Category: Alternative Treatment

Alcoholism Among Older Adults: What is Alcoholism

Alcoholism is a severe form of alcohol abuse. Meaning the person is unable to control drinking behaviors. If left untreated, the alcoholic can spiral out of control. This includes all areas of life are negatively affected. While drinking when of legal age is often a part of people’s lives, when drinking begins affecting things such as family, friends, finances, and personal health than it is likely a problem exists. For some this may come on slowly over time. While for others it may happen quickly.

When you think of an alcoholic you may have a certain image in your head. But the truth is anyone at any age can be an alcoholic. This article will focus on those older adults who are suffering from alcoholism.

Harsh Reality

Alcoholism among older adults has increased in past years in America. Drinking problems for those entering into their golden years are often misdiagnosed. Even overlooked simply because of age. Misdiagnosis is common because the symptoms of an alcohol addiction in older adults can mimic other issues. Such as depression with insomnia, anxiety, and mood swings.

So why do older adults who have never drank much in the past, suddenly turn to alcohol? The reasons behind alcoholism are varied. One specific cause may not ever be found, but for older adults some of the following reasons may come into play. Empty nest syndrome, when children grow up and move away, may lead to drinking for the parent. At about the same time, many people retire and stop socializing as much which can lead to drinking from boredom.

As adults age, deteriorating health and traumatic events can be triggers. Such as losing a loved one or friends due to health and moves can lead to drinking excessively. Finally, simple sadness over the life changes that occur in the aging population could lead to drinking. While none of these reasons are good cause to become an alcoholic or drink in excess, they may be premeditating causes to a problem.

Risk Factors for the Elderly

Though alcoholism does not discriminate, there are some factors that can increase the risk of alcohol abuse in seniors. Things such as being a chronic drinker. This can lead to alcohol abuse as drinking behaviors increase with the addition of time after retirement. Surprisingly, gender can also play a role. Reason being older women are more likely to develop dangerous drinking habits later in life. Unfortunately, frequent drinking for women can worsen common health problems like liver disease, cardiovascular issues, and high blood pressure. For both genders, chronic health conditions that are often diagnosed in old age can increase the chances of alcohol dependence.

Signs of Alcohol Abuse in the Aging

If you suspect an aging loved one is suffering from alcohol abuse, look for the following signs: Drinking as a way to deal with depression, mixing alcohol with prescription medications, becoming agitated when sober, and exhibiting typical signs of drunkenness. Additional signs may include lying about how much they drink, hiding liquor bottles, or putting themselves in danger due to drinking. If these sound familiar then seek help for your loved one. No matter the age, addiction is worth defeating. DARA can help, pick up the phone and get the information you need today.

CLICK HERE to get a Free Confidential Addiction Rehabilitation Assessment.

The Basics of Writing an Intervention Letter

If you have decided to have an intervention for a loved one or have been invited to take part in an intervention, you will quickly discover that interventions are highly rehearsed. This is important as emotions can run high during an intervention. In essence, family dynamics can actually work against the addict asking for help. If you are going to be part of an intervention, you will be asked to write a letter to the addict. This article is focused on what should be included in that letter for the best chances of success.

What does the Letter do

It may seem odd to some to write a letter to someone who will be sitting right in front of them. But for an intervention that is both a surprise and addressing a tough issue. It is important to remain focused, because letters help accomplish this. This letter is written ahead of time, which can be cathartic for the writer. This allows some emotions to be felt before the actual intervention. However, the letter can also serve many other purposes.

The letter can be a road map to keep the intervention on track, as the words are written right in front of you. Intervention letters may help you keep your emotions in check. This is to help avoid becoming excited or frozen. Perhaps unsure of what to say. Since the letters will be rehearsed ahead of time, the group can help perfect it to have the most effect. Plus, the letters can be sent with the addict to rehab to serve as a reminder of why they need to get better.

Writing the Letter

As mentioned, emotions run high during interventions. Sticking to a well written letter can help you keep from exploding in anger or forgetting your own words when they are needed most. When writing, you must remember that even a hint of anger or blame toward the addict can be fatal to the intervention. An addict will listen intently to see if this is the case. You can expect an addict to jump on the chance to argue and escape. The letters become scripts that must be closely guarded and read. Therefore, each letter should have several parts which will be described below.

