Interventions

When an individual is suffering from an alcohol or drug addiction, they often do not see the depth of their problem. In fact, the individual with a substance abuse problem may not even feel the harshest effects of their condition – how it impacts others – with that burden falling squarely on the shoulders of friends, family member and co-workers.

To help an individual get the treatment and care they need there are interventions.
Drug interventions and alcohol interventions are meetings held by those closest to the individual in questions and give these people a chance to share their own stories about how this addiction has changed everyone who has come into contact with them.

WHAT ARE THE DIFFERENT TYPES OF INTERVENTIONS?

Although they all share the same goals, there are several different types of intervention:

• Family intervention. When parents, children or siblings are no longer able to watch their family member suffer with their addiction, a family intervention is often the most effective way to get them into treatment.

• Intervention by friends. Like family members, friends are often the unintended victims when an individual develops an alcohol or drug addiction. Issues of concern for the individual, mistrust and broken promises, lead many to call for an intervention in order to show that person how their substance abuse is affecting their relationships.

• Workplace interventions. Employers and co-workers may also call for an intervention. Helping a friend and trusted co-worker is more than just a generous act - it is also good for business. The cost of holding an intervention and assisting an employee with rehab is often less than locating and retraining a new person for that position.

WORKING WITH A PROFESSIONAL INTERVENTIONIST

Taking on the task of performing an intervention can be a challenge. Working with a professional interventionist makes the entire process go much more smoothly and gives the meeting a higher probability of success.

An interventionist meets with the interested parties before the meeting to discuss the individual in question and learn about their personal history. Then, the professional will advise the group as to how to proceed, providing talking points, choosing a representative to speak for the group and even helping research potential alcohol and drug rehab facilities (this is a crucial point as it is imperative to get the individual into treatment immediately following the intervention).

Finally, a professional interventionist will attend the meeting itself, acting as an impartial figure and helping keep the discourse on topic and insuring that the environment is safe and non-threatening.

WHAT HAPPENS DURING AN INTERVENTION?

At an intervention, concerned parties will join together to describe to the addicted individual how their substance abuse problem is affecting the people in their lives. The whole mood must be kept non-threatening and supportive in order to illustrate the point without being preachy.

Individuals may speak one by one, or elect a leader to speak for the group. The event should be held in a place that the addict finds safe, but not too comfortable or familiar either.

WHAT TO DO FOLLOWING AN INTERVENTION?

As mentioned above, it is important the momentum gained from a successful intervention is maintained when the meeting is over. Friends and family will want to have a bag packed with essentials for the individual and have a representative elected to drive them over to a rehab facility and assist with the admissions process.

It is important to remember that not all interventions work on the first try. Many addicts will still be in deep denial about their problem and may become defensive when confronted by a number of people. Therefore, everyone involved must continue to love and support the individual in question – doing everything in their power to make sure they are safe and proceeding with efforts to get them into an addiction treatment program as soon as possible.

Seasons Recovery Centers is Southern California’s premier alcohol and drug rehab facilitiy. The kind, knowledgeable staff at Seasons can help individuals overcome any number of addictions – and give them the tools they need to change their life for the better. Contact Seasons today for more information.