How Interventions Work: A Guide For You

how interventions work

Having a loved one with an addiction is not easy, but it’s important to know that you’re not alone. According to a study conducted by the Closing the Addiction Treatment Gap (CATG) initiative, more than 23 million Americans are currently suffering from an addiction to drugs and/or alcohol. To put things in perspective, that’s around one in every 10 Americans above the age of 12. But this doesn’t mean you have to live with the problem and let it continue to wreak havoc on daily life. 

You’ve probably heard of interventions, and when done right, they can be highly effective. Especially if you’ve already tried talking to your loved one about their drug abuse and failed to see any change, an intervention can be the key to helping them finally seek treatment. And with a professional overseeing things, you can make sure your intervention has the best possible outcome. Allow this to be your guide:

How Interventions Work

Each intervention is going to go a bit differently because they are very personal affairs, and every addict’s situation may be different. That said, most interventions will consist of three main components:

  • A gathering of friends and/or family members, each of whom will have an opportunity to express how their loved one’s addiction has been affecting them. They will also use this time to ask the addicted loved one to seek help and say what actions will be taken should they refuse.
  • An intervention leader, who will run the gathering and ensure everyone gets the chance to speak. They will also have a plan of action or treatment options ready for the addicted loved one. A professional intervention leader can be the smoothest way to get things done.
  • An opportunity for the addicted loved one to speak, upon which they will also be encouraged to seek help.

Before you do anything, you will need to start by talking with other people who care about your loved one and may have been affected by their drug abuse. Once you have others who agree to participate in the intervention, you will need to select a time and place. Do not tell your addicted loved one what you are planning, because they may refuse to show up if they know what is in store. Instead, it is usually best to make sure someone else can transport them to and from the event. 

Now, the amount of time interventions take can vary greatly. This is why they should be scheduled for days when everyone is available and is willing to set aside the day to help. Gatherings with more people speaking will naturally take longer, but they can also be more effective. Additionally, some people may initially refuse to seek addiction treatment. Because of this, everyone involved should be prepared to be upfront with their loved one and take certain actions if they refuse treatment (like saying they will cut relationship ties). This can be difficult, but your loved one needs to know what is at stake if they do not start making changes. 

Ensuring an Effective Intervention 

Getting a solid group of family members and friends to participate in the intervention is the best method for effectiveness. However, there are a lot of additional things you can do to help an intervention achieve the best possible outcome (which will be your loved one getting addiction treatment):

  • Speak calmly. Don’t hold back your feelings, but do not get angry or start yelling. If your loved one feels attacked, they will be put on the defensive and will be less receptive to addiction treatment. Speak from a place of love and care, and make it clear you only want what is best for them.
  • Use real-life examples and evidence. It will be most helpful to your loved one if you can help them see how their addiction has specifically affected others.
  • Stay positive and keep hope in sight. Never lose sight of the end goal, which is encouraging your loved one to choose addiction treatment. You are there to show them that they can still save their relationships and change things around
  • Get rid of distractions. Keep the intervention straightforward. It is not like any other gathering, so don’t include things like food and beverages, TV or music, etc. Young children should not be present (the situation may be inappropriate for them anyway), and make sure everyone has their cell phones on silent. 

What Happens After an Intervention?

Interventions should not be left open-ended. Your loved one should have the opportunity at the end to go straight into an addiction treatment program or at the very least be able to choose from pre-selected options already available. Consult with a professional ahead of time to learn more about your loved one’s options and what kind of drug abuse treatment program will be open to them immediately. 

Now, if your loved one decides not to enter addiction treatment, you (and everyone else involved) must stay strong and follow through on your actions as promised (even if this means cutting them off emotionally or financially). In many cases, people eventually come around to the idea of treatment once they realize just how serious their loved ones are. 