Every letter should begin with a simple statement that shows love and concern. This should be straight from the heart. The next step is to share a specific instance in which you have been grateful for the addict. This can be in a situation or at a time they were helpful. It will likely catch the addict off guard to hear gratitude, and will help them to calm down and listen. Next, add a small section on what you have learned about addiction as a disease and how treatment can help. However, this may not be appropriate for every intervention letter. It depends on each case.

Moving forward, you should add a section about how the addict’s negative behavior has caused problems. This should not be written in a blaming way. You should add factual evidence that you saw firsthand. Furthermore, the letter should end with repeated love and concern. This way the format will be repeated by every member of the group.

Final thoughts

In writing a letter in this way you are showing the addict that you care and want what is best for them. However, at the end of the day only they will accept help. The letters can be sent to rehab with the patient as a reminder of why they are working toward sobriety. If you are part of an intervention, follow these guidelines to offer the best results for your loved one.

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How to Stage an Intervention

An intervention can be a stepping stone into getting your loved one into inpatient treatment. It is supposed to be a structured conversation between the addict, specialist, and loved ones. This conversation has a singular goal, though several steps are necessary to reach that goal. If you are planning an intervention for a friend or loved one make sure to properly stage it for the best possible results. However, you must remember that though an effective intervention may lead your loved one to rehab. It does not increase the efficacy of treatment, that is solely up to the addict.

When to Intervene

It can be a difficult decision to approach someone concerning their addiction and need for intensive help. Though many people mean well, they may not have the right words to express their feelings. The addicted person may also deny an addiction in every manner. However, there are signs that point to a strong addiction and a possible need for intervention. These outward signs may include borrowing or stealing money, aggressiveness, and being secretive. Other signs may include health issues and a lack of good physical appearance. Other signs include lack of energy at home, school, and/or work. You may also note other mental health issues like depression or eating disorders.

Staging an Intervention

If you are to the point that a loved one needs an intervention, then plan it correctly to allow for the most effectiveness. The first step is to call an intervention specialist. These individuals are trained professionals that will help you each step of the way. They keep the communication open and moving in the right direction. It is not recommended that friends and family even plan an intervention without a specialist.

Next, form the intervention group carefully. While loved ones should be involved, they should be able to handle intense moments and address specific needs. This may mean that the elderly or the very young should be excluded. After the group is formed, learn and rehearse. An intervention specialist will educate those members of the group on what may happen and how to handle the situation. The group members should then rehearse what they are saying to the addict. It’s important to do it with love, compassion, and concern. Avoid blaming and focusing on the past. Finally, choose an intervention meeting place and time that is familiar, yet non-threatening.

Moving forward with an Intervention

If the intervention is set and everyone prepared, then move forward. Plan for about 90 minutes for the process and be prepared for anything. Your loved one may react with submission or could become violent. If the intervention party feels threatened or in danger, call 911. The best you can do is be prepared having done your homework before attempting an intervention.

Hopefully your loved one will see the damages of addiction and seek help. Just remember, though interventions have been somewhat glamorized by reality television, they are real, raw, emotionally charged experiences that may or may not lead to rehab. If rehab is chosen, know that the person still has to be willing to admit a problem and stay clean and sober. An intervention is simply a step. Not a solution.

Looking to stage an intervention? Seek professional help and be clear about your goals. The future for your loved one may depend on it.

CLICK HERE to get a Free Confidential Addiction Rehabilitation Assessment.

A Poorly Planned Intervention can do More Harm than Good.

Interventions

An intervention can be a highly effective tool for making feelings known to a loved one who is an addict. The intervention offers a clearly defined opportunity for the addict to see that people care and that rehabilitation is an option. An intervention requires planning and having the right people and plan in place. Unfortunately, a poorly planned intervention can do more harm than good when it comes to the addict in your family.

Do Interventions Work

Interventions for drugs and alcohol have become quite popular in the world of addiction. While interventions can be helpful and have been to help people seek and receive help, they can also create problems. Some interventions can undermine relationships with friends and loved ones so much that the addict becomes worse. A variety of factors play into the effectiveness of an intervention. There is no way to be certain an intervention will be effective. This is a risk you must take if staging an intervention. However, the risks can be somewhat metered if the intervention is well planned and focused.

