If you think that someone you love is struggling with addiction, it’s essential that you try to get them help. And although it can be tough to come to terms with the fact that someone you love is struggling with addiction, it can save their life. You may even resort to denial and just look the other way when you see the warning signs. There’s also a chance that you have no idea how to get your loved one the help that they need, which is common. One of the best ways to motivate your loved one to begin the road to recovery is through an intervention like one we’ve discussed here.
Drug & Alcohol Addiction Intervention Services
Anyone who has been close to a long-term alcoholic or drug addict knows that getting someone to quit is tough. Denial is a powerful force that keeps a tight physical and mental grasp on its habitual users. Ready to approach them to get help? It’s crucial that you have the right strategy–and the right help. The best way to go about such a sensitive topic is to work with a seasoned interventionist like one of ours at Level Up Lake Worth.
What Is An Intervention?
An intervention is an organized confrontation with a loved one about their drug or alcohol addiction. It can involve anyone (family, friends, coworkers) who has a relationship with the individual. They then use the opportunity to express how the person’s addiction has affected them. An intervention is not a form of addiction treatment but often a means of convincing a drug or alcohol addict to seek treatment from a rehab facility.
These are emotionally charged affairs that can be difficult for both the addicted person and those who staged the intervention. Interventions are typically reserved as a last-ditch effort to encourage someone to seek treatment. They are not restricted to drug and alcohol addicts and intentions can be used to confront a person about any kind of debilitating behavior.
Do Drug & Alcohol Interventions Work?
Yes, interventions can be successful in getting an addicted person to admit that they have a problem and to realize that they need help. Addicts are more likely to undergo addiction treatment when there has been an intervention, however, it does not necessarily increase the efficacy of their treatment or their likelihood of success. However, social support and family support is a major component in recovery and intervention has the potential to be an asset later on.
There are a number of factors to consider; such as the nature of the relationship the organizer has with the individual. While deciding whether an intervention is the right choice for your loved one is a major decision on its own, but they must determine which type of intervention would be the most effective.
The Different Types of Interventions
Just as addiction treatment is not a one-size-fits-all process, neither are interventions. There are multiple types and can vary on the setting, the number of people involved, as well as their relationship with the addicted person.
Simple Intervention
A simple intervention is the least confrontational of all. More often than not, is merely a conversation acknowledging the person’s addiction and asking them to seek treatment. Rather than involving a large group of people, a simple intervention usually consists of one or possibly two individuals. Despite the simplicity of this approach, this method can be quite effective even without the presence of an addiction intervention counselor.
Crisis Intervention
Unlike the other types of interventions, this kind is usually impromptu and occurs when the addicted person has become a danger to themselves. The goal of this approach is simply to stabilize the situation and keep them safe. Convincing them to go to rehab may be discussed, but is not the prime objective in this situation.
Classic Intervention
Also known as the Johnson Model, like the name would suggest, this is the most mainstream type of intervention and the kind that comes to mind when the term is used. It involves prior planning with all participants (except the addicted person) which usually includes close family members and close friends. The key element of this intervention approach is that the confrontational is a surprise to the individual. Addiction intervention services can help tremendously in both the planning stage of the intervention as well as during to maximize effectiveness.
Family System Intervention
This type of intervention involves other family members who suffer from the same type of addiction. This approach is based on the family systems theory and can be a great motivation to recover and undergo treatment. These family members are very involved in the addiction person’s recovery efforts well beyond the intervention itself and will participate in family counseling along with the individual. This method is very effective for repairing and strengthening family bonds.
Do I Really Need Addiction Intervention Services?
While interventions have the potential to be a catalyzing force in an addict getting sober, it is not guaranteed that an intervention will always be successful. When done incorrectly, a botched intervention can strain relationships and further alienate the addicted person from their loved ones. This is one of the main risks of an intervention, and one of the biggest reasons why professional addiction intervention counselors should always be consulted prior to staging an intervention and present during.
Addiction intervention services can help defuse tensions and help to mediate the conversation. This can make interventions much more likely to be successful and result in the addicted person enrolling in rehab.
Tips For Holding An Intervention
Your Level Up Lake Worth addiction services counselor will walk you through the planning process to minimize the possibility of negative outcomes. Here are a few recommendations of how to do an intervention.
- Guilt trips aren’t welcome here. The purpose is not to or shame an addict but to open their eyes to how they have harmed themselves and others
- Do not yell. This can make them feel attacked and put them on the defensive
- Be mindful of the time and setting. Make this confrontation as non-stressful as possible and avoid doing it at a time when their emotions are already volatile (like after a breakup or getting fired) or somewhere that they’ll be distracted or intimidated.
- Be as specific as possible. It’s recommended that each participant has an itemized list of grievances that are short and to the point.
- Write down speaking points in advance. Doing so when your calm can help prevent things from being said harshly in the heat of the moment.
How To Help An Addicted Loved One With An Intervention
Let us help you or your loved one today – call 1 (855) 976-2776 for a free consultation.
Most importantly for you or your loved one, working with a professional interventionist helps take the edge off of confronting an addicted individual. Not only will you have an expert to guide you through the process of planning the intervention event and coordinating an addiction treatment center, but you will also have a moderator to make sure the event itself goes smoothly, supporting loved ones as well. Sometimes simply having that neutral person in the room is all you need to find common ground and save a life before it’s too late.
Step 1
Once you hire an interventionist, he or she will be able to advise you in the best practices for making the event go smoothly. Your interventionist may tell you about the optimal times and places to hold the event based on you and the individual’s needs. In general, it is best to hold the drug/alcohol intervention early in the day or at a time when the addict is less likely to be drunk or high. Holding the event at a neutral, familiar location is also recommend. But remember, interventions are about the individual, so each situation differs as does every person.
Step 2
Do’s
Don’ts
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