The thought of performing an intervention on a family member or loved one is pretty concerning and worrisome to say the least. Frankly, most family members of addicts are plain terrified at the very thought of performing such an intervention. It worries them, and you can’t really blame them either. It is quite scary and in fact terrifying to have to confront a drug or alcohol addict and to try to get them to hang it up and go to rehab.
However, it must be done. The alternative is grim to say the least, and the alternative is more or less unacceptable. The alternative would be to simply do nothing and let the addict continue to use and abuse drugs and alcohol indefinitely until he or she takes his or her own life with it. That is not an acceptable alternative at all.
This is why family members and loved ones must act now. Don’t put off an intervention. It could mean the death of the family member or loved one in question. The key factor here is that rather than looking at intervention as a chore or a difficult task it must be looked at as something that simply must be done to help save that person’s life. It is the key, crucial act that turns the tides of addiction and gets the person to really realize exactly where his or her life is going and what the future will look like if something is not done about his or her drug and alcohol problem.
Rather than looking at intervention like a difficult trial to have to confront, rather look at intervention like a life-saving gesture. That is really what it is. Look at intervention like it is the one act that will finally make a big difference in that person’s life.
The Effects of Drug and Alcohol Abuse: Why Acting Now is so Key
People are not strangers to the dangers of drugs and alcohol and to the simple fact of knowing that such actions are bad. However, most people don’t realize just how deep the problem goes and just how severe it really is. Listed below are a few examples of what drug and alcohol abuse does to a person when they are not intervened on:
Alcoholism. Easily the most common substance abuse issue in the nation, alcohol abuse and excessive drinking can cause potentially serious problems, including:
• Accidental serious injury or death
• Certain cancers, including breast cancer, cancers of the mouth, pharynx, larynx, esophagus and liver
• Cirrhosis of the liver
• Fetal alcohol syndrome and other health problems in an unborn child
• Heart muscle damage (alcoholic cardiomyopathy) leading to heart failure
• High blood pressure
• Pancreatitis
• Stroke
• Sudden death (if the person already has cardiovascular disease)
• Suicide
Heroin abuse. One of the most common and prevalent drug abuse problems in the United States, long-term use leads to addiction and may also result in the following:
• Abscesses
• Arthritis and other rheumatologic problems
• Bacterial infections
• Clogging of the blood vessels leading to the kidney, liver, lungs or brain
• Collapsed veins
• Infection of heart lining and valves
• Infectious diseases, such as HIV/AIDS and hepatitis B and C
• Liver and kidney diseases
• Lung complications (including pneumonia and tuberculosis)
Meth abuse. A new and “up and coming” drug, the long-term use (sometimes even short-term use) of meth leads to addiction and may also result in the following:
• High blood pressure
• Palpitations
• Rapid breathing
• Over time, constant fluctuations can cause consistent blood pressure problems, cardiac damage and artery blockage.
• Rapid increase in heart rate and body temperature leads to risk of sudden stroke or heart attack
• Spontaneous brain hemorrhages
• Aneurysm ruptures
• Enlargement of the heart
• Compromised immunity
• Liver damage
• Lung disease
• Dental disorders, “meth mouth” conditions of rotting teeth and gum disease
• Psychosis, including hallucinations, paranoia and mood disturbances
Don’t wait to intervene on a family member or loved one. Just don’t. You may end up regretting it deeply if you do. Better yet to address and handle the problem immediately, even if it is scary or difficult at first.
Leave a Reply