When someone you love struggles with addiction, convincing them to go to rehab may become one of your top priorities. Without treatment, your loved one may continue to abuse drugs and alcohol, get into trouble, and cause disruptions within the home. Unfortunately, getting someone to go to rehab isn’t always easy.

There are many reasons why someone may refuse to go to rehab. They may be in denial that they have a problem with substances or feel as though treatment won’t actually work. Others may feel as though their addiction isn’t hurting anyone around them, so they don’t feel pressured to get help.

The opinions of friends and family can have a powerful impact on a person’s choice to go to rehab. If your loved one feels as though their addiction only hurts themselves, you may consider trying to convince them otherwise. By demonstrating to your loved one that their substance abuse is affecting everyone who loves them, you may be able to convince your loved one to get help.

One of the best ways to demonstrate the far-reaching effects of someone’s addiction and get them to agree to get treatment is by staging an intervention. An addiction intervention is a planned event during which friends, family members, and other loved ones come together to confront the addicted individual about their behaviors with the goal of sending them to rehab.

You should never go into an intervention without planning thoroughly, so it’s important to understand exactly how interventions work and the step-by-step process that you should follow.

Step One: Create Your Intervention Group

First, you want to consider who should be involved in the intervention. People you should invite include:

Siblings
Parents
Close friends
Significant others

You shouldn’t invite anyone who has a negative relationship with your loved one or anyone who you think may lash out at the addicted individual.

For best results, keep your intervention team small enough for intimacy but big enough to make an impact. Including 4-6 people in the group is a great idea. Explain to each person why you’d like to stage an intervention, what your goal is, and why it is so important to you.

Step Two: Consult With an Addiction Interventionist

Before you progress any further, consider consulting with a professional drug and alcohol interventionist. An interventionist can work with you and your group, guide you all through the intervention process, and increase the likelihood that your intervention will work. Intervention specialists can provide:

Professional insight into addiction
Guidance to all group members
Mediation during the intervention
Referral to a local rehab center that meets the needs of your loved one

It’s important to note that subjects of an intervention may become angry or defensive at group members when they are confronted about their substance abuse. An interventionist is trained in crisis de-escalation, so they can calm your loved one down and ensure the meeting stays productive.

If you’d like to speak with an intervention specialist about staging an intervention, contact Addiction Intervention today. We’re here 24/7 to assist.

Step Three: Plan the Intervention

Now, it’s time to start planning the intervention. The planning phase involves making written impact statements. Impact statements are descriptive speeches or letters that are meant to explain how another person’s actions have affected you. Each person who will be involved should write their own impact statement, rehearse it in front of the other group members, and receive feedback.

Impact statements should avoid blaming or shaming the addict. They should explain, using “I” phrases, how and why each person is concerned about the addict’s behaviors.

Step Four: Make Arrangements With a Local Drug and Alcohol Rehab Facility

Before you pick a time and place for the intervention, you should speak with local addiction treatment centers to find one that accepts your loved one’s insurance and is ready to admit them to the program as soon as possible. You must have treatment arrangements lined up before you stage the intervention because, if you don’t, you will be scurrying to make arrangements after the intervention, and your loved one will have time to change his or her mind about rehab.

Step Five: Carefully Pick a Time and Place

After making treatment arrangements, you and your group must pick a time and place for the intervention. Pick a place that is neutral, such as a loved one’s living room. Pick a time when your loved one may be sober or at least coherent, such as before or after a work shift.

Step Six: Carry out the Intervention

Finally, it’s time to carry out the intervention. Meet your group at the right time and place, let your loved one know why they are there, take turns rehearsing your impact statements, and give your loved one an ultimatum: go to rehab, or we will no longer enable your addictive behaviors.

Anything can happen during an intervention. Your loved one may be incredibly responsive and agreeable, or they may be irritated and defensive. No matter what, it’s vital that you and your group remain calm, supportive, and non-judgmental. You want your loved one to feel safe and cared for–not attacked.

Step Seven: Follow-Through

If your loved one agrees to treatment, take them to the rehab facility immediately. Do not give them any time to change their mind. Reassure them of any concerns they may have, such as pet care or other responsibilities, so they are not concerned about tying up loose ends before going to treatment. The most important thing is that you get them checked into the rehab facility.

Your role in your loved one’s recovery doesn’t stop by getting them to check into treatment. In fact, people who have the support and involvement of their families in their recovery are more likely to stay sober and healthy. As a result, you should be prepared to continue supporting your loved one during their journey. This could mean attending group therapy sessions, visiting them during rehab, joining a support group, or driving them to their 12-step meetings. Small gestures such as these can help your loved one stay on the right track.

Get Help Staging an Addiction Intervention Today

Helping an addicted loved one isn’t easy, but you are not alone. If you or a loved one are struggling with addiction, our team of qualified addiction specialists can help you find drug intervention services near you. Call now to speak with a dedicated treatment professional.