Addiction does not only affect the person abusing drugs or alcohol—addiction also affects concerned family members and friends. These loved ones can often see the truth that substance abusers cannot: loved ones see that substance abusers need help, and an intervention may be right for them.
While many people may want to tell their addicted loved ones that there is a way for them to get help, they may have a hard time knowing how to communicate the message. Some of the following concerns may make them hesitant to talk with their addicted loved one: When is the right time? How will my addicted loved one react? What if bringing up the addictions makes the problems worse?
Although it might seem impossible to find the right time and the right words, holding an intervention with your addicted loved one is worth it. If you have a family member or loved one from the Huntington Beach, CA area who is struggling with addiction, we can help you plan and hold an intervention.
What Is an Intervention?
An intervention is a carefully planned event that enables family members help an addicted loved one to start their recovery process. The purpose of this meeting is to help substance abusers acknowledge that they have a problem, that they need help, and that there is help available. Three things should be accomplished during the intervention:
- Family members should give specific examples of how the person’s addiction and destructive behavior is affecting family and friends.
- Family members should offer a prearranged treatment plan with clear steps and guidelines.
- Each family member should explain what he or she will respond if the person with an addiction refuses to accept treatment.
How do I Hold an Intervention?
Interventions should be tailored to individual situations, but we have some suggestions to help anyone who is ready to plan one.
- Create the intervention group. Decide who will be involved in the intervention—this can be close friends and family members of the person struggling with addiction.
- Research addiction. Gather information from credible sources about the psychological and physiological effects of addiction, the process of detoxification, and the most beneficial methods of drug and alcohol rehabilitation.
- Make a detailed plan. Plan and write examples of destructive behaviors you want to share during the intervention. Write your treatment plan. Decide how you will respond if the addicted loved one refuses treatment.
- Rehearse the intervention. Before you hold one, gather your intervention group and rehearse the scripts and notes. Explore the outcome of possible scenarios to best prepare for any outcome during the actual intervention.
- Hold the intervention. Gather the group and the addicted loved one together. Take turns sharing the planned statements. During the intervention, be sure to set strong boundaries with the person struggling with addiction. Present the treatment plan. Give time for the person struggling with addiction to respond to the treatment plan.
- Follow up. After the intervention, follow up with the addicted person about how he or she is accepting the treatment plan. Help the loved one to follow through with their plan and to accept treatment at a rehabilitation center.
Although staging an intervention is difficult, it is worth it. Each person’s experience with addiction and recovery is unique, but these steps can help those who want to assist their loved ones in getting help.
We Can Help
The cycle of addiction often doesn’t only feel inescapable for the person experiencing addiction; family members of substance abusers can also feel trapped in the cycle of addiction. There is a way out. There is help available for your addicted loved one. If you have an addicted family member or loved one in the Huntington Beach, CA area, we can help. Give us a call at 657-298-4892 to find out how we can help you plan and execute your intervention.