At first glance, alcohol addiction may seem less fatal than addiction to drugs or tobacco.
Despite this, alcohol addiction is one of the leading contributors to poor health, negative lifestyle choices, and abuse. 95,000 people die from alcohol-related causes annually, a statistic that doesn’t account for other emotional and physical damages in an alcohol addict’s life.
Thankfully, alcoholism is a treatable issue.
Alcohol intervention is one of the key steps to breaking the pattern of substance abuse and removing the addict from harmful or triggering environments for treatment. Finding professional alcohol addiction help can seem intimidating.
This article will walk you through the symptoms of alcohol abuse, the difference between alcohol abuse and alcohol use disorder (AUD), and how to choose between the types of alcohol intervention treatment depending on your needs.
Symptoms of Alcohol Abuse
Alcohol is such a commonly consumed substance that it’s not always easy to tell when casual drinking has crossed the line into addiction. Here are a few main symptoms of alcohol abuse to help you differentiate between healthy and unhealthy drinking behaviour.
- Consumption Quantity. How much are you drinking? Alcohol consumption quantity should be considered in conjunction with demographics, dependency level, and more. For women, excessive drinking is more than eight drinks a week and for men, it’s more than fifteen. If you’re drinking more than that on a consistent basis, you may be abusing alcohol.
- High Blood Pressure. Knowing when you have high blood pressure is tricky. In the short term, there may not be immediate symptoms, but in the long run, you might experience negative effects like heart disease and strokes. You should be getting your blood pressure checked on a regular basis, at least once a year if you’re over forty years old.
- Irregular Heart Rhythms. Palpitations in your heart, whether beating too quickly or too slowly, manifest as a fluttering sensation in the chest. This may lead to dizziness, lightheadedness, or serious issues like heart failure or cardiac arrest. Overconsumption of alcohol can cause you to experience these symptoms during drinking sessions.
- Anxiety. 20% of people with social anxiety already suffer from alcohol dependence of some level. Although alcohol is often considered a “social lubricant”, consuming too much alcohol to relax will backfire on you and lead to increased levels of anxiety. Drinking rewires your brain, messing with your neurotransmitters and negatively impacting your long-term anxiety levels. For people who have anxiety, this could create a negative emotional feedback loop.
Many addicts develop an alcohol dependency due to unhealthy emotions in other parts of their lives. While drinking can provide a temporary respite from stress, long-term health problems end up exacerbating the issues that led to drinking in the first place.
Alcoholics will usually end up spiralling into a worse place than they started.
This is why alcohol intervention is essential for stopping addiction before it becomes more serious. Recognizing these symptoms early on and acting to stop them may prevent worse health issues from manifesting over time.
Difference Between Alcohol Abuse and Alcohol Use Disorder
When researching alcoholism, you may have noticed this term popping up occasionally: “alcohol use disorder”. What is alcohol use disorder, and how does it differ from alcohol abuse?
Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD) is a chronic disorder in the brain characterized by an inability to curb or stop alcohol use despite consequences in one’s health, lifestyle, and career. To qualify for treatment, you must satisfy specific criteria outlined in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders:
- Drinking a greater quantity or for a longer time than intended.
- Persisting want or multiple failures to cut down alcohol usage.
- Cravings to consume alcohol leading to inability to concentrate.
- Extended sickness from drinking too much.
- Losing the ability to care for family members, hold down a job, or function in school.
- Continued alcohol consumption despite it causing issues with loved ones.
- Giving up important occupational, social, or recreational activities due to alcohol use.
- Landing in dangerous situations due to drinking and continuing to abuse alcohol.
- Continuing alcohol use despite realizing that it causes or exacerbates a physical or physiological problem (e.g. anxiety, heart palpitations, faintness).
- Developing a tolerance so that it a) requires larger quantities of alcohol to achieve the same level of intoxication or other desired effect or b) consuming the same amount of alcohol as before results in a diminished level of intoxication or other effects.
- Experiencing withdrawal symptoms from alcohol and/or consuming substances to avoid withdrawal symptoms.
The types of alcohol use disorder are mild, moderate, or severe.
- Mild: Two to three symptoms in the above list.
- Moderate: Four to five symptoms in the above list.
- Severe: Six or more symptoms in the above list.
No matter which category someone falls under, they’ll likely suffer from debilitating alcohol use symptoms, which can cause plenty of issues. It’s important to treat patients at every level of severity.
