Interventions

alcohol & drug intervention program in california

A sense of hopelessness and resignation abound.

Plenty of adjectives and feelings can and do describe what the experience of chronic drug use is like for the addict and the loving bystander, but those two appear to be present in all cases.

The user, your loved one – your brother, sister, mother, father, aunt, uncle, cousin, friend – seemingly resigned to their drug use. Denying the reality of the issues and problems it’s creating for themselves and others. The tension and terror. Perhaps they’re even content in the cocoon their drug of choice seems to provide.

The family and friends – you – increasingly hopeless as drugs sink their teeth in further. The grip getting tighter and tighter as time presses on.

You wonder what you can do to break through and reach them. To snap them out of the stupor of a substance use disorder. 

That’s where drug intervention programs come into play and can serve as a literal and figurative lifesaver for all involved.

What is a Drug intervention Program in California?

An intervention is a deliberate process by which change is introduced into an individual’s thoughts, feelings and behaviors. The overall objective of an intervention is to confront a person in a non-threatening way, allowing them to see their self-destructive behavior, and how they affect themselves, family and friends. Usually, this process of a drug intervention program involves several people who have prepared themselves to talk to a person who has been engaging in some sort of self-destructive behavior. In a clear and respectful way, they inform the person of factual information regarding his or her behavior and how it has affected them. The immediate objective of an intervention is for the self-destructive person to set aside the “denial” factor, become open-minded and accept help.

FIND YOUR HEALING & RECOVERY

An intervention can be a helpful tool for any person, be it a friend, colleague or family member who is resistant or in denial to address his or her problem. At one time, there was an attitude that people couldn’t be helped unless they “hit bottom.” At Footprints of Serenity, our alcohol & drug intervention program in California help build our clients from their rock bottom with a strong foundation in the early stages of recovery.

 
  • Intervention Planning
  • Family Aftercare
  • Recovery Coaching
  • Treatment Assistance
  • Case Management
  • Sober Companionship

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What Makes an intervention successful?

As defined by the Surgeon General’s Report on Alcohol, Drugs & Health, an intervention is “a professionally delivered program, service, or policy designed to prevent substance misuse (prevention intervention) or treat a substance use disorder (treatment intervention).”

In more practical terms, an intervention is a deliberate and planned process by which change is introduced into an individual’s thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. The overall objective of an intervention is to confront a person in a non-threatening way, allowing them to see their self-destructive behavior and how it affects them, their family, and friends.

In essence, the concept of an intervention can be thought of as holding a mirror up in front of the addict, the one you care so deeply for, in an effort to truly make them see what they’re doing to themselves and those around them. How it affects not just their own life but the lives of everyone they know.

An important part of the process, as you may already be aware, is for them not to know an intervention is coming.

For it to be unexpected.

Why though?  

There are a couple of main reasons why making sure it’s unforeseen is critical to success. One, if they know it’s coming, they can simply avoid showing up altogether and two, being given advance notice affords them a chance to create a defense that rationalizes their drug use in their minds, which can work to further cement their “need” to continue using and create a stronger barrier to accepting aid.

An intervention is jarring by design, it’s meant to surprise them and catch them off guard in a way. To compel them to honestly confront the effects their drug use is having in a genuinely candid way.

The Surgeon General’s report goes on, “…mainstream health care has long acknowledged the benefits of engaging family and social supports to improve treatment adherence and to promote behavioral changes needed to effectively treat many chronic illnesses…”.

To that end, usually the process of a drug intervention program involves several people – close family and friends whose message will resonate most – who have properly and thoroughly prepared themselves to talk to a person who has been engaging in some sort of self-destructive behavior.

Clearly and respectfully, you’ll inform the person of fact-based information regarding his or her behavior and how it’s affected them. Additionally, you’ll explain the effect that their drug use has had on you too.

For an intervention to have the greatest chance of success it should be professionally delivered. Which is to say that it needs to be overseen and guided by an intervention specialist who understands the process, the nature of addiction and how to help you navigate this delicate situation.

As you might’ve discovered on your own already, confronting someone who’s addicted in the wrong way may actually serve to entrench the substance abuse even more and increase their reluctance to agree to assistance.

Ultimately, our entire drug intervention program is working towards a singular, immediate objective; to get the addicted person – the one you all cherish so deeply that you’d put an intervention together for – to finally set aside the denial factor. To see the light so to speak, open their mind and accept the help that you’ve pre-arranged in consultation with your interventionist.

Drug addiction is a life or death issue and the power of an addict to deny there’s a problem at all is plainly a difficult one to overcome. An intervention is among the best tools at your disposal to create a revelatory moment for them. One that shakes them out of their trance and allows them to clearly see that they’re loved and should take the treatment being offered.

WE BELIEVE THERE IS ALWAYS HOPE FOR THOSE STRUGGLING FOR DRUG & ALCOHOL ABUSE. HERE ARE JUST A FEW CLIENTS WE HAVE HELPED.

Although I've been a sober member of a 12 step program for 17 years, I was at a loss when it came to helping my own family member. Eric and Evan came highly recommend by trusted members of the recovery community. After the first meeting with Eric and Evan, my family was extremely impressed with their professionalism and knowledge. Eric and Evan showed only warmth and compassion during the whole intervention process. Their ability to work together was nothing but seamless. The two of them fully complimented each other throughout the intervention process. Eric and Evan worked tirelessly to get my loved one to agree to enter a treatment facility and they located one that was perfectly suited to my loved one's needs. They even stayed with him throughout the admission process. They have continued to follow up with us throughout the process Our family is forever grateful.
Joelle
Evan and Eric were instrumental in taking our loved one to treatment. We couldn’t have done it without their intervention. It was just impossible. They were a tremendous help both in their active intervention and their psychological support to our family. They were relentless, patient, empathizing but firm with our daughter. I was impressed by the manner they handled challenging situations with calm, kindness, and assertiveness; always available to communicate with us throughout the process via text messages and phone calls. Their presence and coaching on how to communicate with someone with substance abuse were invaluable. I learned so much from them within a week and feel confident in staying firm while loving. Now we can all sleep in peace knowing our loved one is in treatment. There is no time to lose to save a loved one addicted to drugs. Contacting Evan and Eric was the first step in the process to recovery. It is money well invested in their professional services. I completely trust their competence and integrity..
E.T.
Evan and Eric, I don't quite know where to begin. You guys were beyond remarkable. When it became apparent that my grandson was very negatively impacted by substance abuse with a likely underlying mental pathology, neither I or the family knew where to turn. As a result of a referral from a Psychiatrist specializing in substance abuse and mental illness we were referred to you. What an incredible find. What you guys provided was far more than what I expected. Judging from the results of your involvement, which to date have included a family led intervention and a successful admission of my grandson to a well regarded substance abuse residential facility; the first step in my grandsons treatment is off to a promising start. Considering how defiant my grandson was to entering a residential facility what you guys achieved in getting him to accept residential treatment was incredible and reflective of your commitment in supporting him and the family... Job Exceptionally Well Done.
Jeff
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