DRUG INTERVENTION IN HOUSTON, TEXAS

One of the most important indicators that your loved one needs intervention is denial that they have a problem. Usually, their substance use impacts relationships, work, and health.

It’s possible that you have spoken to them about it, and they continue the same habits. For example, if your loved one continues to abuse alcohol regardless of the negative consequences that have occurred (like legal issues, financial problems, or losing their job) they have clearly lost control.

Perhaps a loved one struggling has put their life in danger many times. Not to mention that their addiction is endangering others. Or your loved one has recently overdosed from their drug use.

When there is a remarkable amount of destructive behavior, it is a clear indication of an addiction. Typically, the individual struggling with addiction is in denial or unaware of how to change their life for the better, and this is where you come in as a support unit to encourage them to attend treatment.

Regardless of the numerous opportunities you have presented a treatment center, your love might still be reluctant to seek help. The individual might even admit to needing substance abuse treatment but still refuse drug rehab.

Generally, an intervention is needed to push the individual over the edge and into addiction treatment. Your loved one might need that extra push in making the most beneficial decision for them.

As a result of the chemical dependency they desire, they cheat, steal, lie, and get high to retrieve it. Even though your loved one is aware that you know their whereabouts, they still emotionally and physically need drugs or alcohol.

Addiction can interfere with a person’s thought process. As time goes on, it becomes more challenging for the person to make wholesome decisions. During the intervention, it’s critical to point out this deception and express to your loved one that the problem is continuous.

A drug overdose isn’t the only way drug use can impact an individual’s health. It seems drugs can also cause mental illness, complications in heart health, complications in brain health, and cause irreversible liver damage. When health complications arise, the individual desperately needs drug or alcohol treatment.

Many individuals experience rock bottom with their loved one’s substance use gets out of control, and they are unable to get the individual to attend a rehab center on their own. Once this has been realized, it’s time for an intervention. It is essential to get your point across. Your loved one might finally surrender and seek outpatient treatment or residential care.

This intervention is generally a short, one-on-one meeting between the individual struggling with addiction and the counselor or medical professional. The intervention can occur at a school or hospital.

The intervention can occur in a doctor’s office if an exam reveals dangerous health issues. However, when individuals are worried about their loved ones, they can ask the following to perform the brief intervention:

• A professional interventionist
• Therapist or counselor
• Social worker
• Doctor

Generally, this intervention applies to models of policing. It involves police officers offering medical services, counseling services, and social resources to individuals who engage in substance abuse, have a mental health disorder, or both. By coordinating police efforts and clinical support, individuals struggling with co-occurring mental health disorders are more likely to receive help.

This intervention style not only focuses on the individual struggling with addiction but the family. All relationships surrounding the individual engaging in substance use are affected and therefore those individuals should be present during the intervention.

Since loved ones are affected by the person’s use, this intervention style assembles the entire family and any close friends into the following behavioral therapy methods:

• Individual and family counseling services
• Specific support groups
• Other forms of treatment

ARISE is a newer intervention style. It involves families, but it’s less disruptive. It still utilizes various techniques of the Johnson Model. Ultimately, the goal is to enroll the individual struggling with addiction in substance abuse treatment.

This intervention style might also involve the Johnson Model in a meeting format, or it can also be a form of community intervention. The main objective is to set attainable goals for the intervention. SMART stands for Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant, and Time Specific.

SMART can be an aspect of a follow-up in a family-centered intervention. It can be a part of a program evaluation for community interventions such as drug and alcohol education programs, or during treatment services at drug rehabs.

This step might involve contacting a professional social worker, doctor, or interventionist. It can also involve including other members of the family and friends. Support for the overall intervention process is crucial. It’s also vital not to approach the intervention process head-on alone.

Forming the intervention team will include the core group of organizers, so it may or may not be the professionally hired interventionist. It usually includes:

• Close family members
• Coworkers
• Friends

This step includes scheduling the specific time of day, guest list, and location. It also includes outlining what everyone will say and how the process will look. Overall, this is the ultimate guide to the event.

During this step, learn more about substance abuse and addiction recovery. Gather information about rehab programs and detox, specifically those that suit the needs and personality of the loved one struggling with substance addiction.

Everyone at the intervention should have something to say to the individual struggling with addiction. There should be personal statements articulating how the person’s use of drugs has affected them personally.  These statements should be emotionally honest and mainly focus on love. There is no room or place for any personal attacks in these statements.

Individuals attending the intervention should be willing to provide support, in some capacity, to their loved ones struggling with addiction. While they attend detox, the rehab facility, or during long-term recovery, it is needed. For example, this can look like offering rides to the treatment centers or even offering to attend support groups.

If the individual struggling refuses treatment, the bonds between loved ones must change. Everyone at the intervention should dedicate themselves to not enabling behaviors. It’s vital to make it clear that there will be consequences if they refuse to attend inpatient or outpatient rehab.

Emotions will run rampant during the intervention. So, to ensure no one is blaming the individual or falling into a rabbit hole of self-pity, rehearse the entire intervention with everyone present at least once. Therefore, everyone will be more prepared and understand the flow of the intervention.

With the most well-planned intervention and efforts to help, the individual can still not accept the offer of treatment for several reasons. This step is one of the hardest, but it does happen more often than not. Follow through with the outlined consequences if it occurs.

Whether the individual accepts the help or not, it’s vital to uphold the statements made during the intervention. Otherwise, the individual can experience stress that leads to the delay of the treatment process, lead to relapse, or exacerbate substance use issues.