Intervention
Initiate Hope With Intervention
One of the earliest stages in helping your loved one with their addiction is through intervention. This process can be helpful and demonstrate how harmful and dangerous their addiction has become, but it can also backfire and deal more damage to your already fragile relationship with them. Here at Good Landing Recovery Detox, we encourage families to stage interventions with the help of an intervention specialist. We also provide resources that will help you understand the elements involved in a successful intervention and how you should reach out to them. If you find an intervention necessary to help your loved one realize they need help, we hope you get in touch with us to plan an intervention.
The Definition of Intervention
An intervention is a very carefully planned process. Loved ones and our trained intervention specialists have worked for days to prepare, and we’re here to lead the process. Interventions aren’t spur-of-the-moment gatherings, and the intervention itself will likely not receive the credit for recovery because recovery is an ongoing process. Determining when to stage an intervention can be difficult. If you suspect a loved one is suffering from drug or alcohol addiction, the first thing you should do is try to approach them in private. If you have already tried to address their problem and they haven’t been receptive, then moving on to an intervention may be necessary. Some signs an intervention may be the best solution:
- They are highly defensive and not willing to listen to anyone’s thoughts about their substance abuse
- They are in denial about how severe their addiction is and the problems it has caused
- Their drug use has become frequent
- They have experienced several setbacks due to their addiction
The Intervention Process
Even if they refuse help, don’t walk away from them. The intervention isn’t the last chance for help, and you should make sure they know that. Offer them love and support. Let them know you’re there to listen when they’re ready to open up about their struggles and that you’ll help them get the treatment they need if they want it.
If you find an intervention to be the best approach to addressing your loved one’s addiction, we recommend the following steps:
1. Contact us.
You will want a professional experience with interventions involved if you genuinely want to help your loved one. Our intervention specialists will have the resources and support you’ll need to help them realize the severity of their addiction and why things need to change.
2. Reach out to the people you want to involve in the intervention.
The ones who have been greatly affected by their addiction are able to support the best and should take part in the intervention process. They may be able to share their personal experiences on how they have been affected.
3. Sit down with loved ones and develop a plan.
Decide when to hold the intervention, who will be involved, and the things you will talk about.
4. Have a plan for dealing with hostility.
If your loved one has made it clear that they do not want help, everyone involved in the intervention needs to present a united front. This involves everyone promising not to enable the addict, which should be made clear to the addict. Their actions need to have documented consequences that may include having no financial support and not being welcome at gatherings if they are under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
5. Rehearse the intervention.
Practicing this process will ensure everyone involved is on the same page. Each person will know when they’re going to read their statement and have the opportunity to edit them.
6. Establish realistic expectations.
Your loved one may refuse help and continue their refusal for weeks or months. Everyone involved in the intervention needs to be committed to the agreed-upon consequences if your loved one refuses help.
What You Should Avoid During an Intervention
There are some things you want to avoid during an intervention. An intervention needs to be a safe space for everyone. Anger, hostility, and shaming will only push your loved one away. Everything needs to come from a place of love, honesty, and support. Here are some other things to avoid during an intervention:
- Labeling your loved one as an addict, junkie, alcoholic, or other negative label makes the assumption that you’re blaming or pointing the finger at them. Remember, the substance is the enemy.
- Don’t define your loved one by the addiction. They are more than that.
- Keep the number of people involved to a minimum. Having too many people involved can seem like you’re ganging up on them and makes intervention much longer than it needs to be.
- Don’t let strong emotions take over. Although people may be upset, keeping a level head is critical. An intervention specialist is very helpful in mediating when things get heated.
- Arrange the intervention when your loved one is not under the influence of drugs or alcohol. The intervention won’t be effective if they aren’t in the right mindset. Ensure they are sober before gathering for an intervention.
Reach Out to Good Landing Today
In order for an intervention to be effective, everyone involved should be educated about addiction and recovery. Good Landing Recovery Detox can help provide all the resources you need. By helping your loved one choose to work with our rehab program, you’re helping them choose to change and live a life full of love, happiness, and faith. Our treatment program addresses the cause of addiction, helps them discover appropriate coping mechanisms, and provides them with the tools they need to transform their life in sobriety. If you’re ready to arrange an intervention and would like more information or to speak with one of our intervention specialists, please reach out to us today.