Alcoholism Recovery & Treatment

Question by skyblueyou: How do we do an alcoholic intervention with someone living in another state?
Hypothetically speaking, say my friend lives in the Midwest and his family and I live on the east coast. My friend has a serious illness and is an alcoholic who is in denial. He is drinking dangerous amounts of alcohol and his doctor is warning him about damage to his liver. He refuses to go to AA meetings. He has a legal disability that prevents him from getting around very easily. What kind of intervention should his family do if they live half way across the country?

Best answer:

Answer by Ginny Jin
If he’s in denial nothing. And especially since you can’t check what he’s stockpiling in his room. Realistically nothing. He’s not breaking any laws. You could inform social services if he is in danger to himself or the public.
You could ring up and have a chat but if you think it would change him well it would be easier for you to fly to the moon.

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Me and my hubby have been together 4 yrs. and have a 3 yr. old daughter and 2 yr. old son. Everything was good in the beginning,but for the past 2 yrs. he finds every little excuse to leave. If i say one little thing that he doesnt like,he will use it as an excuse to pack his crap and leave! I’m so scared to even talk around him,because i dont know if I will say something to make him leave. He leaves us about every 3 weeks, its like he has a schedule of when to leave! He stays gone a couple days and then calls me crying and begging to come back,saying the same story over again….that he’s sorry and he will change,and like a dumb a** I always take him back,well because I love him and the kids are so attached to him,they cry everytime he leaves.He has left us over 20 times,and I am so exhausted with trying to work things out with him.He has tried counseling but gave up after the 1st visit,I have asked him why he always leaves,he denies a drug/alcohol problem(even though he gets wasted everytime he leaves),and he denies having any affairs as well.He left this last time,and called 2 days later begging and crying saying he will go to counseling if I let him back.I’m scared too….I have heard it too many times before from him.Is it worth it to give him another chance or am I just setting myself up for failure again?

Ok, now before anyone starts preaching at me, believe me, I’ve been through enough hell the last week so I don’t need to hear it. Here’s the thing:
I was arrested last Fri. night and charged with DWI and reckless driving (wasn’t speeding but was swerving a bit). Spent the night in jail. License is temporarily suspended for 7 days until I appear in court (this Friday, the 29th). Last April I totaled my car and was charged w/ reckless driving and the cop told the judge that alcohol was involved, but not over the legal limit. I’m just wondering what I’m facing at this point. I have come to realize that I have an alcohol abuse problem (that I believe is caused in part by my problem with depression and anxiety/panic disorder) and I’ve contacted PCS today and set up an appt. to get some counseling for depression, panic/anxiety attacks and alcohol abuse. I’m not your typical alcoholic. I don’t have to drink every day or even every month, but when I do drink, I lose control and can’t stop. I don’t seem to be able to drink in moderation so I’ve decided I’m quitting drinking altogether to save my life, my marriage, and my family. Also going to give AA a try this Thursday. My question is….. what do you think the sentence will be and what should I say to the judge?