Published on May 29th, 2019
Do you have a loved one with a drug addiction?
Addiction is defined as the condition of being addicted to a certain substance, thing or activity.
Addicts tend to lose control over the things they do no matter the consequences.
Are you thinking about staging an intervention? Are you wondering how to have an intervention? Specifically a drug addiction intervention?
If you’ve never dealt with someone with an addiction, the idea of stepping in can be daunting. Read on to learn how to stage an intervention and get your loved one on the road to recovery.
Is An Intervention The Answer?
You’re watching someone struggle with an addiction, but is it your job to set up a drug intervention? Is an intervention the answer?
It is widely known that following an intervention, addicts are more inclined to seek treatment than those who are not the subject of an addiction intervention.
So, in that sense, an intervention works and is the answer. But, there is little data to support whether or not the intervention has an effect on the outcome of the treatment.
What Is An Intervention?
An intervention is when family members, friends and/or professionals get together to confront someone about their addiction with the hope that the person will make a change in their behavior and seek treatment.
Sometimes an intervention is a planned, formal process with a healthcare professional. Sometimes, it is more informal.
There are important elements to include whether it’s formal or informal:
- Give examples of the addict’s destructive behavior
- Shed light on how that behavior affects each one of you
- Offer a plan for treatment
- Outline what refusing treatment will mean for each of your relationships
How To Stage An Intervention
In order for the intervention to be effective, there are a few important steps to follow. Let’s take a look at how it should work.
1. Make A Plan
Who are you going to involve? Which friends or family members will you include? Are you going to hire an intervention specialist?
The point of the intervention is to get the addict to admit to a problem and agree to seek treatment.
An intervention specialist and the right people will keep the conversation going and get the addict past denying there is a problem.
2. Do Your Research
Gather all of the information you can on your loved one’s addiction. Research the effects of the drugs, what they do to a person and various treatments available.
3. Write A “Script”
What is the message you want to convey to your loved one? Your message should be carefully planned. Use language that is not accusatory, but rather tells how the addict’s behavior effects each person present.
Use ‘I’ statements rather than ‘you’ statements.
4. Hold The Meeting
At an arranged time and place, have your loved one meet you and the group without knowing the reason for the meeting.
Each person present takes a turn informing the addict of how their behavior is affecting them.
Offer treatment options. Try to get them into a detox program. Give an example of how things will change on your end if treatment is refused.
There’s Always Hope
Now that you know how to stage an intervention, you can begin planning one for your loved one. Visit us for advice on other health and lifestyle issues.
