It’s no secret that drug abuse and addiction are profound problems in America. In fact, research studies indicate that there were more than 4.5 million drug-related visits to the emergency room last year. Although half were non-abuse visits, the other half were directly related to drug abuse. This is just one of many startling statistics indicating the presence of a profound problem. In many cases, family members come to realize that one of their loved ones is addicted to a debilitating substance. When this happens, it’s critically important that the family members help the addict attain professional help. Typically, this process begins when loved ones conduct an intervention. Learn more about the basics of intervention by referring to this short outline.
What Is an Intervention?
Develop a Plan to Conduct an Intervention:
To ensure that the intervention is successful, you and your loved ones need to make preparations beforehand. It’s always advantageous to consult with a qualified addiction specialist, mental health counselor, social worker, or a professional interventionist. These people can provide you with detailed information and advice regarding how to move through the intervention in a step by step, streamlined manner that engenders the desired outcome. During this planning stage, intervention participants can learn about the depth and scope of the loved one’s addiction as well as the treatment programs available.
Determine the Consequences of Non-Treatment:
The primary purpose of an intervention is to help the addict realize that she or he needs professional treatment for addiction. However, many addicts refuse to acknowledge this reality and will not agree to enroll in a drug recovery program. Since this could happen, the intervention representatives need to determine what the consequences will be if the addict refuses to receive professional treatment services. Examples of outcomes could be removing the addict’s contact with children or asking the individual to move out.
Write Down What You Will Say:
Although you may think that you will know what to say during the intervention, this is not necessarily the case. Interventions can be quite nerve-wracking, thereby causing people to lose their emotional equilibrium and develop a frantic sequence of thought that makes them inarticulate. However, writing down what you will say beforehand can help you remember all the important points that you want to make when it’s time to speak.
Hold the Intervention:
Once you and the other intervention participants have reviewed everything, it’s time to conduct an intervention. During the intervention, each person on the team will take turns discussing their feelings and concerns concerning the addict’s unhealthy behaviors and attitudes. Each person should cite specific examples indicating the presence of a problem so that the issue becomes understandable and unavoidable to the addict. Make sure that you do not state a consequence unless you are prepared to follow through with it.
Follow Up:
Whether the addict agrees to enroll in a recovery program or not, you should follow up with him or her. Keeping family members and industry professionals engaged and involved is important to help precipitate treatment and facilitate long-term, permanent recovery. Remember that getting the addict enrolled in an inpatient treatment facility is vital. A professional facility will ensure that she or he attains the 24-hour care and services necessary.
Where to Find the Best Treatment for Your Loved One
Helping an individual agree to seek treatment is essential. If you’ve decided that you want to schedule an intervention, the quick reference guide that appears above can be of great assistance. By following the steps outlined here will help get your loved one into an inpatient treatment facility.
More information about how to conduct an intervention can be found by contacting us today. We will also tell you about how our treatment program at New Beginnings is the best option.