Many of us have heard of alcohol and/or substance abuse Intervention but may not realize the scope in which they are conducted. Can-Am Interventions would like to provide insight to this crucial step in a persons recovery and some of the recommended steps to assure success. It’s hard helping a loved one who is struggling with any type of addiction. Sometimes a direct, heart-to-heart conversation can start the road to recovery. But when it comes to addiction, the person with the issue often struggles to see there is an issue. A more focused approach often is needed. You may need to join forces with others and take action through a formal intervention.
Examples of some addictions where an intervention may be needed include:
- Alcohol use disorder.
- Prescription drug misuse.
- Street drug misuse.
- Compulsive eating.
- Compulsive gambling.
- Sexual obsession.
- Shopping addiction.
- Nicotine addictions (Smoking, Vaping…)
People who struggle with addiction often won’t accept their situation and don’t want to seek treatment. They may not accept the negative effects their behavior has on themselves and others. An intervention gives the loved one(s) a chance to make changes before things get even worse. It’s also a chance to accept help.
What is an intervention?
An intervention is a carefully planned process that family and friends can do by obtaining the guidance and services of an intervention professional. It sometimes includes a member of a loved one’s faith community or others who care about the person struggling with addiction such as a co-worker.
During the intervention, these people come together with an addiction professional (Interventionist) to face a loved one, talk about the effects of their addiction and ask them to accept treatment.
The intervention:
- Provides examples of destructive behaviors and how they affect the loved one with the addiction, as well as family and friends.
- Offers a treatment plan with clear steps, goals and guidelines.
- Spells out what each person will do if the loved one doesn’t accept treatment.
- Provides guidance not only to the addict, but also to the support system such as the family and friends, to provide structure and mediation throughout the intervention process.
How does a typical intervention work?
- Make a plan. A family member or friend suggests an intervention and forms a planning group. It’s best if you work with a qualified professional, to help you organize an effective intervention. An intervention is a highly charged situation that could cause anger, resentment or a sense of betrayal. This is a crucial and delicate step that needs to be initiated right the first time. Without proper preparation, the effect will most likely have a negative outcome.
- Gather information. The group members find out about the scale of the loved one’s addiction and research what is causing this issue to best inform the Interventionist.
- Follow the guidance of the Interventionist. This is a process best understood by the addiction professional. Give them all the information you have and then let them lead the way. Trust in their process and support their decisions for the best chance of success.
- Manage emotions. Keeping emotions in check, and having a non-reactive approach, will add stability to the Intervention thus providing a structured atmosphere crucial to the quality of the Intervention.
It is crucial that a successful and stable Intervention be initiated for the most likelihood of success. A poorly planned intervention can make the situation worse. The loved one may feel attacked and become isolated or opposed to treatment.
How can you help make sure an intervention succeeds?
Keep in mind that strong emotions are part of the loved one’s addiction. The process of organizing the intervention and the intervention itself can cause conflict, anger and resentment, even among family and friends who know their loved one needs their help.
To help an intervention succeed, think about these tips:
- Plan the time of the intervention. Make sure you choose a date and time when your loved one is least likely to be under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
- Expect your loved one’s objections. Have calm, rational responses ready for each reason your loved one may give to avoid treatment or take responsibility for behavior.
- Stay away from confrontation. Deal with your loved one with love, respect, support and concern — not anger. Be honest, but don’t use the intervention as a place for attacks.
- Stay on track during the intervention. Moving away from the plan can quickly derail an intervention. Provide a helpful outcome for the loved one to avoid making family tensions worse. Be prepared to remain calm in the face of the loved one’s accusations, hurt or anger — all of which can often be a tactic to redirect or end the conversation.
These are just some guidelines to keep in mind for the Intervention. More in depth plans will be discussed between the support group (Family, Friends) and the interventionist. Many situations vary, demanding specific approaches for the best possible outcome in each Intervention.
Help?
To truly help someone in active and unstable addiction, much preparation is required to assure success. You only get one chance to make the best impression on the addict on an approach of this scale. Family and friends can have drug addiction, or downfalls in life, of their own experience that they will want to draw from to provide guidance to help their loved one, but in most cases, this is not the experience of their loved one. This can have an opposite effect during Intervening with them, causing misunderstanding and putting distance between them and the solution. Can-Am Interventions has a vast knowledge and experience working with addicts and their support networks to reach the criteria needed to bring recovery to the addict, and the guidance and structure the support network needs. If you or someone you care about is struggling with addiction, please reach out to us. We are here to help with all stages of the recovery process.
For More Information:
E: patti.pike@canaminterventions.com W: www.canaminterventions.com
1-800-638-1812 Toll Free Internationally Cell: 415-827-3725 Text Office: 415-578-2875
Written by Rob baird