Cocaine Addiction Intervention Program

Cocaine Addiction Intervention Program

Seeing a loved one spiral with an addiction to cocaine is heart-wrenching and realistically that pain extends to all substances. You just hate to see someone you care about in the vice grip of dependency.

You feel powerless, totally devoid of control. They seem well beyond the point of reasoning and you find yourself at a loss for what to do next.

However, and you know this deep in your core, giving up on someone you love isn’t an option either.

Is there a viable move you can make?

Absolutely, cocaine addiction interventions can be the gamechanger and rejuvenator you’re searching for. More on that in a moment though.

The Dangers of Cocaine

What is cocaine and why is it so downright dangerous?

The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) notes that it’s a powerfully addictive stimulant. Often referred to as blow, coke, snow and more cocaine is most typically snorted. Alternatively, it can be rubbed on the gums, smoked or dissolved and injected straight into the bloodstream.

Cocaine works by flooding the brain with dopamine, it essentially stimulates the reward pathways of the brain which leads to hard to fight cravings for more and more.

Again, as NIDA points out, “with repeated exposure to cocaine, the brain starts to adapt so that the reward pathway becomes less sensitive to natural reinforcers”. This serves to reinforce the compulsion to keep using because, “circuits involved in stress become increasingly sensitive, leading to increased displeasure and negative moods when not taking the drug, which are signs of withdrawal. These combined effects make the user more likely to focus on seeking the drug instead of relationships, food, or other natural rewards”.

It’s a brutal cycle that feeds into greater dependency and the need to take ever larger amounts, more frequently, to achieve the same effect as before.

The effects on the body are equally stark with weight loss and an overall lack of nourishment being hallmarks of prolonged cocaine use. The likelihood of strokes also increases as well. 

What Is an Intervention?

Painting a picture of the dangers brings us back to what you can do about it.

An intervention is literally you stepping in and intervening in your loved one’s cocaine use. It’s a deliberate process by which change is introduced into an individual’s thoughts, feelings and behaviors.

It generally involves close family and friends who prepare remarks about how cocaine, or any substance, abuse has been self-destructive.

Think of it as holding a mirror to their behavior so they can truly, and perhaps finally, see the havoc they’ve caused themselves and the damage cocaine has done to not only their own lives but the relationships with those they’re closest to.

How Do I Know When an Intervention Is Necessary?

Even without being the keenest observer, the warning signs of addiction becomes clearer and clearer the longer someone is locked in. Unfortunately, there’s not an exact moment or line in the sand that they’ll cross that will miraculously dictate when a cocaine intervention is necessary. 

Some things to look out for as red flags are:

  • Drastically increased tolerance and usage
  • Dramatic changes in appearance, most typically manifesting in significant weight loss
  • Irritability and mood swings when not using
  • Denial there’s a problem even though it’s clearly evident
  • Riskier behavior
  • Financial and legal troubles related to getting more cocaine

At a certain point, you’ll also reach your own limit of watching the self-destructive behavior, when it’s become abundantly clear that your friend or family member is losing the battle and a cocaine intervention is imperative.

Footprints of Serenity Are Intervention Experts 

The best course of action you can take though is to learn and get educated on your options. Talk to professional interventionists like us at Footprints of Serenity. Tell us your story and let’s work together to create a plan that gets your loved one the treatment they need. 

 

Confronting an Addict: Do’s and Don’ts

Confronting an Addict: Do's and Don'ts

At  Footprints of Serenity, we understand the delicate nature of confronting someone who is struggling with a drug problem. When doing so, you don’t want to come off accusatory. It’s very common for the stress and anxiety surrounding the conversation to make you say ‘the wrong thing’,even when you have their best interest in mind!. But don’t worry, keep reading below for some helpful tips when talking to someone about their addiction. 

How Do You Confront an Addict?

Confrontation is an important way to warn others about the potential harm of substance abuse. When confronting someone it is important to be: supportive, accurate, and helpful. A confrontation is when you confront someone or talk to someone about something that they are doing that is worrisome to you/that you think could harm them. Before confronting someone, it’s also important to do some research about addiction. Becoming knowledgeable about addiction will help you better communicate to an addict that you want them to get help because you truly care about them. 

Helpful things to say when confronting an addict: 

  • Do be legit – Confronting someone should not be taken lightly and it is important to be as legitimate as possible.
  • Do offer hope – Comfort the addicted individual by offering them words of hope and encouragement within this time of need. 
  • Do provide practical support – Provide the addicted individual with practical support that is stern, yet supportive. Confrontations are about providing support, but also telling the individual that they need to get help. 
  • Delivered by individuals who are trusted and respected by the addicted individual – This is an important aspect in keeping the confrontation legitimate. The person who is doing the confronting should be someone in which the addicted individual feels they can trust and respect. 

