Preparation for an Intervention
When the health and the well-being of a loved are placed at risk due to an addiction, and when the whole family suffers along with him, a well-prepared intervention is most likely the best option. It is important though that an intervention is planned carefully as it may not bring about the positive results expected when certain steps are taken for granted. By following certain guidelines, and intervention can be successful, and an addict can open up his mind to the very real possibility of recovery through professional treatment.
When is it time to Plan an Intervention?
There are times when an addiction problem reaches a crisis level and the family of an addicted person may have no other recourse but to perform a professional intervention.
But what exactly is an intervention?
In essence, an intervention is a process where an addict is confronted with the destructive effects of his addiction on himself and the people who are a part of his life. The people involved in the confrontation specify every problem they have had to contend with as a result of the individual’s behaviour resulting from his addiction. However, the process is not really that simple.
Importance of the Intervention Plan
An intervention must be planned out carefully, as well as developed by professionals in the field of substance abuse, who have the expertise in handling these types of procedures. The primary purpose of the intervention is getting an addict to get the treatment that he badly needs, preferably in a treatment facility. Most of these treatment facilities have trained counsellors who assist families in their preparation for the intervention, which must be done in an environment where the addict has no choice but to listen.
An intervention can break through the barriers of denial, and encourages an addicted individual to get help. This is mainly accomplished through family and close friends who are capable of confronting the addict in a loving and supportive way, as they express their feelings of love and care for a loved one.
How to plan an intervention:
- Get in touch with a professional interventionist or counsellor who has established a reputation for facilitating successful interventions
- Prepare your list of family members, close friends, colleagues, and co-workers who will be directly involved in both the planning of the intervention and the intervention itself
- Make an appointment with the professional counsellor or interventionist to talk about the situation honestly
- Talk about the obstacles and barriers that have stopped the family and the person suffering from addiction from looking for help before
- Make a plan as to how the intervention will go, and start to rehearse what every member of the intervention team will be saying to the addicted person
- Prepare a list of consequences that the addict must face should he refuse to get treatment for his addiction, and abide by these consequences
- Set a specific date, time, and place for the intervention, preferably when the addict is available and is hopefully sober
- Perform the confrontation is such a manner that it is done with love and concern, so that antagonizing the addict does not happen. Have him know how his addiction problem is affecting everyone around him, and how he can be able to start a new life through proper treatment
- Never veer away from plans made during an intervention. This could derail the whole process and could probably worsen the situation
- Be prepared for arguments coming from the addicted person himself who will very likely deny that he has a problem. Study how to answer these arguments without risking emotions running high
- Make sure that you get an immediate decision from the addict regarding treatment. Do not allow him to think things over even for awhile. By doing that, you will be allowing him to continue to deny that he has a problem. He may also decide to hide where you would not know where to find him, or indulge in a risky binge.
- Ensure that you are ready to get an evaluation for the addicted person to get treatment right away should he consent to do so
According to “WebMD,” addiction is a brain disease that is chronic and often relapses. It results in the compulsive search and use of harmful substances, despite the fact that it has harmful consequences for the addict and the people who are around him. Because the compulsion is uncontrollable, interventions are quite possible the best option for everyone involved. An addict would find it extremely challenging to cure himself, and professional help would be the only way to consider the possibility of a recovery.
An intervention can go wrong and actually cause even more problems if not done correctly. It is always best to get a trained professional to advice, and later on, facilitate the whole process of intervention.
In the News
Support for Parents Curbs Drug Use in Kids. Family Practice News Digital Network
“Support for Parents Curbs Drug Use in Kids. Family Practice News Digital Network. WASHINGTON A culturally tailored family intervention program significantly reduced current drug use and risky sexual behaviors in high-risk Hispanic youth in a randomized trial of more than 200 teens. Data from the Monitoring the Future survey and more.…” Read full press release, Support for Parents Curbs Drug Use in Kids from Family Practice News Digital Network.
On the Web
Intervention Canada Returns for Second Season World Screen
“Intervention Canada Returns for Second Season. World Screen. The drug landscape is changing. Prescription drug fatalities now outnumber traffic accidents as the leading cause of accidental death in North America and we’re seeing drugs like hydromorphone and fentanyl on the street and being used in deadly doses.…” Read full press release, Intervention Canada Returns for Second Season via World Screen.
