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.
