Interventions are so important, as they are known to be critical to the success of an addicted person turning his or her life around. People who are afflicted with an alcohol or drug addiction are confronted by their friends and loved ones, and from there they are lovingly assisted onto a new path where they can start fresh. Because it is such a powerful way of transforming people, it is important for an intervention to be held in the most successful way possible.
With as many as 23.5 million people over 11 years of age abusing alcohol or drugs, action is needed now more than ever. Sadly, a mere 2.6 million of those affected have received the attention they needed at the proper facility.
Why Intervene?
There comes a time where there is no denying a person you love is in trouble. They shirk their responsibilities, lash out and become more and more isolated. You cannot stand to see this person crumbling apart any longer. This is when it is time to step in. And because addicted individuals are not easy to deal with when it comes to their problems, this is something you cannot do alone.
You must pull together mutual friends and family to bring the issue to the forefront. Surrounding the victim with loved ones who express their concern, support, and compassion can help to trigger a realization in addicts of the harm they are causing themselves and others. Very few drug or alcohol abusers can recognize their problems until an intervention is held for their benefit.
How to Assure a Successful Intervention
To most effectively help an addicted person, it is necessary to plan, organize, and execute properly. Interventions, when done right, are proven to have an up to 95 percent success rate in persuading the subjects to seek help. But the key to success is a qualified facility. As The National Intervention for Drugs and Alcohol so aptly put it, “Don’t be fooled by [any] sites making outlandish claims, like a 95 [percent] success rate.” Success is dependent on the patient and the facility’s qualifications and treatment plan. What can you do to maximize your success in reaching a person under the effects of drugs and alcohol?
An Interventionist
Hire a professional. While it’s true those who are closest to the victim should be responsible for initiating an intervention, you will need a qualified professional to assist in this difficult task. The subject of the intervention will be uncomfortable, and it’s likely your loved one will do whatever he or she can to escape the situation. For this reason, hiring an interventionist can help keep you strong when your loved one fights back. They are professionals who know all the tricks and tactics an addict will use, and can remain emotionally unattached to prevent the subject from wriggling free. And in the off chance that person becomes violent or aggressive, an interventionist will know what to do.
Choosing the Right Group
When pulling together a group of people for an intervention, you must create a strong team. You will want to find individuals from every part of the subject’s life. Having an even spread of people helps prevent the addicted person from blanketing one group as being against them.
The Intervention Planning Process
Now is not the time to improvise. Everyone involved must enter knowing exactly what he or she wants or needs to say. Equally important is the way in which you plan on delivering your message. Anger and accusation will get you nowhere, so practice addressing the individual with kindness and compassion. Let them know you still love them while expressing how their actions have harmed you.
Write down your feelings in the form of a script, and rehearse your part in this effort. Keep going over what you will say until you feel you have established the right tone with the proper amount of compassion.
While you don’t want to be too harsh, you will need to be firm. Come prepared with specific consequences, should the subject continue to deny help or treatment. It should be something you are capable of carrying out immediately.
Intervention Execution Matters
It may be tempting to slide into accusation making, shaming, or anger, especially depending on what the person may have done to you in the past, but whatever you do, remain calm. The environment needs to be filled with love, caring, and concern for their well-being.
Should your addicted loved one be aware of what’s coming? Some believe an invitational intervention can be successful though the majority of interventions are held unbeknownst to the person being addressed. The choice is yours, as long as you are aided by a professional who can carry out the proceedings accordingly.
Regardless of the subject’s awareness to the event, it is important for them to be given a specific plan of action for their recovery. Do not let them think it over; they should be persuaded to make their decision immediately.
When it comes to intervention, it is always critical to have a follow-up plan. While you and your group may feel successful in the intervention itself, problems can re-emerge. Do not be fooled by compliance and good behavior – even if your loved one shows remorse and cooperation. Stay strong in your decision to have them committed to a treatment plan. And even when they begin, often the addicted person will not fully change their ways and do everything they can for their recovery. It is for this reason you must remain diligent and continue to be by their side every step of the way.
Leave it to the Experts
Remember, a trained professional can help you during this difficult time. Not only will they assist you through the intervention process, but they can provide an evaluation for your loved one to determine what is needed for their recovery. Certain cases will require some form of supervised detox, and possibly treatment involving medication. For these reasons, it is unwise to take on an addicted person’s recovery without professional assistance.
If you have a loved one whose life is being ruined by drug and alcohol abuse, now is the time to step in and initiate change. They cannot do it alone. Let this person know you are there for them, and that together you will make it through this trying time.