‘Staging an Intervention’

[smooththecat]

New on this board. Looking for information regarding a friend and alcohol. Friend is someone I care about, but other friends are much closer, so I likely wouldn’t be directly involved.

It has become apparent that friend is in a very poor state with her alcohol dependence. I don’t know if it’s at the stage where her life is at risk, it’s certainly quite advanced. I’ve heard people speak informally about ‘staging an intervention’, is this something that is recognised and/or recommended? What does it mean? I’ve looked up what the NHS offer in terms of support, it seems very limited and I have little confidence.

Aside from my question on staging an intervention, is there any information that you’d recommend for me/other friends to look at? I don’t know how people can help, I’m aware that the people closest to her are unsure what to do.

This is something that happens in American drama series. Not real life.

If you are close, why not just talk to her.

If I were you, suggest one or two of those closest to her talk to her. Or offer yourself.

but not of the theatrics of an intervention

People are talking to her. The thing is it’s gone beyond what people can help with. I know you can’t help people who don’t want help, but she is trying to engage. It needs something more, some kind of rehab facility if not the intervention. Not anything against her will, obviously. She’d have to agree. It’s not not a kind of ‘functioning alcoholic’ situation.

I think let her family and other ‘closer friends’ talk to her - you sound like a right busy body who is enjoying the drama of this way too much already.

She has no family. I’ve reread what I wrote asking for advice and I can’t see anything that suggests I’m overly involved in this, quite the opposite, I made clear my position and I remained pretty detached. I’ll look elsewhere.

OP all you can and her other friends is try to support her not to drink but you can’t force her. She has to want to stop drinking or she won’t and she has to do it for her and recognise she has a problem with alcohol. Does her social life revolve around drink? Are her friends drinkers? Can you encourage her to get involved with activities that are not related to drinking? Try find out why she drinks as often it’s a coping mechanism.

There is nothing you can do sadly x

Wow, it's obvious the poster is just after a bit of advice and trying to find out what help is available. Busybody? Really? My mum is an alcoholic and it really isn't clear what help is available and what the best approach is. Based on my research there really isn't much you can do unless the person wants help. That is the first step, them wanting help. My mum has not yet acknowledged that her drinking is an issue sadly. Such a waste of her retirement especially as her whole family, children, grandchildren live on her doorstep and she doesn't see them.

Could you perhaps speak to AlAnon and ask those experienced people what would be the best thing to do?

Op you sound like a good, caring friend and NOT a busybody nor that you like the drama.
i hope you carry on being their friend.

I don’t think you are a busybody either OP. It’s natural to want to help. But as an ex drinker myself, it has to come from her. Be there when she’s ready to reach out, if she ever is. There really is nothing else you can do x