Intervention and Intervention Services
Intervention and Family intervention is often an essential part of the recovery process. Denial is an ever-present partner with drug addiction. Just because an individual's life has become unmanageable as a result of drug addiction and/or alcoholism, no matter what the drug being abused, along with the abuse comes a lack of willingness and/or ability to confront the true nature of one's own problem with drugs and alcohol and to take any kind of action to better their lives. This is called denial, and it comes in many forms - blaming, playing the victim, anger, fear etc. Along with denial, an addict must deal with pride and ego, two of the worst enemies of addiction, as they will undoubtedly keep an addict or alcoholic using until they reach one of three inevitable ends - jails, institutions, or death. This is where a type of addiction professional called an interventionist becomes important. Drug and alcohol intervention and Interventionists play an essential role in the treatment process.
Intervention, Drug Treatment Centers, Alcohol Rehab Programs, and Interventionists
A family Intervention or drug and alcohol interventionist's job is to break down denial. Denial is a very strong defense mechanism used by addicts that enables them to justify continuing their destructive behavior. Often they blame their usage on family members, jobs, and stress, anything that allows them not to accept responsibility for their addiction and continue the substance abuse. Breaking through these barriers and gaining commitment to receive effective care is essential to begin healing, and this is the job of the interventionist and professional drug and alcohol intervention.
The sole purpose of intervention is to get the addict to an effective treatment facility immediately!
There are many phases to an intervention. The first phase is coordination with the family and with help from the interventionists or other professional selecting a treatment facility. Advance arrangements must be made as the expectation is immediate admittance upon the completion of the intervention.
The second step is to begin a dialogue with a professional interventionist. An experienced interventionist will quickly move the family from a disorganized chaotic state to a cohesive, focused group, always keeping in mind the goal of getting the addict to drug treatment or alcohol rehabilitation immediately. The intention is clear, the tone is hopeful and the resolve is unwavering. This process is born out of love and concern for the addict. Correctly executed professional interventions and interventionists are successful in 90%-95%+ of all cases.
In the event that the drug addict or alcoholic chooses not to agree to treatment, the family, friends, and employers must be prepared for the next step. This involves the total and immediate cessation of all enabling behaviors by the parties involved. Typically the only reason this process may not be effective is that in the past, consequences of the drug addict's behavior have been so minimal that the addict doesn't think that anything will change. The family must be prepared to set strong and unwavering boundaries and not waver at the time of intervention. The addict is once again told he/she is loved and that the family and interventionist are willing to get them effective drug or alcohol treatment. It must be made clear, however, that the family (with the guidance of the interventionist as a mediator) will no longer accept this behavior and watch the addict slowly kill themselves. The drug addict or alcoholic is asked to leave and expect no support of any kind until he or she asks for drug rehab or alcoholism treatment. No money, no roof over one's head, no shoulder to cry on, nothing except a request for treatment will be granted or even acknowledged. Intervention can be a very painful process, because it is a time during which a family often gets to see the true strength and resolve of the addictive mind. Intervention and interventionists are professionals in mediating this process, and comforting both the addict and the family in the strong emotions that accompany any professional drug or alcohol intervention process.
Intervention is a serious undertaking and it is imperative that it be done effectively, safely, and with confidentiality. No intervention should be undertaken without the advice and council of an experienced, trained and certified professional interventionist, preferably one who is knowledgeable in the treatment center and approach or treatment methodology that has been chosen for the drug rehabilitation or alcohol rehab of the drug addict.
Debra Norton has worked in the field of chemical dependency for 12+ years and has held positions from Intake Coordinator, Quality Improvement Director, Executive Director to Chief Financial Officer. Her love for people and serving those in need as well as her personal life experiences with chemical dependency has resulted in her developing OUTREACH SERVICES. OUTREACH SERVICES is now her passion because it affords the ability to help so many more people rather than just serving one facility. Her experience in marketing, personnel, intake, clinical management and quality improvement allows Outreach Services to continue to grow as a reputable placement organization. http://www.drugandalcoholrehab.net/index.html
Additional Resources on Intervention can be found at:
Website Directory for Intervention
Articles on Intervention
Products for Intervention
Discussion Board
Debra Norton, The Official Guide to Intervention
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