Getting Help for Alcoholism

Some alcoholics will decide on their own to get help for the disease. Others may be pushed to alcohol rehab by a health care provider, clergy member, spouse or partner, child, parent, or even the legal system.



In some instances, the people close to an alcoholic can stage what is called an "intervention," which exposes the alcoholic to the truth about the effects of his or her drinking. These are not always successful and should be performed in consultation with a responsible professional.



There are many resources available once the alcoholic has made the decision to get help, but no one else can make that decision on an ongoing basis. Fortunately, there are also resources to help the people close to an alcoholic set reasonable boundaries and get support for their own stressful situations.