Call Us Now (844) 508-0979What is a Drug and Alcohol Intervention?
Addiction is a devastating condition that affects nearly 21 million Americans.[1] Not only does addiction affect the person who is abusing drugs or alcohol, but it can also cause immense emotional harm to families and loved ones.
Watching someone you love battle an addiction to drugs or alcohol is painful and scary. You may beg or plead for them to go to rehab and get help, only to be let down by constant refusal or denial. Unfortunately, this is a common occurrence–many people who struggle with addiction refuse to get help or acknowledge that they have a problem in the first place. It is often up to friends, family members, and other loved ones to convince the person to get treatment.
But what can you do if someone continues to refuse treatment day after day? One solution is to stage a drug and alcohol intervention. An intervention may be able to help your loved one realize that treatment is necessary.
What is a Drug and Alcohol Intervention?
A drug and alcohol intervention, or an addiction intervention, is a carefully planned event where individuals gather to try and convince their loved one to go to rehab. Participants take turns expressing their concerns and how their loved one’s addiction has impacted them personally. The goal is to make the person realize that their substance abuse has gotten out of control and that they can benefit from getting treatment.
You may have heard of an intervention before, as they were popularized in the reality TV show “Intervention” which has aired since 2005. The show depicts dramatic, emotion-filled meetings between people struggling with addiction and their families. While this is the reality of interventions for many people, there is a lot more that goes on behind the scenes than what is shown on TV.
If your loved one is struggling with addiction, an intervention may be the best thing you can do for their well-being. This is especially true if your loved one can’t care for themselves or is in danger of harming themselves or others.
What Happens During an Intervention?
Before the actual intervention is held, it is recommended to collaborate with an addiction specialist or interventionist who can guide you through the process. Involving a professional can make your intervention more effective.
The planning process typically involves:
- Forming an intervention group
- Writing impact statements
- Picking a time and place
- Making treatment arrangements
During the intervention, group members will take turns reading their impact statements to demonstrate to the addict just how serious their substance abuse has become. Impact statements are meant to open the addict’s eyes and help them realize that they need to go to rehab if they ever want to get better and have a healthy relationship with their loved ones.
Drug and alcohol interventions can go smoothly, but they can also be full of emotions. Your loved one may be receptive and agreeable, or they may get angry or defensive. Everyone should stay as calm as possible and focus on the goal: convincing the person struggling with addiction to go to rehab.
What is the Goal of an Intervention?
The goal of an intervention is simple: convince someone who is refusing to go to rehab to get the help they need to get sober and stay sober.
Many people who struggle with addiction truly don’t realize that their behaviors are affecting others. They may think that their addiction only affects them, so they have no reason to stop using drugs or drinking alcohol. An intervention can help your loved one realize just how harmful their behaviors are to the people around them.
How Do I Get Started With Staging an Intervention?
If you are considering hosting an intervention for an addicted loved one, the best way to get started is to consult with an addiction specialist. A professional can evaluate your loved one’s needs, help you find the right treatment center based on your loved one’s needs, and guide you through the intervention. They can even be present during the intervention to act as a mediator, ensuring that the process remains productive.
Speak with a professional drug and alcohol interventionist at Addiction Intervention today to get help for yourself or an addicted loved one.
Find Drug and Alcohol Intervention Support Today
When friends and family come together for a common cause, interventions can be extremely successful. Here at Addiction Intervention, we understand just how frustrating it can be when someone refuses to get the help they need, but that’s why we’re here to help.
Drug and alcohol interventions aren’t as scary as they seem. They are all about changing the way family members think and react while urging those who are struggling with addiction to seek professional help.
Change starts with the family. So, what are you waiting for? Waiting for an addicted loved one to hit rock bottom is never going to happen if the family is enabling their destructive behaviors. Our addiction intervention specialists are here to help. Call today to get support with the drug and alcohol intervention process.
References:
