Welcome Law Student

OREGON ATTORNEY ASSISTANCE PROGRAM s IN SIGHT for Oregon Lawyers IMPROVING THE QUALITY OF YOUR PERSONAL AND PROFESSIONAL LIFE

September 2004 INTERVENTION CAN port to the alcoholic. Over the years, brief Issue No. 55 SAVE AN ALCOHOLIC’S informal interventions can sometimes LIFE make a difference, but not all alcoholics will respond to this approach. If the dis- People used to believe that alcoholics ease has progressed too far, an informal had the ability to control their drinking, intervention may not be able to penetrate but they just weren’t willing to do so. the alcoholic’s highly developed defense Now we know that alcoholism is a pro- systems. gressive neurological disease strongly in- fluenced by genetic vulnerability. We A crisis intervention is more immedi- also know that willpower is as powerless ate and forceful. When a crisis occurs, to alter the neurochemical changes in al- the event can be used to persuade the al- coholics as it is to stabilize blood sugar coholic to get help. Examples of crisis fluctuations in diabetics. situations related to alcoholism include hospitalization caused by intoxication, a Concerned family members and drunk-driving charge, a potentially vio- friends of an alcoholic can help the alco- lent child custody situation, or a suicide holic by learning about the disease of al- attempt. The crisis intervention focuses coholism and the symptoms associated attention on the underlying cause of the with its early, middle, and late stages. emergency – neurological addiction to the Once the alcoholic’s family and friends drug alcohol – and then directs the alco- understand the true nature of the disease, holic into alcohol treatment. they are able to see that the addiction – not the alcoholic – is the true enemy. A formal intervention generally in- They can then help the alcoholic fight the volves several weeks of planning and preparation. The first step is to find a OREGON disease of alcoholism. One way to help counselor who will guide the family mem- ATTORNEY the alcoholic accept treatment is to use a ASSISTANCE technique called intervention. bers through the intervention and treat- PROGRAM ment process. The process is likely to in- TYPES OF INTERVENTIONS 503-226-1057 clude a meeting with the alcoholic; inpa- 1-800-321-OAAP Intervention is a technique designed tient or outpatient treatment; participa- www.oaap.org tion in 12-step programs; and regular ses- to “bring the bottom up” before alcohol sions with an addictionologist, clinical Lawyers destroys everything of value in the Helping Lawyers alcoholic’s life. The approaches vary, but psychologist, or certified alcohol and drug counselor who understands the neu- • Alcohol & Chemical the general concept is to persuade the al- Dependency coholic to get treatment. In treatment, the rophysiological nature of the disease. The • Career Change & alcoholic’s denial – a primary symptom of counselor can also assist with making all Transition the arrangements necessary to carry the disease – can be broken down by let- • Gambling Addiction ting the alcoholic know that he or she is through with the plan. In addition, the • Mental Health loved and that friends and family members counselor can educate the participants about the disease process, encourage • Procrastination & are concerned about his or her behavior. Time Management them to build up a support system, and A free, nonprofit, An informal intervention is one in act as a clearinghouse for community re- confidential program which physicians, friends, and colleagues sources that help families cope with alco- for you. individually offer their concern and sup- hol-related problems. IN SIGHT SEPTEMBER 2004

EFFECTIVE APPROACHES sober, but last Wednesday, I commented on your drinking, and you slapped me several times. I The process of helping an alcoholic to help him- was shocked and hurt. I still have the bruises on self or herself often includes a face-to-face meeting my face. I love the person you are when you’re in which family members, friends, and concerned not drinking. Please get help.” others confront the alcoholic with specific facts pointing to the devastating impact of alcohol on the • Vivid details are particularly effective because alcoholic’s life. Here are the essential elements in- they give the alcoholic a wide-screen view of volved in this type of meeting: his or her behavior at a particular point in time. Videotapes and that show • The facts and data must be presented by people the alcoholic drinking or intoxicated are very who are close to the alcoholic or exert a powerful convincing because they leave no room for influence on the alcoholic’s life. Examples denial. include family members, friends, bosses, supervisors, co-workers, physicians, and clergy • Arrangements for assessment and treatment members. should be made in advance by the professional counselor who assists you, so that if the • Specific firsthand evidence is especially alcoholic agrees to accept help, the process can convincing. The most powerful evidence begin immediately. describes events that have happened or conditions that exist. Use “I” statements, rather Conducting one or two rehearsals or practice than opinions, generalizations, or accusations. sessions can help the discussions go much more For example, “I was really sad when you were smoothly. When family and friends are properly edu- late for my birthday party because you had been cated and the facts are carefully gathered and lov- out drinking with friends.” ingly presented, this approach can be extremely ef- fective. • Everyone involved in the intervention should avoid moral judgments and any tone of censure. RESOURCES All the facts presented should be used to support the reasons that the family members and Whether intervention consists of the informal friends are concerned. Here is an example: act of telling an alcoholic that you care about him or “Jane, three weeks ago this Saturday you her and are concerned about his or her drinking, or insisted on driving Alison and her friend to a the formal act of family, friends, and treatment pro- slumber party. You had been drinking wine all fessionals meeting with the alcoholic to outline their afternoon. I tried to take your keys away, but concerns and present a step-by-step course of ac- you got very upset, yelled at the kids to get in tion, the goal should always be to give a gentle but the car, and drove off. I waited in agony for you firm push toward accepting help. to come home, scared to death that you would all If you are concerned about the drinking of some- be killed in a car wreck. I know how much you one you know, call one of the attorney counselors at love your children and how devastated you the Oregon Attorney Assistance Program. They can would be if anything happened to them. I want help with arranging an intervention, discussing you to get well. We all want you to be healthy treatment options, and guiding you to other re- again.” sources. • Whenever possible, the facts should center around the use of alcohol. Highlighting the Katherine Ketcham and William F. Asbury contradictions or conflicts in values caused by

drinking can make the point even stronger. Here This article has been excerpted and adapted with per- is an example: “I’ve seen how your personality mission from Chapter 9 of Beyond the Influence: Under- changes when you drink, and it scares me. I standing and Defeating Alcoholism, by Katherine Ketcham know you are not a violent person when you’re and William F. Asbury (Bantam Books, 2000). Ms.

2 SEPTEMBER 2004 IN SIGHT

Ketcham is also the author of Teens Under the Influence: The Truth About Kids, Alcohol, and Other Drugs – How to Recognize the Problem and What to Do About It (Ballantine Books, 2003).

3