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If someone you know is suffering from drug or alcohol addiction Recovery Connection® can help. Call us today at and speak to one of our trained addiction coordinators and get them the help they need to break the cycle of addiction.
An Alcohol or Drug addiction intervention is designed to help individuals suffering from alcohol or drug abuse or dependence realize that they have a problem and acknowledge that they need professional help. The goal is to get the addict to agree to enter treatment in an addiction treatment program or facility. Convincing the addicted person agree to enter alcohol or drug rehab is the ultimate goal.
An addiction intervention, or alcohol or drug intervention, is a highly-structured meeting of relatives and/or friends who are significant in the addict's life. These meetings are sometimes led by a professional alcohol or drug addiction interventionist or the family can simply choose a designated leader within the addict or alcoholic's support network. There are materials available to help you appropriately develop and implement an alcohol and drug addiction intervention plan that aims to accomplish the goal of getting the addict help. Interventions may be used for any form of addiction, from drugs or alcohol to sex, food, gambling, eating disorders, hoarding, or even compulsive shopping. Many alcohol and drug treatment centers also treat non-substance related addictions.
The addiction intervention is meant to be a positive and supportive way of allowing friends and family to express their concerns for a loved-one who is in need of alcohol or drug rehab. Involving a professional interventionist may be a good idea, as the interventionist can share his/her knowledge and experience with the members of the group. The professional interventionist will share advice on what to expect during the intervention and in drug rehab, how to interact, and how to handle the addict's excuses and/or objections to seeking professional help.
It is helpful for the team performing the addiction intervention to utilize scripts, lists, and/or letters to get the point across to the addict or alcoholic. This allows the team to keep emotions under control, which facilitates effective communication. Every aspect of the meeting is carefully prepared, and the plan is practiced prior to implementation. All members of the group need to be focused on facilitating the addict's entry into an alcohol and drug treatment center in a structured and organized fashion, without judgment.
There are two types of addiction interventions: professional and nonprofessional. Generally, the professional type uses the guidance of a professional interventionist, counselor, or physician; whereas, the nonprofessional does not. In the past, interventions relied upon confrontation to motivate the addict to get help. That approach has not produced lasting results. It is better for the addict to choose to go to a drug and alcohol treatment center without overt coercion. In other words, through the drug addiction intervention process the addict develops insight into his or her addiction and becomes willing to seek drug and alcohol rehab and change behaviors.
It is the rare addict who can stop using drugs and alcohol on his or her own. But, detox and treatment combined can help you rebuild your life, the life you use to dream about. Call to speak with a trained Recovery Connection coordinator at and break the bondage of addiction today.
A crisis (serious event) typically occurs prior to the family deciding to organize an intervention. The crisis may be the onset, or worsening, of a medical condition, the loss of a job, legal issues, or other acting-out behavior. Examples of the types of crisis situations that may prompt an intervention are the addict has been arrested for drunk driving, has been fired from work, or has been admitted to the hospital due to alcohol withdrawal or drug induced seizures. Once a crisis prompts an intervention, the goal is to assist the addict or alcoholic in admitting that he/she has a problem and have them agree to enter professional treatment in an alcohol and drug rehab facility.
There are three basic categories of interventions: Simple, Classical, and Family System.
A. Simple Intervention
Sometimes just a simple request from someone who matters can turn the tide. Simply ask the person to not use drugs or drink alcohol. Believe it or not, this can be effective if the addict or alcoholic is not far progressed in his/her disease and/or they have been able to develop insight. At this point alcohol and drug rehab may be helpful, but not absolutely necessary.
It is extraordinary how many times this has not been done because of a belief that nothing was ever going to change. And if this has not been done, it should always be the first step before any more complicated or involved form of intervention is embarked upon. (Occam's razor) However, few are done at this stage, due to a relative lack of consequences.
C. Classic Intervention
The most common form of family intervention remains the Johnson's approach or some variation thereof. It has been used for over thirty years for thousands of drug addiction interventions with great success and has helped thousands of addicts enter drug and alcohol rehab.
The focus is on the drug user or drinker. The immediate goal is for the addict to enter drug and alcohol treatment.
Family involvement varies, but the plan needs to be developed prior to the intervention day. Family involvement is often extensive, even after a successful intervention has been performed. Issues surrounding care of the house, care of children and animals, and paying bills need to be addressed and a plan developed prior to approaching the addict. This preparation will help the addict or alcoholic feel comfortable leaving home obligations while entering an alcohol and drug treatment center.
Family education is primarily aimed at preparing for the intervention day. There is frequently some additional education after that day to help the family adjust to the changing circumstances and adjusting to life at home while the addict is in alcohol and drug rehab. Holding the addict accountable for his or her action is necessary. Many alcohol and drug treatment centers have family programs designed to help the family and addict or alcoholic address issues related to family dynamics and to develop a plan on expectations post-discharge.
D. Family System Intervention
A family system's intervention focuses on the family, rather than the person in need of alcohol and drug rehab. The goal is for family members to make changes that will minimize the addict's and family's self-destructive behavior. Any significant change in behavior by the family can have a profound influence on the drug user or drinker, which can ultimately help him or her make the decision to enter a drug and alcohol treatment center.
The whole process is considered to be part of the addiction intervention. Intervention day itself is not nearly as significant as in the more classical approach since the entire family, not just the addict or alcoholic, is considered the subject of the intervention. The addict is sometimes invited to participate in the process from the beginning. The outcome is about changing the family dynamics, not just getting the addict into drug and alcohol rehab.
Family involvement from the beginning is significant and continues to be significant whether or not the drinker goes to an alcohol and drug treatment center. The educational process is viewed as an integral part of changing the family dynamics and bringing all family members back to health through the basics of addiction treatment, the roles of guilt and shame in the family system, the recognition of enabling and provoking behaviors, and the development of a recovery plan for each family member. The goal is for each family member to change his or her behavior, thereby changing the system in which the drug user or drinker has thrived.
These interventions, although discussed separately, are rarely so distinct in practice. Many of the characteristics of one can be found in the others depending on the situation. For example, family system considerations are always a factor even in the more classical approaches. Because of the many differences among families and situations, an actual intervention often becomes a blend of several of these forms. (adapted from: http://www.intervention.com/faqfintv.html#necessary)
Each participant may speak or the group may designate at certain number of speakers. Everything needs to be prepared in advance. It is helpful to have lists demonstrating the destructive behavior, the consequences, the impact upon the addict and upon those who love the addict. Each member should understand what changes he/she is prepared to make should the addict refuse to enter a drug and alcohol treatment center.
According to the Mayo Clinic, it is a good idea to get professional help if there is a history of:
You can down load a free copy of the Intervention Guide that will help you plan an intervention.
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