So with this in mind, how do you distinguish alcohol abuse from AUD?
Terms like “alcohol abuse” and “alcoholism” are non-medical terms used to describe someone with alcohol dependency, regardless of whether or not they fit the medical definition for alcohol use disorder. AUD, on the other hand, needs to be diagnosed by a professional and is a useful categorization for customizing treatment plans for their patients.
To summarize:
| Alcohol Abuse | Alcohol Use Disorder | |
| Medically Recognized? | x | ✓ |
| Severity Levels? | N/A | MildModerateSevere |
| Chronic? | Sometimes | ✓ |
| Diagnosed by | Family, friends, etc. | Medical professionals |
Even if the addict’s loved ones can clearly tell they have a case of alcohol abuse, they should still receive a diagnosis of alcohol use disorder before proceeding with treatment.
Criteria in Choosing Professional Alcohol Abuse Interventionists
Now that you have a clear understanding of alcohol use disorder, it’s time to take a look at how you can select the right interventionist for alcohol addiction help to jumpstart their recovery.
First of all, what is an intervention? Within the framework of addiction, an intervention is a structured conversation focused on encouraging your loved one to seek alcohol addiction help. A common structure is friends and family meeting to confront the addict and giving them reasons to seek out treatment or ways they might support this person in their fight against addiction.
How do you know if your loved one needs an intervention? This is a highly individual question. Generally speaking, an intervention is a great idea when the family is highly aware of their loved one’s addiction and actively wants to help them recover. Anyone with an AUD may be eligible for interventions, although consulting with an interventionist in your area may help you decide whether or not your loved one should receive one.
Some families decide to stage an intervention on their own. However, this can be an overwhelming process with risk factors. For example, how can you prevent the addict from becoming defensive? What are the best next steps?
Having a neutral professional interventionist present can bridge the gap between an addict and loved ones, opening up a healthy dialogue about seeking treatment for their alcohol use disorder. Knowing how to pick the right interventionist for your needs is key when you start your search.
Here are some criteria you should use when choosing professional alcohol abuse interventionists:
- How much do they charge? Fees vary across interventionists, and your family will want to figure out upfront what services you can afford. Requesting quotes will help you find the average price point in your area and understand what you should be spending.
- Which intervention model do they follow? There are many valid intervention models. Make sure your interventionist has a clear framework they work from and is able to adapt to changes in the situation.
- What are their credentials? Interventionist credentials may differ by nation. For example, CIP is standard in the United States. Find out what kind of certifications or education your interventionist has before employing them.
- Do they have experience treating individuals with the subject’s history/background? Your loved one may have a different level of AUD, history of mental illness, violent instances, severe mood fluctuations, suicidal ideation, or more. Depending on their mental health and substance use background, you may need an interventionist with that specific area of expertise.
- Which treatment centres do they refer to? Your interventionist should know the best treatment centres for your needs and be able to provide a reference to transition into an abuse treatment program.
- Will they continue to support the addiction recovery process after the intervention? An interventionist’s job is supporting not just the subject, but their loved ones through the experience of dealing with addiction. Having someone who checks in and helps friends and family regulate their feelings can improve the odds of success for the addict as well, due to improving their environment.
- Do they have references? You want an experienced interventionist with a track record of successful entry into treatment. Be sure to check their references to see their success rate.
Research before you commit to one interventionist. The right person can improve the odds of a great recovery drastically. What’s right for one family may not work for another.
Types of Alcohol Abuse Treatment Centres and How to Choose Them
Addiction is a disease, not a choice, and every kind of disease requires the right type of healing. Picking the right kind of alcohol intervention treatment centre for your loved one isn’t always the simplest process. There are pros and cons to each type of treatment. Here are a few of the main treatment categories:
- Public. Public rehab centres are funded by the government. Compared to privately run programs, public programs tend to be far cheaper and therefore more accessible. They are a great option for people who can’t afford expensive treatments.
- Private. Private alcohol abuse treatment centres are private institutions not funded by the state. They tend to be more expensive and have improved customization, so they’re a better option for those who can afford expensive treatment and want a more customized treatment plan.
- Inpatient. Inpatient addiction treatment programs are residential programs that are designed for around-the-clock medical monitoring and readily available medical treatment. These programs are a great option for people who need intensive treatment and can afford the expenses.
- Outpatient. Outpatient addiction treatment programs are part-time, non-residential programs that are designed to fit around a regular daily schedule. They are better for people who require less intensive treatment for their addiction.
