Intervention

Intervention is when a group of people come together to help a loved one confront their addiction to drugs or alcohol. Often, people who use drugs or alcohol are unaware that their use has become an addiction and that they are out of control. These individuals disparately need the help of others to point out their self-destructive behavior.

Many times the individual will try to minimize their problem or joke their way out of the intervention. Don’t let these actions persuade you that everything will be ok and they can handle the problem on their own. The goal of an intervention is to make sure the addict truly understands their actions and accepts the reality of their addiction. Ultimately, you want them to accept treatment and make changes in their lives starting immediately.

How to have a successful intervention:
1. Stop rescuing them from their self-destructive behavior. Do not make excuses for them and do not get them out of drug or alcohol related problems. Let them experience the harmful effects of their actions.

2. Stop enabling them to be self-destructive. Do not let them room for free. Do not let them borrow the car or money. Make them accountable for their actions. Doing otherwise is rewarding their harmful behavior.

3. Try your best to hold the intervention when the individual is sober. Also, choose a time when you are calm and able to speak with them privately. The worst thing you could do would be to blow up at them and threaten them with hollow ultimatums.

4. It is important for you to be as specific as possible with the individual. Make it clear that you are concerned about their drinking or drug use. Let them know that you are there to help them and you want to be supportive. Provide examples of how their drug addiction has become detrimental to their lives as well as yours. This would be a good time to bring up any recent issues that may have taken place.

5. Clearly tell them the consequences. Let them know that until they get help for their addiction you will carry out the said consequences. Be clear in letting them know that this is not a punishment but a way of protecting yourself from their harmful actions. It is important that you do not make any threats that you are not prepared to carry out. The goal is to make the addict feel uncomfortable and realize that they need to get help.

6. Gather up anyone who cares about the individual. There is strength in numbers. As a group you need to choose one person to be the spokesperson. This is helpful so that the addict does not feel “ganged up on”. The others are there to be supportive but not everyone should speak at once and overwhelm the individual.

7. Last of all listen to what the addict has to say. If they begin to ask questions such as “where would I go?” and “how long would it take?” put them in touch with help. You will want to have researched different treatment centers you feel will be acceptable for the individual. Time is of the essence and once the addict agrees to get help the wheels need to be rolling and they need to be placed in treatment a.s.a.p.