Interventions Explained

Basically, an intervention uses peer pressure to encourage an addict to acknowledge a problem and seek treatment that is appropriate for their situation. Typically an inpatient rehabilitation facility. During the intervention, friends and family gather in a surprise gathering to confront the addict and encourage treatment. Each member of the group outlines the ways in which they have been harmed by the addiction. These interventions are typically highly emotionally charged as the members not only outline the harm done. But also the consequences for not seeking treatment.

The harms and consequences are supposed to be highly specific. Though interventions are popular, there is no real data that shows effectiveness. Though the addict is more likely to enter rehab, the effectiveness of treatment overall is not affected. It is thought that the easiest option is to enter rehab and if the person is not fully committed. They are less likely to get better. As interventions are often a last resort for those who have struggled with addiction long term, the person may struggle even with a successful intervention.

Poorly Planned Intervention

Though interventions may be positive for some, a poorly planned intervention may actually cause damage. It can take only a few mistakes for an intervention to go badly. Mistakes that need to be avoided are things such as lack of direction, asking too many questions, blaming, and limited follow through.

Addiction has already strained family ties and friendships. Adding to that strain can send the addict into a downward spiral from which they may not recover. This simply means that when discussing options with the addict, the topic needs to stay focused without asking lots of questions and without assigning blame. Your loved one is probably overwhelmed and looking for an excise to get out. By asking too many questions or blaming, the addict may feel attacked. Not supported in their decision to go into treatment. Additionally, escalating tensions and dwelling on the past should be avoided. The point is to stay calm and focus on the future addiction free. Offer the addict a single option, immediate treatment with clear consequences if no follow through occurs. Without this the addict may get overwhelmed or choose an option that the family was not willing to accept.

Though interventions can help guide an addict into treatment, a poorly planned intervention can force an addict to run and seek solace in drugs and other substances. If you are staging an intervention, seek professional help and be clear about your goals. The future for your loved one may depend on it.

CLICK HERE to get a Free Confidential Addiction Rehabilitation Assessment.

Intervention Defined

While everyone has heard of an intervention, few actually know what it actually is in real life. Some television shows have glamorized or at least normalized interventions with the use of cameras and fake documentaries of the life of a drug addict. However few show the true functionality of one. When the concept first came about, it was thought to be a tool best used when the person had hit ‘rock bottom’. This was when that person’s life was adversely affected so much by addiction and behaviors that had become destructive. This would make someone consider rehab as a viable option. While this may be partially true, the outlook on interventions has changed over the years.

Now, addiction is seen as a recognized disease and not a series of bad choices. This means that addicts can receive help, medical intervention, sooner. This also means that rehab is no longer seen as a last-ditch effort. It is a step in the pathway to help.

An intervention is defined as a process by which the family, counselors or professionals, and friends show a person struggling with addiction. This will also include what negative impacts the disease has had on the person’s life. As well as those who care for that person. The intervention typically includes adult family members, the children of the addict, friends or colleagues, and significant others. Some choose to include a member of the religious community as well. It is also a good idea to have a person trained in the process of intervention and/or a counselor as a source of guidance and information.

Goals of Intervention

The whole purpose of the intervention is to help the person who has an addiction problem. The ultimate goal is to have that person enter a rehabilitation facility, typically as an inpatient. Though it may appear otherwise, the goal is not to gang-up on the person, but to demonstrate how their addiction affects others as well as themselves. The goal is for the person to see the need for rehab. If not, the intervention can serve as a warning that loved ones will no longer support the addictive behaviors.

When is it Necessary

An intervention may be necessary when the addiction is causing serious health risks to the addict. This is different for each individual. However, if a decline in health is noted then an intervention may be in order.

While some addicts may suffer from a host of ailments, they may vehemently deny that the addiction is the cause of such issues. This can be addressed in the intervention. Another cause is the effects on family and finances. If the family is affected negatively, which they always are, then this needs addressed. A failing financial situation is also cause for concern as this can take a toll of family. A final reason to stage an intervention is due to legal issues. An addict may not truly understand their addiction until legal problems, such as DUI or possession charges occur. If charges are being faced or have already brought about consequences, then a rehabilitation program should be discussed.

If you find yourself in need of staging an intervention then seek professional help. This is not something that should be entered into lightly or without extensive planning, the life of your loved one may depend on it.

CLICK HERE to get a Free Confidential Addiction Rehabilitation Assessment.