What is an Addiction Intervention?
An addiction intervention is a carefully planned meeting between a person who is struggling with drug or alcohol addiction and their loved ones. The overall goal of an intervention is to help the person realise that they have a problem and to encourage the person to seek treatment.
Addiction interventions can be a very effective way to help people struggling with addiction. However, it is important to remember that interventions are not a guarantee that the person will seek treatment. If the person is not willing to accept help, the intervention may not be successful.
Preparing for an Intervention
When it comes to drug and alcohol interventions, planning is absolutely essential. Here are some tips on how to prepare for an intervention:
Create The Intervention Team
Gather a team of people who care about the person struggling with addiction. This team should include family members, friends, and other trusted individuals.
Do Your Research
Research the person’s addiction and treatment options. This will help you to understand the severity of the problem and to be able to offer the person accurate information about treatment.
Choose the Time and Place
Choose a time and place for the intervention that is safe and comfortable for everyone involved. The intervention should be held in a private setting where the person will not be interrupted.
Know What to Say
Plan what you will say. Each person on the team should write down what they want to say to the person struggling with addiction. Be sure to focus on the person’s behaviour and the impact it is having on their life rather than on their character.
Practice
Practice what you will say. This will help you remain calm and focused during the intervention and make it more likely for the intervention to work.
Have a Backup Plan
If the person does not agree to seek treatment after intervention, you should have a plan in place for how you will proceed.
Here are some additional tips on preparing for an intervention:
- Be respectful and compassionate. The goal of an intervention is to help the person, not to shame or blame them.
- Be clear and direct. The person struggling with addiction needs to understand the seriousness of their problem.
- Offer support and resources. The intervention should end with the person knowing that they have support and resources available to them.
- Get professional help. If you are not sure how to plan an intervention, it is a good idea to get help from a professional interventionist.
How Does a Drug or Alcohol Intervention Work?
An intervention can work, as long as you take the steps needed. Here is how a drug or alcohol intervention typically works:
- The intervention team will gather together and discuss the person’s addiction. They will share their concerns about the person’s behaviour and the impact it is having on their life.
- The team will decide who will speak during the intervention and what they will say. It is important for each person to be clear and direct but also respectful and compassionate.
- The alcohol or drug addiction intervention will be held in a private setting where the person will not be interrupted. The team will share their concerns with the person and will offer their support and encouragement to seek treatment.
- If the person struggling agrees to seek the treatment they need, the team will help them to find a treatment programme that is right for them.
- If the person does not agree to seek treatment, the team will have a plan in place for how they will proceed. This may include setting boundaries with the person or seeking professional help.
The Addiction Intervention Process
A drug or alcohol intervention usually includes the following steps:
- Gathering the team. The first step is to gather a team of people who care about the person struggling with addiction. This team should include family members, friends, and other trusted individuals.
- Planning the intervention. Once the team is assembled, it is important to plan the intervention carefully. This includes deciding who will speak, what they will say, and how they will say it. It is also important to choose a time and place for the intervention that is safe and comfortable for everyone involved.
- Conducting the intervention. The intervention itself is typically a short, focused meeting. The team will share their concerns about the person’s addiction and will offer their support and encouragement to seek treatment.
- Following up. After the intervention, it is important to follow up with the person struggling with addiction. This includes checking in with them to see how they are doing and to offer continued support.
Here are some additional tips for planning an effective addiction intervention:
- Be respectful and compassionate. The goal of an intervention is to help the person, not to shame or blame them.
- Be clear and direct. The person struggling with addiction needs to understand the seriousness of their problem.
- Offer support and resources. The intervention should end with the person knowing that they have support and resources available to them.
- Get professional help. If you are not sure how to plan an intervention, it is a good idea to get help from a professional interventionist.
If you are considering staging an intervention for someone struggling with addiction, there are many resources available to help you. You can find information and support online, or you can contact a local drug or alcohol addiction treatment centre.
After the Intervention
There are two possible outcomes of an intervention: the individual refuses to seek treatment, or they accept that they need help and are open to immediately going to a treatment centre.
If the individual refuses treatment:
- The intervention team will have a plan in place for how they will proceed. This may include setting boundaries with the person or seeking professional help.
- The team may need to make some changes in their own lives in order to protect themselves from the person’s addiction. For example, they may need to limit their contact with the person or stop enabling their addiction.
- The team should continue to offer their support to the person, even if they do not agree to seek treatment. This may include checking in with them regularly or providing them with resources about addiction and treatment.
If the individual accepts treatment:
- The intervention team will help the person to find a treatment programme that is right for them.
- The team will continue to offer their support to the person throughout their treatment. This may include visiting them in treatment or providing them with emotional support.
- The team should be prepared for the possibility of relapse. If the person relapses, the team should be there to offer their support and to help them to get back on track.
For support organising an intervention or to learn more about addiction treatment, get in touch today on 0800 470 0382.