How do these treatment centres compare to each other in overlapping categories?
| Outpatient | Inpatient | |
| Public | CheaperNo customizationLack of resources | Relatively cheaperLack of customizationLack of resources |
| Private | Relatively expensiveLimited customizationLimited time commitment | Most expensiveHighly customizableHigh time commitment |
Within these four categories, you should be able to find a category of treatment that works for your loved one. Finding addiction treatment centres in Alberta or other locations can be challenging, but a number of resources can help you keep an eye out for the right fit.
What Does an Alcohol Intervention Program Involve and How Much Does It Cost?
Alcohol addiction help can often get quite pricey. What kind of services do alcohol intervention programs involve?
- Assessing the level of alcohol dependency in the patient and analyzing their circumstances. Different levels of alcohol dependency might require a different approach to interventions and ultimately treatment.
- Analyzing patterns that may incentivize substance use within the patient’s life. Alcohol addiction doesn’t happen within a vacuum. For example, 20% of addicts also suffer from depression or anxiety. Oftentimes finding the root of the issue causing addiction is the key to starting effective treatment. You need to look at the user’s mental health as a whole to initiate holistic treatment.
- Encouraging healing within families through consulting. Loved ones are often neglected during the alcohol addiction help process, but having a supportive, warm environment is key to helping the addict recover and may help the family come to terms with their own position in this situation.
- Structuring highly effective intervention strategies custom-tailored to the situation. Depending on the patient’s personality, they may require a different type of intervention. For example, a patient with violent tendencies might require a less confrontation-centric strategy.
- Redirecting the patient and family toward treatment as a form of aftercare. If the patient accepts the possibility of treatment, a quality interventionist should be able to refer them to a good alcohol rehabilitation program.
With all that being said, how much does an alcohol addiction intervention cost? It tends to vary by the interventionist. Each session may cost anywhere from $100 to $1000+ depending on the individual charging for these services, your region, and how many services you get with each session.
Thankfully, for many people seeking out alcohol intervention, you can find financial aid from the government for alcohol intervention treatment.
Funding and Financial Aid for Alcohol Addiction Help
If you can’t afford expensive treatments, attending a government-funded public treatment program is always an option.
Perhaps you want to attend a privately funded program such as Aurora Recovery Centre, which offers quality long-term treatment and customized treatment plans.
In that case, there are options for funding and financial aid that can supplement your alcohol intervention program. Understanding addiction and addiction treatment in Canada is simple thanks to the abundance of resources you can find online.
In Canada, for example, you can get funding from:
- Health Canada
- Department of Justice
- Public Safety Canada
- Public Health Agency of Canada
How do you know if you qualify for funding help? Most financial aid programs focus on individuals who come from a specific demographic, such as:
- First Nation communities
- Young people
- People within the justice system
- Underprivileged neighbourhoods
These are just a few examples. If you do some research, you should be able to find alcohol addiction help for even more groups.
How to Get Started With Alcohol Addiction Intervention In Canada
Looking for an alcohol intervention program but have no idea where to start? Check out resources like Canada Drug Rehab, a directory where anyone can search for alcohol addiction help based on categories such as program or treatment type, specific addiction, custom or specialized programs.
The site also offers resources for people who want a better understanding of interventions and alcohol addiction treatment as a whole.
Need recommendations for treatment centres? Check out the following high-quality locations:
- Sunshine Coast Health Centre. Focused on offering working men a healthy rehabilitation environment, Sunshine Coast Health Centre provides 24 hours medical care and a wide range of treatments customized to each individual patient’s needs.
- Cedars at Cobble Hill. At Cedars, each patient receives a customized treatment plan. They offer a wide variety of programs with an abstinence-rooted approach to sobriety.
- Aurora Recovery Centre. Personalized addiction recovery plans are only a part of Aurora’s appeal. Their outpatient/inpatient programs, family counselling, and addiction awareness training create a holistic environment for learning and sobriety
- Andy Bhatti Intervention Services. With years of experience counselling high-risk youth and providing interventions, Andy Bhatti specializes in creating a positive environment for addiction recovery for victims of trauma.
Recovering from alcohol addiction may be a challenging process, but the right treatment should enable your loved one to start living a healthy life once again.
Don’t be afraid to seek out treatment: in the long run, addiction treatment will improve your loved one’s state of mind and physical health, empowering them to take back control from addiction once again.
