Did you know that 40.3 million people in the United States struggle with a substance use disorder? If you have a loved one struggling with an addiction, you likely want to do everything in your power to have them seek treatment.

An addiction intervention is often the most successful way of doing this. However, it’s important to note that there is a right way and a wrong way to do an intervention.

That’s why we made this guide. In it, we’ll review some of the do’s and don’t’s of staging an addiction intervention. That way, your loved one has the best possible chances of seeking treatment on their own. Let’s get started!

Do: Get Informed

Remember that different types of addiction require different types of intervention strategies. Confronting someone about their marijuana addiction is a lot different than intervening with a late-stage alcoholic.

So it’s important to do your research on the specific type of addiction your loved one is struggling with.

This will give you better insight into what they’re going through. It will also help you develop an intervention strategy that’s tailor-made for your loved one,

Don’t: Get Too Emotional

Yes, addiction interventions are emotional events. But, there are certain emotions that you should keep out of the intervention. This includes things like anger, frustration, and rage.

The last thing you want is for the addiction to turn into a shouting match. This can create irreparable divides that only worsen the individual’s addiction.

So, try to remain as calm and collected as you can during the process. And avoid inviting family members or friends to the intervention who can’t control the anger they have at the individual (no matter how justified it is).

This will only make the intervention process more complicated and messy.

Do: Consider Hiring a Professional

No matter how much preparation or research you do, you’re bound to run into obstacles with the intervention you’re staging. That’s why it’s important to have a professional in the room.

These individuals are trained to respond to all the inevitable objections that people with addiction bring up. If the intervention starts going how the rails, they have the knowledge to get it back on track.

Addiction interventions that use these types of specialists are typically much more successful at convincing the individual to receive the treatment they need.

Don’t: Force the Individual to Receive Treatment

It’s often for the loved ones of people with substance use disorder to think they know what’s best for the individual. And yes, treatment is likely the best course of action for the person struggling.

But it’s vital that they come to this conclusion on their own. That’s why you shouldn’t force a person with an addiction to receive treatment. Remember that treatment won’t just fix the person.

The sobriety journey is personal. It’s an ongoing process that involves dedication and conviction. That’s hard to accomplish when the person doesn’t want to be there or doesn’t think they belong there.

So, the goal of intervention should be to either get a yes or no answer from the individual.

If they answer no, respect their decision. But don’t give up hope. Remember that interventions can be an ongoing process, especially when the individual is deeply entrenched in their addiction.

Do: Provide Solutions

It’s important to let the person with substance use disorder know that their addiction isn’t a personal failing. It’s a disease that requires treatment. To provide the individual with solutions that can lead them to the path of addiction recovery.

Walk them through all of their treatment options. Typically this begins with detox, but it also includes behavioral therapy, medications, medical devices, treatment of co-occurring mental disorders, and support groups.

These concrete solutions can serve as a light at the end of the tunnel for people who are in a dark place in their lives.

Don’t: Impose Guilt

Remember that the point of an intervention isn’t to make the person struggling feel bad about their addiction. We promise you that no one feels worse about the consequences of their choices than the person with substance use disorder.

So, keep guilt out of the conversation. The goal here is to help the individual see that they need treatment and that they have options for their treatment.

Anything not related to this doesn’t belong in the intervention. If you do have serious grievances with the individual, you can address them constructively after they receive treatment.

Do: Perform the Intervention In a Public Place

Many people think that a private home or apartment is the best place to stage an intervention. However, this can often lead to problems. For one thing, it’s easy for the person to retreat into the bathroom or bedroom when they’re in their home.

On top of that, private settings can often get more emotionally volatile than public settings. Consider staging the intervention at a restaurant or a similar public setting instead.

This can help keep the conversation civilized. Plus, there’s a time limit in a restaurant setting, so the intervention won’t drag on for hours and hours.

Don’t: Negotiate

People with addictions will often try to negotiate during interventions to avoid getting sober. They’ll promise to seek treatment in a week or ask for money before they consider a detox.

Remember that addicts are often convinced that they aren’t actually sick. As such, they’ll do everything they can to hold on to their addiction. So, only accept a yes or no answer from the individual.

Need to Stage An Intervention? Contact Addiction Intervention

We hope this article helped you learn some of the do’s and don’ts of staging a successful addiction intervention. Knowing when to perform an intervention can be challenging.

If you do it too soon, the individual won’t admit they have a problem. If you do it too late, they might be too far gone to seek help. That’s why it’s important to collaborate with the professionals at Addiction Intervention.

We’ll help you decide when the best time for an intervention is, then help you organize the process. So, if you’re ready for the help you need during this difficult process, contact us today.