Steps to an Intervention

Steps to an Intervention
There are a few important stages of consideration that a person may go through as they begin to contemplate whether or not they need to have an intervention for a loved one or family member. Below are several of these stages and the related thought processes to be considered and identified with when making such an important decision:
Do you need an intervention?
  • As a family member, friend or significant other of a person who is abusing drugs or alcohol, you realize that the addiction is having negative impacts on everyone including the addict/alcoholic. Their behaviors are progressively and possibly even rapidly getting worse even though they have made several promises to change.
  • You realize that the substance abuser’s promises to change will not be kept and it appears as though there is no end in sight to the cycle of the abuse. You have basically lost hope and are searching for answers and solutions that will have a positive and lasting impact on the addict.
  • You have discussed your concerns with the person who is using to excess and he or she answered your concerns by suggesting small, yet ineffective changes to resolve their substance abuse problems such as attending a meeting, going to a detox program or doing fewer drugs or more controlled drinking only at certain times in lesser quantities. Despite such efforts, you do not see any significant or permanent changes in the person’s lifestyle.
  • The family is being affected to the point where it is now difficult for them to live a normal life. You have realized that the family unit is fractured as a result of the addictive and self-centered behaviors and actions of the drug abuser or alcoholic. Therefore, you realize that everyone is now suffering either directly or indirectly from the addiction.
  • The family has realized that everyone except the addict or alcoholic is taking responsibility for the addict’s problems which are becoming more prevalent and seem to be multiplying.
  • You have feelings of hopelessness and helplessness about the situation. You realize that making a permanent change seems almost impossible and you feel you exhausted all other possibilities. You realize that all of the little adjustments you have made over the years to cope with the situation seem to have little positive effect and the substance abuse and self-destructive behaviors are continuing in never ending cycle despite any efforts on your part. The results of this cycle always seem to end up with the drug abuser or alcoholic continuing their path of destruction and you have become fearful for their well-being and their life.
What does an intervention involve?
The steps to an intervention are actually quite simple. First, a family will meet with one of 449 Recovery’s intervention counselors to discuss the details of the addiction and the associated behaviors and consequences that they have experienced as a result of the substance abuse. They will also discuss the current emotional state of mind of the addict/alcoholic in order to determine the best route to reach him/her. This process involves setting up series of meetings, usually involving a conference call and/or a face-to-face meeting with family members, friends and loved ones to decide the best approach for the intervention. It is very important that the intervention counselor is highly informed and provided with as much detail about the addict as possible. The more knowledge the counselor has about the addict, the easier the intervention process will be and the higher the likelihood of the person accepting the offer to receive help and treatment is increased substantially. When the interventionist is properly prepared with details and information about the person who will be the subject of the intervention, he or she has what is necessary to assist the family and loved ones in their efforts to reach the addict on the day of the intervention. At 449 Recovery, we understand that the entire family wants to help; however, having the entire family at the intervention is not always the best solution. This really all depends on what the counselor and the family members feel is the best solution and approach to persuading the addict or alcoholic to accept the gift of treatment and accept help.

If you feel that any of these items have occurred in your family then setting up a no obligation session with a counselor is the next step. Contact us today to set up an Intervention for a friend or a loved one. You can easily schedule an intervention on line with one of our counselors. Simply click here and one of our counselors will contact you right away.