5 Things Expected at an Intervention

It is a common misconception that most people believe that in order to help someone who has substance abuse or addiction, the addict or alcoholic must hit rock bottom before they can be helped. For many family members and friends, sitting by helplessly and watching as their loved one destroyed their life; waiting for the “bottom” was painful, difficult and heart breaking.

There is now, a different attitude towards helping a loved one with substance abuse or addiction and the consensus is that it actually does more harm than good to sit back and wait. Not only are there serious ramifications that can hold the family responsible for doing nothing, but the stress created within the family can cause health and financial for them as well.

Making the Decision for an Intervention

For many families, initiating an intervention is often times the best solution for loved ones to deal with a family member with substance abuse or addiction. When planned appropriately and carried out correctly, an intervention can be effective in encouraging and successfully getting the family member into detox and rehab treatment. The intervention can also be a healing tool for the family as they learn more about the addiction and a deeper understanding of how their loved one is affected.

Planning an Intervention

An intervention is a formal and structured conversation and it follows a precise format. It is more than attacking your loved one about their drug or alcohol addiction, but it is also stronger than a simple conversation. An intervention takes weeks to plan. In some cases, families call on a professional interventionist, but it can just as well be planned and carried out without a professional.

Education of Substance Addiction

Since drug addiction can have a psychological impact on the individual, it is often best to seek the services of a psychologist who has experience in drug counseling. The planning stage is also a time for the family to become educated about drug and alcohol addiction. While this may seem irrelevant, it is actually important that the family know what they are up against.

Prepare Letters

As family members and friends who will participate in the intervention develop an understanding of the addiction, they will begin to prepare their letters for use during the intervention. The letters should be encouraging and supportive and the letters should also share an example of some harm that the addict’s behavior has caused them. They should encourage the addict to go into rehab and explain how the rehab treatment will help them get better. While some intervention counselors tell the family members to put the consequences of refusing treatment in the letter, most argue that tactic is not effective and borders on intimidation.

Rehearsing the Intervention

The family members should select the date, time and location of the intervention. It is important that the location be a neutral setting that will prevent the individual from walking out. It is also to choose a time of the day when the person is less likely to be under the influence of drugs or alcohol.

Day of the Intervention

When the individual arrives, the leader of the intervention tells the individual why they are there and they begin to read their letters. At the end of each letter a plea for the individual to enter rehab is issued. The intervention ends once the individual agrees to rehab treatment.

It is important to note that not all interventions are successful. The truth is that until your loved one is ready for help, they will not get it. Forcing your loved one by intimidation, into rehab will not make them successful; in fact it could drive them deeper into addiction. While intimidation and threats may be successful in getting them into treatment, your loved one is ultimately the one who will decide if they want to stop using drugs and alcohol.