Drug Addiction Interventions

Addiction Interventions Can Save Lives

If you’re suffering from drug or alcohol addiction, you need a drug intervention NOW. Your addiction is taking over your life, perhaps hurting the people closest to you as well as yourself. You can feel its power over you, and you know it’s time to break this bond, but you don’t know how. Recovery Connection is here to help you find the addiction intervention you need – call 1-800-99-DETOX and get help now!

What is a Drug Intervention?

A drug intervention or addiction intervention is a group meeting designed to help the addict, alcoholic or substance abuser understand the problem they have, the need for them to take action and seek treatment immediately. The problem areas that an intervention may typically address are addiction to:

The first step in an addiction intervention is to gather all the significant people in a substance abuser's life such as; family members, friends, employer, physician, coworkers - basically anyone who can describe the emotional, physical, legal or financial changes they have personally experienced or seen. Involve a professional drug interventionist. They will educate everyone on how to express their concerns in a positive and supportive manner. The interventionist will review what to expect from the addict or alcoholic during and after the drug intervention and how to deal with it. The most significant aspect the interventionist will instruct everyone on is how to communicate without blaming. Learning this technique will increase everyone's chances of being heard.

In addition to learning how to effectively communicate, the drug interventionist will assist everyone in assembling a list or script to read from which will contain the actions or events you witnessed. The focus of this list will be to help the addicts to see the unmanageability they are creating in their own lives and the lives of those around them. By reading from the list it will also serve to help everyone to keep their feelings "in check", in what can become an emotionally charged situation.

Once all of the above has been completed and the group has practiced their part in the drug intervention, a person designated by the interventionist will schedule a meeting time and place with the addict, alcoholic or substance abuser. At the meeting facts and concerns are presented by the group in a caring manner, regarding the damage their drug or alcohol abuse has had on them. This information must be communicated clearly. The group must get the substance abuser to understand that they are no longer willing to overlook the pain and unmanageability created by the substance abuse and subsequent decisions and what the consequences will be if their abuse continues.

The Goal of an Addiction Intervention

The goal of an addiction intervention is to get the person to agree to be admitted to an addiction treatment program or appropriate healthcare facility immediately. This has been discussed and agreed upon by the group, prior to the addiction intervention. A promise to go, or a promise to stop drinking or drugging is not good enough. The addict or alcoholic must agree to take action immediately. Everyone must clearly communicate the consequences each will impose if the person refuses to access the care the professional believes is warranted. These types of decisions can be life altering and extremely difficult; that is the reason to include a professional interventionist at the actual intervention.

Why Use aDrug Intervention?

It was once believed that an individual struggling with drug addiction, alcoholism or resisting change had to "hit bottom" before they would become willing to get help. While in some cases this may prove true, the problem with this concept is that someone could overdose, die or kill someone else while driving under the influence, while we sit by and wait for them to "hit bottom". One of the goals of an intervention is to bring the bottom to the addict or alcoholic. What may take years to happen can be greatly accelerated, saving everyone involved a tremendous amount of pain and suffering.

Research shows that the majority of people enter treatment due to some type of external pressure. The threat of losing relationships, health, employment or even their reputation may motivate some to enter treatment, even if they are not thrilled to do so.

If you require immediate information on drug interventions or need assistance locating an addiction treatment program or drug rehab center call Recovery Connection now at 1-800-99-DETOX. GET HELP NOW!

Can You Relapse After Treatment Bought on by an Addiction Intervention?

Remember, that addiction and alcoholism are chronic diseases and as in any disease, relapse often does occur. If this turns out to be your experience, do not panic or lose hope. A relapse does not mean that a person does not want to stay clean and sober or that they are not trying. The majority of people in recovery have relapsed at least once. This does not mean someone has to relapse, it just means don't be surprised if they do.

If someone does relapse, get back in touch with their treatment facility, treating professional or sponsor. Seek advice and if need be, prepare to intervene again. It is critical to keep in mind that you are not in control of someone else's recovery. You can only manage how you react to their behavior and how you conduct your own life.

Does Everyone Have to Go to Treatment to Recover After a Drug Intervention?

No, not every single person who is an addict or alcoholic needs to go to treatment, even if you’ve held an addiction intervention. With that said, there can be severe medical consequences associated with trying to discontinue the use of substances without medical supervision. For this reason alone, healthcare professionals or counselors should make the decision of where, when, and how you should discontinue use. Entering treatment might only be a few days out of someone's entire life.

Suggestions for a Structured Drug Intervention:

Outright Goal: To have the person access treatment immediately.

Engage the services of a professional to help plan the drug intervention.
Identify 3-6 people who are comfortable with the process and are significant to the addict or alcoholic. Try to avoid very young children.
Develop a plan with the professional: who is going to say what and how it is going to be stated.
Prearrange admission to a previously identified treatment facility. Work out all the financial details, including insurance issues, so there will be no last minute barriers to admission.
Identify the objections to the addiction intervention you might incur and be prepared to respond effectively.
Decide on the consequences you are willing to commit to if the person will not enter treatment. Remember, you must be willing to follow through with the consequences.
Bring a list of examples regarding unacceptable behavior of the substance abuser.
Rehearse the addiction intervention. Know your roles and what to say.
Be prepared to follow through with the consequences.
Get a commitment from the person that they are willing to go for help and take them there immediately. No excuses – go!

Drug Addiction Treatment Centers:

If your state doesn't appear on this list, please call Recovery Connection at 1-800-99-DETOX and we will be happy to assist you.