Watching someone you know struggle with the negative and destructive forces of drug abuse and addiction can be excruciating, to say the least.
An intervention is a structured way in which people who love and care about an addict can gather to confront that person about his or her addiction. Sometimes it is this very intervention that can mean the difference between recovery and addiction, and perhaps even life and death.
Alcoholic or Drug Addict Intervention
The desired outcome of an intervention is for the alcoholic or drug addict to agree to immediate treatment. Treatment can take several forms, such as outpatient, inpatient, AA and/or a drug and alcohol detox facility.
Good planning is a key to the potential success of the intervention for the drug addict or the alcoholic. Poorly-planned interventions can, in fact, make matters worse.
Intervention professionals (known as interventionists) or addiction specialists can be brought in to help before, during and after — especially if the addict has a history of violence, suicidal behavior, is addicted to multiple mood-altering substances and/or has a history or current signs of mental illness.
That same third-party intervention professional can help follow-up with the treatment plan and with the addict’s recovery. Intervention specialists can help toward avoiding relapse for the addict.
How To Help An Addict
Those who are addicted, in this case to drugs and alcohol, often do not see or even care about the potentially devastating effects their actions and addictions have on those around them. An intervention is a chance for loved ones to help the addict get back on the right path before it is too late.
Interventions are generally staged for those who are addicted, often dangerously so, to alcohol and drugs (including prescription medications as well as “street” drugs). Consulting an intervention specialist prior to the intervention will go a long way toward ensuring the positive results for the addict and for the loved ones looking for hope and help.
How To Do A Intervention
When it comes to planning and staging an intervention, there is much to keep in mind:
Pre-Planning: Having a pre-planned/arranged plan for treatment ready to present is a must.
Evidence: Preparing/presenting specific examples of the addict’s destructive behaviors along with their impact on those gathered as well as on the addict him or herself is important.
Boundaries Going Forward: It is important to be ready, emotionally and verbally, to be specific about a loved one will and will not longer do or accept should the drug or alcohol addict refuse treatment following the intervention.
Being Proactive: Not waiting until the addicted individual indicated that he or she wants or is ready for help. They may never offer such a possibility, and many a loved one has waited until it was tragically too late for the addict in their lives to indicate his or her readiness.
Attitude: Maintaining an attitude and approach of respect, kindness and no judgment no matter how the intervention is going.
