An intervention can motivate someone to seek help for alcohol or drug misuse, compulsive eating, or other addictive behaviors. Discover when to hold one and how to make it successful.
It's challenging to help a loved one struggling with any type of addiction. Sometimes a direct, heart-to-heart conversation can start the road to recovery.
But when it comes to addiction, the person with the problem often struggles to see it and acknowledge it. A more focused approach is often needed. You may need to join forces with others and take action through a formal intervention.
Examples of addictions that may warrant an intervention include:
Alcoholism
Prescription drug abuse
Street drug abuse
Compulsive eating
Compulsive gambling
People who struggle with addiction are often in denial about their situation and unwilling to seek treatment. They may not recognize the negative effects their behavior has on themselves and others.
An intervention presents your loved one with a structured opportunity to make changes before things get even worse, and it can motivate him or her to seek or accept help.
What is an intervention?
An intervention is a carefully planned process that may be done by family and friends, in consultation with a doctor or professional such as a licensed alcohol and drug counselor, or directed by an intervention professional (interventionist). It sometimes involves a member of your loved one's faith or others who care about the person struggling with addiction.
During the intervention, these people gather together to confront their loved ones about the consequences of addiction and ask them to accept treatment. The intervention:
Provides specific examples of destructive behaviors and their impact on your loved one with the addiction and family and friends
Offers a prearranged treatment plan with clear steps, goals, and guidelines
Spells out what each person will do if your loved one refuses to accept treatment
How does a typical intervention work?
An intervention usually includes the following steps:
Make a plan. A family member or friend proposes an intervention and forms a planning group. It's best if you consult with a qualified professional counselor, an addiction professional, a psychologist, a mental health counselor, a social worker, or an interventionist to help you organize an effective intervention.
Gather information. The group members find out about the extent of your loved one's problem and research the condition and treatment programs.
Form the intervention team. The planning group forms a team that will personally participate in the intervention.
Decide on specific consequences. If your loved one doesn't accept treatment, each person on the team needs to decide what action he or she will take.
Make notes on what to say. Each team member describes specific incidents where the addiction caused problems, such as emotional or financial issues. Discuss the toll of your loved one's behavior while still expressing care and the expectation that he or she can change.
Hold the intervention meeting. Without revealing the reason, your loved one with the addiction is asked to the intervention site.
Follow up. Involving a spouse, family members or others is critical to help someone with an addiction stay in treatment and avoid relapsing.
A successful intervention must be planned carefully to work as intended. A poorly planned intervention can worsen the situation — your loved one may feel attacked and become isolated or more resistant to treatment.
Consult an addiction professional
Consulting an addiction professional, such as a licensed alcohol and drug counselor, a social worker, a psychologist, a psychiatrist, or an interventionist, can help you organize an effective intervention. An addiction professional will take into account your loved one's particular circumstances, suggest the best approach, and help guide you in what type of treatment and follow-up plan is likely to work best.
Credits: https://www.mayoclinic.org/
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