Things not to do when confronting an addict:

  • Don’t be hypocritical – Do not seem holier than thou when confronting this individual. It is important for them to feel like they are on the same level as you and can trust you. Do NOT belittle them. This seemed to be one of the most consistent themes within studies done about confrontations.  When the confronter was hypocritical they seem to be the most unhelpful confrontations.
  • Don’t be overly hostile – It is crucial to make them feel supported and cared for. Being hostile does not accomplish anything and we’ll make the addicted individual standoffish instead of reaching out to those for support.  When someone was confronted with hostility this also seemed to be very unhelpful,  especially when there is a conflict involved with the confronter and the addicted individual. Instead of signing supportive, this confrontation ended in arguments that led to no help. 
  • Don’t cast blame – Immediately blaming the addicted individual will not be beneficial. It is important to show that  you are on their side and not against them.

There are many different things that you can do to make sure that the confrontation is a good experience. These things include:

  • Timing –  is important to find the right time to deliver this  confrontation.
  • The confrontational style –  making sure that you are using a helpful confrontational style is important. Remaining neutral within the situation can also help show support.
  • Having a good relationship with the addicted individual –  If the confronter has a good relationship within the  addicted individual’s life,  then he/she  is more likely to listen to what the confronter is trying to say.

Footprints of Serenity Can Help

Here at Footprints of Serenity, we provide individuals with a safe and comfortable area to hold interventions and even confrontations. Our interventions are a deliberate process where we introduce change into an individual’s thoughts, feelings and behaviors. We provide professional support and guidance through this process. The overall objective of our interventions is to confront the addicted individual in a non-threatening way  while allowing them to take us out back and see their destructive behavior, and how their behavior has affected themselves, their family, and their friends. Contact us today to learn more about how we can help you! 

Finding an Interventionist in Los Angeles

find interventionist in los angeles

We understand that addiction can be a touchy subject for many individuals and their families. We also understand that some people may or may not understand that they need help, that their behavior has changed, or that they are doing things that not only affect them, but also the people around them. Here at Footprints of Serenity, we want to help provide resources and information about what interventions are and their benefits.

 

What Is an Intervention?

An intervention is a process when things are introduced to an individual’s thoughts, emotions, feelings, and behaviors. The objective of an intervention is a confrontation with an individual that helps provide perspective in a non-threatening, but helpful way. This would allow the individual to visualize their destructive behavior and how it not only affects the individual, but also the people around them (such as family, friends, etc.). 

An intervention for addiction may involve the individual’s family, friends, coworkers, peers, etc., whoever it may be there are several people who have prepared to talk to the individual about their destructive behavior. This invention is to inform the individual about their behavior by using factual information and explaining the effect that their behavior has on the people around them. Interventions can be particularly helpful in getting someone to realize they are struggling with addiction and substance abuse. 

 

Who Needs an Intervention in Los Angeles?

There may never seem like an opportune time for an intervention, but sometimes they need to occur, whether the timing is right or not. Here are some signs to see whether or not an intervention for an addiction is necessary:

  • The individual starts to experience some difficulties within their life. These difficulties may be personal, financial, social, behavior or professional.
  • There doesn’t seem to be any control within the individual’s life, especially on the level of substance abuse.
  • The individual does not see this substance abuse as a problem and may not want help. They may be in denial.
  • The individual may be not receptive to the feelings or emotions of the people whose lives this person is affecting, whether it be friends, family, co-workers, or peers.
  • There seems to be a noticeable change in the person’s life pattern and their behavior doesn’t seem ‘normal’. They may be involved in something they normally aren’t involved in, or spending time with people they normally wouldn’t be hanging around.

If you notice any of the above mentioned in someone you know or care about, it may be time to start considering staging an intervention. 

 

Finding an Intervention Specialist in Los Angeles

Finding an intervention specialist or an alcohol intervention specialist Los Angeles may be difficult if you don’t understand what you are looking for. At Footprints of Serenity, we have come up with some tips on who and what kind of services to look for when wanting to plan an intervention:

  • Willingness to help – Someone who is willing to work with you and your family to get the addicted individual started with treatment/recovery.
  • Credentials – This person should be qualified, trained, educated, and experienced on the drug/alcohol, and be able to inform about detox and withdrawal.
  • Insurance capabilities – Make sure your interventionist takes your insurance, especially if you are unable to pay for the services yourself. 
  • Family involvement – The inventionist should want the family to be involved with the recovery process. This will help the individual stay accountable and be more successful within their sobriety.

Our team is made up of experienced people that are ready to help, and willing to work with you and your family to achieve a successful recovery. We have extensive knowledge regarding addiction and the treatment industry. We’ve made it our life’s mission to help those struggling find recovery. 

 

How Footprints of Serenity Can Help With Your Intervention

Here at Footprints of Serenity, we provide our clients with many different options when they reach out to us in regards to substance abuse interventions. We have a network of treatment centers, detoxes, outpatient facilities, etc., ready to help in every way possible. We want to make the recovery process simple and individualized to each of our clients. Reach out to us today to figure out your options, and start your journey to recovery and sobriety. 

Do Interventions Actually Work?

If you’re like a lot of people, you’ve heard of interventions but may not have actually participated in one yourself. But when someone you love and care about is letting substance abuse take over their life, an intervention can start feeling like the right move. 

