| Alcohol is both a fad and an addictive habit, which | | | | websites also offer substantial amounts of information |
| wrecks havoc in the lives of not just those who | | | | about successful drug intervention. Another source of |
| consume it, but also those directly or indirectly related | | | | help and support are help lines that are operational all |
| to these people. Consuming alcohol often starts out | | | | 24 hours of the day, offering all types of assistance |
| either as a social habit or to get respite from problems | | | | and advice. |
| and worries. But once started it is a habit that cannot | | | | Ideally, alcohol intervention must begin sooner rather |
| be shaken off and consumption levels consistently | | | | than later, as old habits do die hard. It may also require |
| increase. The end result is that alcohol begins to take | | | | considerable amount of time and energy from the |
| its toll on health, efficiency, ability to work and | | | | partner initiating the intervention process. This would |
| concentrate, behavioral changes and even displays of | | | | include positive conversations, creating a warm, |
| violent temper. The sufferers with all this are innocent | | | | positive environment, ensure lack of idle time by |
| children and women who become victims of abuse. | | | | starting activities of interest, avoidance of nagging and |
| They might silently endure or try to use interventive | | | | also roping in other family members to create a |
| methods of reducing the person's intake of alcohol to | | | | suitable environment for the person to successfully |
| permissible levels at least. | | | | shake off his bad habit. If it is found that the habit is |
| Alcohol intervention involves reaching out to the alcohol | | | | linked to work-related stress then, even the office |
| addict, and being able to convince him or her about the | | | | colleagues can be taken into confidence to provide |
| ill effects of their consumption habits. Intervention is | | | | assistance and support. The severity of the addiction |
| considered to be successful if the addict agrees to | | | | eventually determines the extent and quality of |
| accept treatment and sincerely follows steps listed to | | | | intervention. New addicts can be weaned off alcohol |
| help out of his addictive habit. Unfortunately, most | | | | with comparative ease, as opposed to those who |
| alcohol addicts remain blissfully unaware of the | | | | have been in the habit for long. The bottom line is that |
| damage their habit can lead to, and tend to justify the | | | | whatever the time span of alcohol consumption |
| expense as well as the time wasted in the exercise. | | | | beyond permissible limits, it can cause severe |
| Intervention can be initiated by a family member, a | | | | damages physically and emotionally on the person |
| friend or well-wisher, who could even turn to | | | | himself and just as much, if not more, on his family |
| organizations that conduct regular intervention | | | | members. |
| programs for alcoholics and drug addicts. Scores of | | | | |