Addiction, for lack of a better phrase, sucks. It can ruin the addict’s life and also deeply affect the lives of their friends and loved ones. Someone’s addiction can even affect their colleagues and other professional relationships. An addict can experience feelings of hopelessness and if you’ve been caught in the crossfires of someone else’s addiction, you probably feel hopeless too. If you currently know someone struggling with addiction and don’t know how to help them, an intervention is the best way to get them initial help.
What are Interventions?
The first step for an addict to take to get help is admitting they have a problem. Sometimes addicts hit a ‘rock bottom’ and are able to determine on their own they need help. Other times addicts are so consumed by their addiction they don’t even know they need to stop. An intervention is a tool to help an addict realize they need to stop using drugs or alcohol.
An intervention is a formal process conducted by friends and family of an addict, and a trained professional, such as an interventionist. The end goal of an intervention is to motivate the addict to get help. Help for addiction can include going to a residential treatment center or attending 12-step meetings. Types of addictions that can require interventions are alcohol, illicit drugs, prescription drugs, eating disorders, and even gambling. An intervention is a non-judgemental, safe, confrontation of an addict’s drug use.
How Interventions Work and The Importance of Interventions
If you are looking to stage an intervention for someone you know or loved one, Footprints of Serenity is happy to walk you through the process.
A plan will be put in action for you and whoever is attending the intervention before it actually happens. This plan will include gathering information on your loved one’s addiction and researching the best treatment options for them. It’s our hope that at the end of the intervention, your loved one will accept the help offered to them.
A date, time, and location will then need to be chosen for the intervention. It’s important to pick a date that you know your loved one will be available for. If your loved one currently sleeps late due to their drug or alcohol abuse, the intervention should take place in the afternoon or evening. You’ll also want the intervention to happen in a safe place. If you know your loved one likes going to their parent or sibling’s house, you can have the intervention there.
During the actual intervention, you will confront your loved one. The interventionist will kick off the meeting usually by letting your loved one know why you are all gathered together. Every person at the intervention will have a chance to let their loved one know how their addiction has affected them and why they think they need help. It’s imperative to come from a place of love when speaking to the addict. You’ll also want to state-specific consequences that are going to take place if your loved one doesn’t accept treatment. If the addict currently lives with you, maybe you’ll ask them to move out. If you currently employ the addict, you can fire them from their job. Make sure to target specific behaviors and not the actual addict. It’s easy to let our emotions get the best of us, especially when we feel hurt, but it’s important to remain calm, and let everyone speak one at a time.
Benefits of Interventions
- An intervention will raise awareness to your loved one on how they’re actions while using drugs or alcohol have hurt you
- The addict will no longer think their addiction and behavior are a secret
- The addict will receive the option to get help
It’s common for an addict to not know the extent of their addiction or how to get help. An intervention will let them know that they do indeed need help and it’s out there waiting for them to take advantage of.
Footprints of Serenity Can Help Intervene
At Footprints of Serenity, we’re dedicated to providing support for you and your loved ones while they battle addiction. We’re here to help you with every step of an intervention. We also offer treatment placement options, recovery coaching, recovery companionship, detox placement, and more. Contact us today to get help for your loved one!