But do interventions actually work? 

The answer is not so simple as “yes” or “no”, but the short answer is “they can”. In fact, studies have found that family member involvement in general increases addiction recovery success rates. 

There are actually a lot of different factors that go into how effective an intervention is, and you will need to take many things into consideration. But above all, it’s important to plan the intervention carefully and not just throw it together. When you’re ready, we invite you to get in touch with our addiction specialists at Footprints of Serenity to start planning an intervention for your loved one. In the meantime, here’s what you need to know about how to make an intervention as effective as possible.

Pick the Right Time and Place

Though it can often feel like there’s never an ideal moment for an intervention, that doesn’t mean you can’t be tactful about when you do it. Naturally, you’re going to want to pick a time that works for everyone who will be involved (close friends and family members who have been affected by your loved one’s substance abuse). That said, your priority should be choosing a time when your loved one is least likely to be under the influence, as substance abuse can increase aggression and irrational thinking. It should also be held in a familiar place where they can be comfortable and receptive. Our intervention specialists can work with you more closely to find a good time and place. 

Speak With Love

You are having the intervention because you care about the addicted person. While you may be angry with them for the way they have let their substance abuse affect daily life, the intervention is not the time for yelling or raised voices (getting angry risks only making them mad and non-receptive to help). Your loved one needs to know that you only want what is best for them, and you don’t like watching them destroy their life and relationships.

Even when talking about times that they hurt you the most, it is important to stay calm and avoid accusing tones. With this in mind, consider having everyone write down beforehand what they want to say to your loved one. 

Have an Addiction Treatment Plan in Place

The intervention will not work if you don’t show your loved one that they have the actual power to change. At Footprints of Serenity, we will work with you to find real addiction treatment options that your loved one is eligible for. These options must be presented to your loved one during the intervention so they know that, A) you are completely serious about them getting treatment, and B) the opportunity to change their life has arrived. Some people even choose a treatment program that their loved one can start immediately upon the intervention’s conclusion, so they won’t have the opportunity to run or change their mind later on. 

What If My Loved One Refuses Treatment?

Whether or not an intervention “works” is measured by whether or not the addicted person chooses to get help / enter an addiction treatment program. It’s important to remember that, at the end of the day, your loved one is their own person and is responsible for their own decisions. Sometimes, despite everyone’s best efforts, the addicted person still refuses help. 

If your loved one does refuse to get help or even insists they do not actually have a substance abuse problem, then it is crucial to show them how serious you are. Do so by following through on what you said would happen if they chose to continue down the path of addiction. If you said you would stop answering their calls or giving them rides, go ahead and stop. If you said you would cut them off either financially or emotionally (or both), then you must do exactly that. Above all, do whatever you can to cut off any behavior on your part that may have enabled them. Everyone who participates in the intervention must agree ahead of time to follow through on their promised actions as well.

It’s also important to not give up hope. Once they see how serious the intervention was (by everyone following through on their words), only then will there be a chance of them coming around and seeking help. 

Getting Started

At Footprints of Serenity, we provide both intervention services and addiction treatment program facilitation. Because we believe that people from all walks of life have the capacity to beat addiction and become well again, we work with substance abuse treatment providers across the nation to find the best fit for your loved one and your family. Don’t wait to get help — contact us today to start working towards a brighter, healthier future.

 

Five Tips: Perform an Easier Intervention For a Drug Addict

how to perform an intervention for a drug addict

When a loved one is struggling with an addiction to drugs or alcohol, it is normal to feel worried. It is okay to feel angry. It is typical to feel scared, helpless, and afraid. The cycle of substance abuse can be vicious and can leave family members and friends looking for answers. One of the most common tools that loved ones will employ to help someone who is struggling with an addiction to drugs or alcohol is called an intervention. At the same time, some interventions are more successful than others. There are a few tips that everyone should follow to give the intervention the best chance possible at being successful.

Make Sure to Plan Ahead

The first tip is to make sure to plan ahead. When an intervention is successful, it is not because it was spontaneous. It is because it was planned meticulously to ensure it was tailored both to the individual and the people holding the intervention. First, think about the location. The location should have an emotional attachment to the individual, such as a living room surrounded by photos of loved ones. Then, choose a time. Make sure that the individual will be present. It is helpful to know his or her schedule ahead of time. Then, consider having the presence of a licensed interventionist. This is a trained professional who has experience dealing with similar situations. Then, consider taking a practice run ahead of time. Be prepared to offer advice, love, support, and a variety of addiction treatment options. 

Try to Frame it in a Positive Manner

Next, an intervention has a higher chance of succeeding if it is framed in a positive manner. Substance abuse and addiction can not only devastate the health and safety of the individual but can also have a tremendous impact on someone’s psyche. This is how it takes a toll on family members and friends. Yes, an intervention develops out of desperation for the health of the loved one; however, it is critical to phrase this in a positive manner. Point out how many people showed up because they care. Stay away from being judgmental and blaming anyone. