How To Do an Addiction Intervention
Regardless of how well we think we understand our loved ones or how perceptive we think we are to their needs, wants, and actions, the truth is that they frequently struggle in silence without us realizing it until it is too late.
The need for addiction intervention has become increasingly dire as substance abuse has impacted more and more families and relationships.
The need for addiction intervention has become increasingly dire as substance abuse has impacted more and more families and relationships.
It can be hard to know if your loved one is struggling with substance use disorder. This lack of awareness can be especially common when it comes to drug or alcohol use, but the stakes have gotten too high to ignore or not see a problem when it exists.
Even though it has always been important to try to get your loved one help for addiction as soon as a problem is noticed, the development of more potent drugs has made this even more urgent.
Here are some indicators that someone you love or care about may need treatment, along with recommendations on how to set up an addiction intervention.
Even though it has always been important to try to get your loved one help for addiction as soon as a problem is noticed, the development of more potent drugs has made this even more urgent.
Here are some indicators that someone you love or care about may need treatment, along with recommendations on how to set up an addiction intervention.
Does My Loved One Need An Intervention?
Determining whether a loved one is dealing with a substance use disorder can be tough. For one thing, they may go to extreme lengths to hide their behavior. For instance, many people might find it difficult to differentiate between “casual use” and an increasingly severe substance use disorder, particularly with regards to drinking.
While individual behavior may vary, the following are some of the most common indications that your loved one may require addiction treatment:
While individual behavior may vary, the following are some of the most common indications that your loved one may require addiction treatment:
- Keeping unusual hours and sleeping more or less
- Separating from the rest of your family and dealing with unexpected financial or legal problems
- Absence or reduction in work or education
- Leaving their old circle of friends to get stoned or buzzed with new people
- Going absent for extended amounts of time and returning home intoxicated or high
- Telling you a lie or taking your money
- Putting on or losing a lot of weight
- Behaving erratically, violently, and aggressively without warning
- Preoccupied with drinking or using all the time
- Disinterested toward the things and people that used to bring them joy
- Experiencing anger or distress when probed about their usage
- Physical and psychological withdrawal symptoms
Tips For Organizing An Addiction Intervention
What Is An Addiction Intervention?
An addiction intervention is a gathering of concerned friends, family and/or coworkers with the aim of persuading an individual who is abusing drugs or alcohol to seek treatment.
While the exact makeup and format will be a bit different for everyone based on what their social life and community look like, some of the more common and helpful universal tips include:
While the exact makeup and format will be a bit different for everyone based on what their social life and community look like, some of the more common and helpful universal tips include:
- Work with an interventionist
- Establish a sound plan and follow it
- Select a convenient place
- Limit the number of attendees to a smaller, more intimate group.
- Ask people they love or respect and who are willing to listen.
- Create impact statements.
- Remain direct, objective, and caring
- Make sure the individual knows you’re there to support them, not judge them
- Talk firmly and calmly; avoid yelling or shouting
- Give them an opportunity to talk.
If they continue to deny assistance, you should also clearly outline the repercussions and limitations for accountability and ensure that they are followed.
A crucial element of an effective addiction intervention involves preventing the gathering from devolving into an intense yelling contest and assigning blame. Minimize conflict and keep the conversation on course with the assistance of a trained interventionist.
A crucial element of an effective addiction intervention involves preventing the gathering from devolving into an intense yelling contest and assigning blame. Minimize conflict and keep the conversation on course with the assistance of a trained interventionist.
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