Let Us Help You

At Above It All, we understand that families are struggling enough when confronting a loved one’s drug addiction. That’s why we offer free addiction treatment placement services in California. Our caring team is available 24/7 and can assist you in your loved one in everything from finding the right treatment program to assisting with insurance verification and transportation. And because we are dedicated to seeing things through until the end, we also provide care management throughout your loved one’s time in treatment. The time to get help for them is now — we invite you to get in touch with us today to learn more about how we can be of service. 

Family Interventions:

If a loved one is struggling with addiction, waiting for him or her to hit rock bottom or decide to seek treatment is not the best approach to dealing with the situation. The issue of dependency on drugs or alcohol affects the entire family, not just the addict. And the longer the situation is allowed to continue, the more deeply entrenched the disease will become.

Ignoring the problem or making excuses for someone else’s behavior until he or she is “ready” to change is not going to bring the matter to a resolution. Family interventions are the best way to get someone you care for into an inpatient treatment program.

What Is An Intervention?

An intervention is a type of meeting where a group of concerned individuals (family and close friends) get together to present a united front to persuade a person to seek help or treatment for a problem. Ideally, it is held in a neutral location and the discussion somewhere private. This is not a family outing that you can hold in a restaurant or other public place.

Involving A Professional Interventionist

Many families work with a professional interventionist to guide them through this process. These are counselors who can explain how the intervention process works and answer any questions the family may have in advance. The counselor will want to meet with the family members in advance and spend some time getting to know them. Each family is different, and no two interventions are going to be exactly alike.

Everyone who will be present on the day of the intervention will be asked to write a letter that explains exactly how their loved one’s addiction has affected him or her. The goal is not to be angry or confrontational, but rather to share the impact the addiction has had on the entire family in a caring manner.

Consequences For Refusing To Go To A Drug Or Alcohol Treatment Program

Ideally, arrangements have been made in advance for the person to go directly into treatment if he or she agrees to get help. The decision always needs to rest with the individual; however, there needs to be clear consequences for refusing to get help. Family members need to be clear that they are no longer willing to support an addicted family member who continues to drink or use drugs.

Above It All Treatment Center can offer a number of treatment options for your loved one. Our custom drug and alcohol addiction treatment programs are based on each client’s individual needs. We offer short term, long term, and sober living options to help clients achieve and maintain long-term sobriety.

The first step to get on the road to a better life is to get your loved one to agree to seek help. Family interventions bring matters to a head and help you reach that goal.

More Tips On Confronting Addiction In A Loved One

Confronting Addiction In A Loved One

Most individuals who abuse drugs and alcohol do not believe or realize that a problem exists. Addiction has a way of changing people, and confronting an addict about their behavior can be difficult at best. Though approaching an addicted loved one may seem scary, an open mind, proper preparation, plan of action and willingness to discuss the issues at hand will work to ensure that the discussion goes smoothly.

Tips For Confronting And Dealing With An Addicted Loved One

1 – Before the discussion can begin, it is important to touch base with a substance abuse treatment program. You will be better prepared to move forward with the treatment process. The addict will be able to check in and get situated before they have the opportunity to change their mind.

2 – Do your research. Find information regarding why people use drugs, their effects on users, and the consequences associated with routine/long-term abuse. Educating yourself on the facts associated with addiction is crucial, ensuring that when the discussion or intervention takes place, that the focus is facts, rather than emotion.

3 – Engage your loved one with an open conversation by discussing the specific issues they have and which substances they are using. Make sure to listen to what they have to say, showing that you care in a calm, collected and non-judgmental manner.

4 – Offer up information regarding addiction to educate them as to the danger associated with their behaviors. Provide suggestions for rehabilitation and open up the conversation to include various treatment options.

5 – Discuss your concerns with other friends and family members of the addict. Tell them why you are concerned and what steps you are taking to combat the issue. Some people will ignore addiction until a point where the issue is properly illuminated. Opening up the discussion will promote support and communication amongst loved ones while working to ensure that everyone is on the same page.

6 – Consider an intervention. If an addict is hesitant to seek help on their own, an intervention may jump start the process. Interventions allow participants to communicate their feelings and concern to the addict in a direct, calculated and positive manner.

