is an alcoholic. He is in denial. His drinking is making my life miserable. He is my only child. I have been through so many horrible situations with him and the problem is becoming more and more difficult to deal with. He lives with me and has no where else to go. I just wish that there was some way that he could be ordered to go get some help, is there? I have been trying to figure out some sort of way to get him to go, besides me trying to talk him into it. He does not work and has no insurance. Please someone help!

Answer
Hi Sandra,

Unfortunately there is no way you can force a 33 yr. old man to get help. He has to do it himself.

You can stage a family intervention, however. Everyone in the family must stand together and give him conditions ex. if he doesn't get help he has to leave the house and you refuse to support him any more. Everyone has to demand that he change his life, or they won't speak to him etc.....

Only the court can mandate him into treatment.

Hope this information is helpful,
Thank you for asking AllExperts

Stand firm in your demands,

Beverley Glazer MA.ICADC
Http://www.untwist-your-thinking.com

Addiction to Alcohol

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Beverley Glazer

Expertise

I can answer questions on all addictive behaviors: alcohol, drugs, food, compulsive sex, codependency, gambling, compulsive shoplifting etc.

Experience

I have over 20 years experience working in the addiction field. My experience extends to all levels of substance abuse. I've worked in rehabs and detox centers, prisons and half-way houses and have a busy private practice as well as an active website where I can be reached for recovery coaching and consultation. I am a cognitive behavioral therapist, but 12-step programs are an excellent support. When working in the addiction field, there is no cookie-cutter solution. In the recovery field, you witness miracles. That's why I love what I do.

Organizations
NAADAC The Association for Addiction Professionals, CACCF Canadian Addiction Counselors Federation, CCA Canadian Counseling Association, For more information please see: http://www.untwist-your-thinking.com

Education/Credentials
BA Psychology, MA Counseling Psychology, ICADC International Alcohol and Drug Counselor, ICAC International Clinical Addiction Counselor, CGC Certified Gambling Counselor.

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