Interventions

Why an intervention?

An intervention is an important event created by the family and friends of a person struggling Substance Use Disorder.

The hope and intent is to help the person realize they have a problem, they need help, they are being offered treatment and they have support.

Those who suffer from addiction are usually in denial about their current situation. They typically do not seek treatment on their own and are unable to recognize the negative effects their behavior has on themselves and the people around them.

An intervention gives your loved one the opportunity to get help before it is too late.

An intervention can be an uncomfortable and difficult process for everyone involved, but it can be motivational for a person and lead them to accept help.

WHAT IS AN INTERVENTION

A formal intervention can be organized by family and friends. For an intervention to be successful, it must be well planned. Often times, if the family or loved ones, have no experience in planning an intervention, it may be wise to involve the consultation of an expert. This can be a doctor, licensed alcohol and drug counselor, or an intervention professional known as “interventionist.” The process is performed with individuals who care about the person struggling with addiction including, spouses, siblings, parents and friends.

HOW AN INTERVENTION CAN HELP:

Provides loved ones time to reassure the individual struggling that they are loved and supported.
An intervention can motivate someone to seek help for alcohol or drug misuse.
Sometimes a direct heart-to-heart conversation can start the road to recovery.
Gives the addicted individual an overview of the consequences of his/her actions if he/she chooses to steer clear from a treatment course.
Offers a prearranged treatment plan with clear guidelines and goals.
Asks them to accept treatment.

Who should be on the intervention team?

People who are all important in the life of your loved one.
Individuals whom he/she cares, likes, respects, and loves.
A professional interventionist for alcohol and drug abuse can help you decide on the appropriate members of your intervention team.
If a person is currently struggling with their own substance abuse issues, they should not be included on the team.
A person of faith.

Facing an alcohol or drug addiction is a lonely and scary proposition,

but when a person realizes friends and family members are there

for support, the addicted individual can get the

encouragement needed to start their pathway to recovery.

Parents Need Support

Parents of Addicted Loved ones (PAL), provides hope and support through addiction education for parents dealing with an addicted loved one. PAL groups help parents realize they are not alone by sharing stories and information that may help your family.

The disease of addiction is considered a family disease, because the effects are far reaching, causing fear, irritability, anxiety and chaos among family members.
It can feel like walking on egg-shells 24/7, because you never know when havoc is going to strike next.

PAL GROUP

DON'T INCLUDE ANYONE WHO:

Your loved one dislikes.
May unintentionally sabotage the intervention.
Has mental health issues or substance abuse problems that are not being managed.
May not be able to control what he or she says.
If there is a person who you think is important to have at the intervention, but you're worried that they may create an issue, have them write a letter to be read by someone else during the intervention.

PLAN AHEAD:

Invite 5-6 people to be a part of the intervention.
Have 1 or 2 meetings prior to the intervention. These meetings should be held secretly, in a private place.
Everyone involved in the intervention writes a letter that will be approved by the group and/or interventionist, prior to the intervention.
Decide the chronological order each person will read their letter.
Make sure everyone involved understands that to be successful, they read their letter, wait for a response, if the response is, "No," the next person begins reading their letter.
For more specific details go to Mayoclinic.org, Intervention: Help a loved one overcome addiction.
If the program or treatment for your loved one requires travel, you should make arrangements ahead of time.
You might want to consider pre-packing a suitcase.
Have gas in the car.
Have snacks and drinks in the car so that you do not have make stops.
Do not let the person out of your sight after they agree to go. Follow them to the bathroom, do not let them "have a minute" to themselves, etc. This will only give them opportunity to possibly use drugs or get drugs they have possession of, before they go.
When an individual agrees to go, it is essential that you leave at that moment. That is why you need to have a well structured plan in place.

How to find a treatment program to offer:

One option is to seek help from your insurance company. They should have a list of "Evidence-based treatment" facilities.
You can also attend meetings in your area like PAL (parents with addicted loved ones). People at PAL will more than likely have experiences, (both good and bad), with facilities. It is always helpful to get advice from people going through the same experience that you are. PAL is also a great support system that helps people realize, that are not alone.
Treatment options can vary to some degree – and that can depend on the intensity of the addiction.
Detox is not enough, 30 days in a rehab facility is not enough, a sober living environment after rehab is recommended. Remember, it will take a lot of time in structured recovery, hard work, and practice for the addicted individual to learn how to live the rest of their life as a person in recovery.
It is very important for family members to get support and counseling. Families learn what their role is in the recovery of their loved one, what they can expect during recovery and how to care for themselves.
Treatment can cover a variety of areas, ranging from education and counseling, to vocational courses and life skills training. A treatment may include a specific set of addiction approaches specifically designed for each individual.

Make preparations in advance for a treatment center.

KEEP THESE POINTS IN MIND:

Check if your insurance plan covers the treatment you want to move forward with.
Contact a trusted addiction professional, mental health expert, or doctor and talk about the best treatment option for your loved one. Make sure to ask for recommendations about the different programs that have Evidence-based-Treatment.
You can also check with your local clinics or go to support groups.
Beware of companies who may be "head hunters". Some facilities pay people to bring individuals to their facilities. Head hunters reel you in, giving the impression they care about what is best for your loved one, when in fact they are only "in it" for the money.
Understand the different steps involved in admission, so you can set expectations at an early stage. This can include, but not limited to, waiting lists, insurance pre-certification, as well as consultation, and evaluation appointments.
Stay away from treatment centers that promise quick fixes.
Make sure to avoid programs that seem to implement uncommon methods or treatments.

How can you help ensure a successful intervention?

Interventions involve a lot of intense emotions for everyone involved. In fact, the process of arranging an intervention can result in anger, conflict, and resentment toward the addicted individual. As well as confusion, guilt, worry and anxiety while planning the intervention. All of the same emotions can be felt by the addicted individual because, you planned all of this "behind their back." They feel like a target and it will probably make them feel more guilt and shame. None of it is easy.

For a successful intervention, keep these factors in mind:

Holding an intervention on the spur of the moment will not help. The process can require weeks to plan, if you want to make it successful.
Choose a time when your loved one is least likely to be under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
Be sure you understand what your loved one’s addiction is. DO NOT accuse the individual of anything unless you are 100% sure of what you are saying.
A single person on the team should be appointed as a liaison. When you have a person who can act as the point of contact for the intervention team, communication and success can be achieved. If you chose not to hire an interventionist, do your research to help make the intervention successful.
Remember to always share information relating to your loved one’s addiction. This is going to be helpful at the intervention as everyone will be on the same page.
Stage a rehearsal intervention to determine the chronological order each members reads their letter, plan a seating arrangement, and other important details. Your goal is to prevent stumbling from happening during the intervention.

What if your loved one refuses help?

As mentioned above, interventions can be unsuccessful. Your loved one may refuse the treatment course or program. He/she may even burst out in anger and insist that treatment is not an option. In addition, he/she can become resentful towards members of the team.

Always prepare yourself for the possibility of being refused. And while the situation can be worse, it is important that you remain positive and hopeful for a change. If he/she refuses help, then do not force it; instead, try to find a different approach and follow through with changes you or other members presented.

At the end of the day, you do not have full control of your loved one’s actions and decisions. You should not blame yourself if the situation goes south. However, by being positive and hopeful, you can eventually motivate your loved one to have a better grasp of his/her current situation.

If the intervention does not work, remember to avoid further enabling the destructive cycle of your loved one’s addiction.