7 – Seek out professional help for the intervention. A trained interventionist will be able to provide an objective and accurate account of the addict’s behavior while serving as a mediator for friends and family members. Many interventionists will also help with the planning process to ensure a positive and productive experience for all involved.

Need Help Facing An Addict Or Addiction?

If you or a loved one is struggling with an addiction to drugs or alcohol, Above It All Treatment Center is the place to call. Pick up the phone today and let our team of addiction specialists help you back on track towards the healthy, happy and fulfilling lifestyle you’ve been missing.

Learn How To Confront Teenage Drug Use

How To Confront Teenage Drug Use

How-To-Confront-Teenage-Drug-UseAdolescence can be a difficult period for many. In addition to studies and hormones, teens must combat peer pressure, social trends and an enhanced curiosity – a recipe for trouble. In order to thwart negative exterior influence, it is important for parents to educate teens as to the dangers and consequences of their actions. If you suspect drug or alcohol use in your teen, it is vital that action be taken to address the issue in an effective and loving manner. Here’s how:

 

Confronting Teen Drug Use

1 – Know your battle by researching statistics and information pertaining to teenage drug use. The more informed you are on the topic, the better able you will be to get your point across. You may even call your local police precinct for additional help, as many keep brochures handy. Scare tactics may work on a minimal level – Care tactics are preferred.

2 – Designate a time to sit down and communicate with your teen in a calm and sober setting. Suggest a walk, drive, or sit down meal where you can enjoy some one-on-one time.

3 – Be respectful! Nobody likes to be talked down to. A parent who allows their emotions to dictate the conversation will enjoy little, to no success. Take deep breaths, speak calmly, and be direct.

4 – Tell your teen about your suspicions. Explain the signs you have noticed and request an explanation. If your teen is unable to offer reasoning for their behaviors or comes up with wild excuses, you can likely affirm these suspicions.

5 – Provide statistics and evidence to stress your point – Drugs are dangerous and unhealthy. Offer insight into the long-term effects of drug and alcohol abuse, including addiction, financial struggle, health issues and memory loss. Placing the issue into a real-world context may provide them with enough reason to stop. Dive into your teen’s personal goals and show how they will be affected if the drug/alcohol use persists.

6 – Share your own experiences with drugs and alcohol. Whether it’s having watched a friend deteriorate or your own dealings, it’s important that your teen know that they are not alone. A personal story will work to illustrate your point while offering a unique perspective on the topic.

7 – Listen! Preaching will get you nowhere if you are unable to communicate on an equal level. Ask why they choose to dabble with drugs. Is it peer pressure? Relaxation? Escape? Create a dialogue that is both safe and open. If you want your teen to be honest with you, they must feel comfortable to do so!

8 – Explain that you cannot approve of your teen’s drug use and that it must stop immediately. Outline consequences if they choose to continue but definitely offer assistance to help them quit.

Looking for a drug and alcohol rehabilitation facility? Contact Above it All drug & alcohol addiction treatment center today!

Read More About Teenage Drug Abuse and the Risks

Why Do An Intervention

Choosing to go ahead with a professional intervention is usually not the first choice a family makes when dealing with a loved one who is addicted to drugs or alcohol. By nature, addiction can be difficult to spot, and the family may go through a period of denial about the seriousness of the situation. Denial is one of the classic signs of addiction, and the person who has the substance abuse issue is going to use denial and deflection as two of his or her tools to focus attention away from the real issue and keep the addiction alive and well.

Once the family realizes that it is dealing with someone who is an addict, they use the methods they are familiar with to try to get that person into treatment. These may include:

  • Reasoning
  • Arguing
  • Nagging
  • Pleading
  • Threatening

Some family members take a completely different view of the situation and may either ignore the issue or start enabling the addict. Neither of these are helpful, either.

Intervention Services Focus on the Family

When a family decides that they would like to bring in an interventionist to work with them, they are enlisting the help of someone who has the skills and experience to help their loved one admit that they need to get help. The family does not have to deal with the situation alone anymore.

