An intervention is a necessary step in the decision-making process for some men and women who need treatment for substance use disorder. When used, an intervention can provide a way for family members to encourage a loved one to seek help. A successful intervention requires a lot of preparation and planning, including a pre-intervention consultation.
Who Needs an Intervention?
Some people don’t recognize the risks of continued drug use. More commonly, they have become physically dependent on the drug to the point that when they stop using it, they face intense cravings and debilitating withdrawal symptoms. When dependence is present, the person is rarely able to quit on their own, even if they are experiencing negative consequences of their addiction.
When someone is in the throes of dependence and addiction, seeking out treatment isn’t usually something they have the capacity to do on their own. They may be in denial that their substance use is harming them, or they may be too discouraged to believe that treatment will work. The goal of an intervention is to show a person that treatment is their best option.
Some signs that a person may benefit from an intervention include:
- Continued, worsening use of drugs or alcohol
- Worsening health conditions and disease
- Worsening of underlying mental health disorders
- Unwillingness to admit their addiction or the severity of it
- Financial difficulties, problems maintaining relationships, inability to meet responsibilities
- Previous overdoses or relapses
If you feel your loved one needs drug and alcohol treatment now, consider the value of an intervention.
It’s hard to admit your loved one needs help. It may seem easy enough to believe they can stop using on their own. But doing nothing could put their life on the line. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention state that in 2018, 67,367 people died of a drug overdose. There is no time to wait.
So How Do You Get an Intervention Started?
After an initial call to gather information, a pre-intervention consultation occurs. All those who plan to participate (typically, just close friends and family who are directly impacted by the addiction) meet with the interventionist to plan the intervention. Several things occur during this meeting:
Determining the Role: One of the first things outlined is each person’s role in the intervention. Each person needs to communicate what they plan to do and achieve during the intervention. Why is the person there? How has the addicted affected them? This information is key. It allows the interventionist to help formulate a plan for how to approach the individual.
Setting Rules: During the pre-intervention consultation, boundaries are set. The interventionist reviews some basic rules about what will be discussed and how each person should present themselves. The group comes to an agreement on their goals.
Setting Boundaries: What are the new rules the loved one will have to follow after the intervention? Because the goal of an intervention is to get a person into treatment, the most common rule discussed is for that person to seek out and maintain all addiction treatment meetings and sessions.
Setting Consequences: What happens if the person does not meet those boundaries? The interventionist helps the group determine consequences, which may include not providing the person with a place to live, no longer offering money to meet their needs, or not providing access to children when a person is high. These are difficult decisions to make. It’s hard to state that you will no longer provide your loved one with a place to live if they continue to use. But continuing to support your loved one financially only enables their addiction.
Creating Effective Letters and Communications
Another step in the pre-intervention process is learning how to write an effective letter to your loved one. Your interventionist will provide strategies and tips for letter-writing. Generally, letters should be heartfelt, specific, and to the point. These letters will be read to the loved one during the intervention. Share only what you are most comfortable with but in as much detail as possible.
Interventions led by a trained professional are more effective and more likely to result in a better outcome. Following that professional’s recommendations is key.
Our intervention specialist at DK Solutions Group will work with you throughout this process. As difficult as it may be to confront your loved one, an intervention can be the catalyst for getting your loved one into drug and alcohol treatment. Reach out to our team to learn how we can help you.