Intervention Guide
A more focused approach is usually beneficial and needed when a loved one needs an alcohol or drug intervention. It’s possible that joining forces with an interventionist can work wonders for the outcome and will persuade them to start alcohol and drug detox in Houston. When individuals are in denial about their drug or alcohol abuse, they may not be able to recognize the effects caused by it.
“What is an intervention” will be answered. There are different steps, different types of interventions, and more. Freedom is attainable.
What is an Intervention?
An intervention is an organized attempt and event to confront a loved one about their addiction. This carefully planned process run by the family and friends of an individual struggling with addiction informs the person of the following:
- There is an addiction present
- The person needs help
- The individual has your support
- There are detox and addiction resources that can aid in recovery
The drug intervention shouldn’t be spontaneous and should address the destructive behaviors and effects. The drug intervention will include the recommended steps, such as treatment and consequences/boundaries if the plans presented aren’t accepted or followed.
Interventions should always provide motivation and incentives for the individual. The interventions come in several forms other than the classic family meeting on television.
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During an alcohol or drug intervention, it will serve as a guide on the following:
- Helping members stay on topic
- Stating harmful things
- Avoid placing blame
- Making accusations
Overall, the alcohol or drug intervention should focus on the positive aspects. Even though it’s vital for the person struggling with addiction to understand how their condition affects the emotional and mental health of their loved ones, don’t blame them for harm.
Instead, the goal is to point out the addiction that causes negative changes in behavior.
How Do Interventions Work?
Most drug and alcohol interventions work through the professional experience of trained specialists at the treatment center. These skilled professionals assist families in preparing for often intense and uncomfortable confrontations. “What is an intervention?”
An intervention takes place in a “controlled” environment to put the individual in a position where they are more likely to be open-minded. Sometimes, a drug or alcohol intervention can occur in a workplace surrounded by employees.
Sometimes, an intervention can come as a complete surprise for the individual.
Some newer methods recommend that members of the intervention team advise the person with the addiction that they will be speaking to a counselor about their drug or alcohol abuse. This step should occur before going to a counselor before the intervention.
A drug interventionist should be a qualified mental health professional with experience and training in addiction treatment. They should guide the intervention process.
How Can You Tell if Someone Needs an Intervention?
It is difficult when a loved one is struggling and needs an intervention. Consider the below signs that a drug or alcohol intervention is fundamental to the future and well-being of your loved one.
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, several individuals are struggling with prescription drug addiction and believe they have it under control. However, addiction is a disease that needs help.
Perhaps a loved one struggling has put their lives in danger many times. Not to mention that their alcohol addiction is endangering others. Or your loved one has recently overdosed from their drug use addiction.
When there is a remarkable amount of destructive behavior, it is a clear indication of an addiction. Typically, the person 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.
Regardless of the numerous opportunities, you have presented, your love might still be reluctant to seek help. In some rare scenarios, the individual might admit to their addiction. The individuals might even admit to needing to stop but still refuse treatment.
Generally, an intervention is needed to push the person over the edge and into treatment care. Your loved one might need that extra push in making the most beneficial decision for them.
Addiction can interfere with the ways that a person’s brain thinks. As time goes on, it becomes more challenging for the person to make wholesome decisions.
As a result of the person seeking more of the substance 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 the substance.
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 can also impact heart health, create complications in brain health, and destroy the liver. When health complications arise, it’s time to plan an intervention.
Cravings occur when more of the drug or substance they are addicted to is needed. Once the person has built up a tolerance for the drug, it is time to examine how present the addiction is. Scheduling an intervention is crucial.
Many individuals experience rock bottom with their loved ones addicted to drug or substance use. Once you realize nothing else has accomplished this, it’s time for an intervention. It is essential to get your point across. Your loved one might finally surrender.
Are There Different Types of Interventions?
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 and social resources to individuals who engage in substance abuse, a mental health disorder, or both. By coordinating police efforts and clinical support, individuals struggling with co-occurring disorders are more likely to receive help.
This intervention style not only focuses on the person struggling with addiction but the family. All relationships surrounding the person engaging in substance use are affected:
- Close family members
- Children
- Spouses
- Parents
Since the above-loved ones are affected by the person’s use, this intervention style assembles the entire family into the following therapy methods:
- Individual and family therapy
- Specific support groups
- Other forms of treatment
ARISE is a newer intervention style. It involves the entire family, 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 into a treatment program at a rehab facility.
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.
What Are the Steps Involved in a Successful Intervention?
This step might involve contacting a professional social worker, doctor, or interventionist. It can also involve including other family members and friends. Support for the overall intervention process is crucial, and 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 professional 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 addiction and recovery. Gather information about rehab programs and detox, specifically those that suit the needs and personality of the loved one struggling with drug or substance addiction.
Everyone at the intervention should have something to say to the person struggling with addiction. There should be personal statements articulating how the addiction has affected them personally.
Therefore, written statements about the impact can help the person understand their struggle doesn’t just affect them. 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 drug or alcohol intervention should be willing to provide support, in some capacity, to their loved one struggling with addiction. While they attend detox, the rehab facility, or long-term sobriety, it is needed. For example, this can look like offering rides to treatment weekly or even offering to attend support group/family therapy meetings too.
If the individual struggling refuses treatment, the bonds between loved ones must change. Everyone at the intervention should dedicate themselves to enabling behaviors or codependency. It’s vital to make it clear that there will be consequences if they refuse help.
Emotions will run rampant during the drug or alcohol 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, when the time comes, everyone will be more prepared and know when everyone should speak, what to say, and when to allow the next person to proceed.
With the most well-planned intervention and efforts to help, the individual can still not accept the offer 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 the substance use issues.
Magnolia City Recovery Can Help
After the intervention, it is time for your loved one to attend a detox center such as Magnolia City Recovery. We can help them begin their recovery journey today. Let’s get started.
Dr. Olaniyi O. Osuntokun is a Neurology & Psychiatry Specialist based in Conroe, Texas, and Lafayette, Indiana. He has extensive experience in treating Individuals with substance use disorders and addiction. He earned his medical degree from University of Ibadan College of Medicine and has been in practice for more than 20 years.
