Does someone you know need a drug or alcohol intervention?
Every time the phone rings are you worried what bad new it will bring? When your loved one, who is addicted to drugs or alcohol, leaves do you fear it will be the last time you see them alive? Are you afraid that something tragic will happen and you will be left with feelings of guilt because you didn’t do something? Are you and your wit’s end with your loved one and their addiction? Have you exhausted all of your resources to help the addict? If the answer is yes to any of these questions then it might be time for an intervention.
What is an intervention?
A successful intervention is never spontaneous. Family, friends or co-workers together plan to confront a loved one about his or her self-destructive behavior (generally an addiction to drugs or alcohol) and to get the loved one to seek professional help by checking into a drug rehabilitation center. There are two types of interventions:
- Informal. An informal intervention can be as simple as having a one-on-one conversation with the alcohol or drug dependent person in which you ask questions or make observations about how their behavior has negatively affected their life and yours.
- Formal. A formal intervention is a structured conversation with the addictive person that involves a group of people who are important to the addict. Formal interventions are usually used when the addictive person repeatedly refuses to get help. It is encouraged that this confrontation is done with dignity and respect. Clear instructions for getting help are provided along with clear consequences if the help is refused. Often there is a prior meeting were plans are set and the group practices what they are going to say to the addict.
Interventions can be done alone or with the help of an interventionist, but interventions without professional guidance should be navigated very carefully, if not avoided altogether. Interventionists are specially trained counselors who can help you conduct the intervention in a safe and often more productive manner. Working with a professional also allows you to focus on your personal contribution to the intervention and let go of the pressure of managing everyone and keeping a positive but firm environment. The interventionist will assist you and your loved ones from the planning the intervention, to escorting your loved one to the rehab facility, to aftercare and recovery.
The goal of an intervention is to get the person to agree to get help immediately by attending a drug and alcohol treatment program. Just promising to stop the behavior is not an acceptable conclusion.
What types of behavior are interventions used for?
Interventions can be used to address several self-destructive behaviors. The most commonly thought of interventions are for drug or alcohol abuse, but they can also be used for eating disorders, sex addiction, gambling, self-mutilation, internet/computer addiction, and several types of poor personal health care decisions or actions that are harmful.
How do I choose a good interventionist?
A good interventionist is usually a licensed or certified professional and will have specialized training in interventions. Don’t be afraid to ask questions about their experience, qualifications and skills. The most important thing when choosing an interventionist is that you trust the person. If you feel uneasy or don’t agree with their methods, move on. At Recovery Ways we work with a number of highly trained and exceptional interventionist across the country. Our admissions staff will be happy to give you the name and contact information for someone who will suit your individual needs. Call 877-686-6751
Intervention Models
- The Storti Model of intervention personifies the motivational, inspirational and spiritual method of working with the addictive person. It encompasses the family and brings about a moment in one’s life where the solution (treatment) is offered as a gift. The Storti Model brings about a group of people who honor the addictive person on the day of the intervention, presenting treatment as a gift, new life and rebirth.
- The SYSTEMIC Intervention Model recognizes addiction as a disease that affects and involves entire families, including the “workplace family.” It is a disease of denial characterized by unhealthy coping and attempts to manage the “problem.” It is an alternative to traditional confrontational intervention models because family, friends, and colleagues form a team to work with the addictive person and address the issues in a loving and respectful manner. It is a successful system precisely because the focus is on patient, but firm, coaching instead of negative confrontation.
- The ARISE Intervention Model involves family members in a collaborative intervention process that reduces guilt and blame and allows the family, interventionist, and addictive person to stay focused on helping the addict get into treatment.
- The JOHNSON Intervention Model raises the bottom for an addict, which is often death, by compassionately confronting the addict with the consequences of their addiction. The bottom is raised by precipitating a crisis in the addict’s life that is not threatening, damaging, or fatal and compels them into treatment.
What can I expect during an intervention?
The first step of an intervention is gathering everyone who is significant to the addictive person (family, friends, coworkers, neighbors, etc.) to discuss the details with the interventionist. Discuss children’s presence with the interventionist.
The next step is to meet with a professional who can educate them about what to expect. Everyone decides together how the intervention will take place, identify who will be involved in the intervention, and develop a plan for drug and alcohol rehab treatment. Often, families will write letters describing the impact the addict’s behavior has had on them.
Finally, the group will meet with the addictive person to express their love and concern and present facts about the impact the addictive person an their addiction has had on their lives. The support group must show they are unwilling to ignore the addictive behavior any longer, create a clear understanding of the addict’s activities that will no longer be tolerated, financed or participated in, if the addict does not get help at a treatment center for drug and alcohol abuse.
The loved ones who participate in the intervention will often feel apprehensive, frustrated and angry. This is normal, and the ability to express these feeling with the addictive person will help everyone begin the process of healing and recovery.
Be prepared for the addictive person to deny their addiction and to be very defensive, hostile or angry. Don’t let this deter you from your end goal of getting them professional help in an addiction treatment center. Help is available now at Recovery Ways, Call 877-686-6751
Intervention tips
- Enlist the help of a professional to plan the intervention if there is no interventionist have a staff member from the drug rehab center there to assist
- Decide who is going to be there
- Approach the addict when they are sober
- Stay calm, the tone of the intervention should be of love and concern
- Give specific examples of how the person’s addiction has negatively affected their life
- Be prepared for denial and resentment
- Be supportive and hopeful about change
- Have all arrangements with a drug rehabilitation treatment center ready (including bags packed) so that treatment can begin immediately following the intervention, there should be no delay
- Be prepared to follow through on your consequences
- Sometimes an intervention is the seed that is planted and leads to the addictive person getting help in the future
Recovery Ways can help you determine which model and interventionist is right for you and your family.
Call 888-986-7848
