Across the United States, many Americans see drug addiction as a significant problem in their community. In rural communities, 9 out of 10 Americans say that drug addiction is either a major or a minor problem, while 86% of suburban Americans and 87% of urban Americans say the same.
While it’s difficult to pin down just how many Americans suffer from an alcohol use disorder, the NSDUH estimates that roughly 5.8% of American adults struggle with alcohol addiction.
If someone you love has a problem with an addiction, it can be difficult to know what to do or how to help. For that reason, you might be considering an intervention.
Let’s take a look at what an intervention is and how to organize one.
What Is an Intervention?
Understood in the context of addiction and recovery, an intervention is an organized event where the people close with an addict confront them about how their addiction has impacted all the people around them.
This is an opportunity for friends, family, and sometimes even employers and colleagues to tell the individual how their substance abuse has created issues in their lives.
It can be a bit confusing to use the term “intervention” because this term is often used to describe a number of therapeutic approaches that are commonly used to treat substance abuse. Therapies such as cognitive behavioral therapy, motivational interviewing, and couple therapy might be referred to as interventions.
An intervention in the context used here is not exactly a treatment. Instead, it is a planned attempt by a group with the intention of persuading an individual that their relationship with drugs or alcohol is harming themselves and those around them.
How Does an Intervention Work?
Most rehab centers have counselors on staff who are trained to help families and friends prepare for an intervention. This confrontation always takes place in a specifically selected environment where they are most likely to listen.
In some cases, individuals are completely surprised by interventions. However, some techniques specifically focus on clueing the individual in a few days ahead of time.
Some of the addictive behaviors that might prompt the organization of an intervention include:
- Illicit drug use
- Prescription drug abuse
- Alcohol use
- Compulsive gambling
- Compulsive eating
An interventionist is often hired by the group or family in order to guide the process.
How to Stage an Intervention For a Loved One That Suffers From Substance Abuse Disorder
You will need to prepare both mentally and logistically before putting together an intervention. The topics at hand can be delicate, and it’s important to have a plan ahead of time.
Research the Different Treatment Options Available
Before you confront your loved one in an intervention, you will want to research the different treatment options that are available. That way, you can present them with some detailed treatment suggestions.
Treatment for alcohol and drug addiction can include a number of different options, such as:
- Drug detox services
- Behavioral therapy
- Medication
- Residential treatment
- Motivational interviewing
- Support and self-help groups
In a best-case scenario, the person will agree to get help. In the scenario, you will want to already have a counselor, meeting, or treatment center in mind. Look into whether or not their insurance will cover the treatment plan that seems most appropriate.
Gather an Intervention Team
The following people will frequently be involved with an intervention:
- The individual struggling with substance abuse
- Friends and family
- A professional interventionist
- A therapist
When you are considering who should participate in the intervention, you should also consider who should not be a part of the team. People who have unmanaged substance use disorders or mental health conditions might not be appropriate team members. Similarly, if your loved one particularly dislikes someone, it’s often not a good idea to include them in the intervention.
Hire an Interventionist
The next step is to hire an interventionist. There are a number of organizations that offer certification for interventionists where you could look for options.
You also might consider getting a personal recommendation from someone else who was helped by an interventionist. If you go this route, you will want to think about whether these situations were similar enough to indicate that this interventionist could also work in your circumstance.
You can then ask a potential interventionist a number of questions to help you make the right choice. You want to feel comfortable working with them and ultimately got a good “gut feeling” from them.
Lastly, you should also consider how much it costs to hire a specific interventionist.
Outline Consequences
An intervention is an expression, to some extent, of tough love. It is not the intention to punish your loved one, however, they need to know that there will be consequences if they don’t seek help.
Examples of consequences that you might give them include:
- Taking away their car
- Losing visitation rights with children
- Asking them to move out until they seek help
- Cutting them off from financial support
It’s important that you only give consequences that you are willing to follow through with. State these very clearly and take the time to consider what it means for you and for them.
Understand the Risks
Choosing to perform an intervention is a very. This decision that should be carefully considered. It is best to only do so with the advice of an experienced counselor.
It can be risky to confront someone who has an addiction, and this approach can certainly backfire. Your loved one could end up feeling misunderstood, attacked, and alienated.
When this happens, an addiction can even worsen as a result.
As you can see, there are serious risks associated with an intervention. It should not be done casually or on a whim, but rather after you’ve carefully considered your options.
Find Support For Yourself
Lastly, it can be a good idea to seek support for yourself no matter what the outcome of the intervention is. There are a number of support groups that exist to help families cope with a loved one who has an addiction.
Does Your Loved One Need Help?
When an individual is suffering from an alcohol or drug addiction, the consequences can impact everyone else around them. In some instances, staging an intervention can help them get the treatment that they need to get back on track.
Does someone you love have a substance abuse disorder? If so, contact us today to discuss our professional medical detox services.