Intervention

Does one-on-one count as an intervention? Must the interventioners outnumber the interventionee? No matter. I'm not terribly certain it will happen at this point. There is nothing scheduled, there is no clever ploy in play to lure the person in question to a meeting they might prefer to not attend. So. I have struggled with what I should do for my friend who has a serious problem with drinking alcohol. I have already determined what not to do. Counting drinks doesn't work. I don't enjoy babysitting another adult. Taking away the car keys is effective only as short term solution. Endless discussions over the same issues that lead to excessive drinking have accomplished nothing. Suggesting counseling for these issues when my solicited advice has not sufficed has not been productive. Four years this has gone on. And on. And on. I thought the DUI would be a wake-up call. I thought the court ordered drug and alcohol counseling would bring about an aha! moment of enlightenment. But no. A month ago, after the most recent incident of overimbibing, I made a decision. The only one that makes sense to me now is to remove myself from the equation. No more drink counting, no more babysitting, no more feeling responsible for confiscating the keys. I am choosing to decline the pleasure of her company if the consumption of alcohol is involved. Because I'm exhausted. Most days, it's enough of a chore keeping my own bad-ass, smart-ass self in line. When I fail at this undertaking I do my level best to own it and go about repairing any damage. Then I try to find a different lesson invoking activity to try. I hate that doomed to repeating myself til I get it right thing. It's time for the other grownup at this metaphorical one-on-one intervention to do the same.