During the months and years when an addict has been actively engaged in his or her behaviors, the family has had to deal with the consequences of that persons choices many times. It has been a costly experience, in time, money and in the emotional toll it has taken on everyone around the addict.

Choosing to conduct an alcohol and drug intervention means that the family gets to stop the emotional and financial bleeding.  It doesn’t mean abandoning someone who is willing to get help, though. It means that the family has decided to set some healthy limits on what it considers to be acceptable behavior.

The person who is struggling with addiction is presented with the opportunity to go to treatment. Ideally, arrangements have already been made so that all the loved one has to do is say,”Yes” and then he or she can leave right away. The opportunity to get well is presented in a non-confrontational way. This type of pattern for a California intervention has the best chance of success.

If Your Loved One Needs Help, Get It Now

If you are struggling with finding help for your loved one’s addictive behavior, contact Above It All Treatment Center online, or call us now at 888-997-3006.

Intervention – Step By Step

Once friends and family members have exhausted their energy, efforts and resources on a struggling addict, an intervention is often the best and last available hope. When it comes to locating the best intervention help Los Angeles has to offer, Above It All is the name to trust. If you are considering an intervention for a friend or loved one, the following entry will provide you with an idea of what to expect when hiring Above It All’s team of intervention specialists.

Once you’ve made the decision to seek out professional help, it only takes a quick phone call to our substance abuse rehabilitation facility set the plan in motion. You will be promptly connected with a professional intervention specialist who can answer your questions and schedule a time to meet with you and your family.

During your initial meeting, your invention specialist will walk you and the other participants through the process involved in staging an intervention. Participants will be afforded the opportunity to ask questions, pose concerns and communicate exactly how the addict has impacted their life in a negative fashion. Participants will also be encouraged to write letters to the individual in question, which will be read during the actual intervention. With everything in place, there’s nothing left but to hope for a positive outcome.

Intervention participants will meet up at a neutral location alongside the intervention specialist. In addition to planning and organizing the intervention, your specialist will also serve as a moderator during the actual intervention.

When the subject arrives at the intervention, participants are encouraged to receive them with positive embrace. Though centered around a somewhat negative focus, a negative attitude will do little to aid the process.

If and when a “yes” answer is uttered, your intervention specialist will place the individual on a plane or drive them personally to our beautiful California mountain facility to begin immediate treatment.

Considering Short or Long Term Drug Rehabilitation

How long should inpatient treatment last in a 12 step recovery program? Can a short 30 day program really make a life-changing difference, or would a longer stay encourage better results? Although the choices can be overwhelming, if you or someone you know is searching for help, it’s here. Below we’ll explain a few of the differences between short and long term rehab.

Short term treatment is the most common form of drug and alcohol rehabilitation and is classified as continuous in 30 day treatment programs, while long term treatment ranges from 60-90 days to a full year.

Some studies have demonstrated longer lasting results with longer treatment times. Addiction takes time to develop and recovery can also take time. The most obvious benefit of long term care is that the individual is given time in order to discover and resolve the bedrock issues which led to the use in the first place.

One unavoidable problem with short term care is that the initial drug addiction detox period may extend one or even two weeks into treatment. Depending on the substance of addiction, patients can still feel the fog of addiction until week three. This leaves just one week of care, free of the acute withdrawals, for the person to deal with their issues and get back to their lives. Most people begin their  stays in rehab  ready to do whatever it takes to get clean and sober, but by the end of their stay, they simply focused on doing whatever it takes to get out.

It is not uncommon for addicts to require multiple 28 day stays before the rehab “sticks.” That can be   an emotional and financial drain on  both the addict and the family supporting them.

The bottom line is that every  person is different and the rehabilitation they undergo needs to be customized for them. In choosing what length of time to put into treatment it is most important to remain as objective as possible regarding the situation. To speak with an intervention specialist Los Angeles and learn more, contact us.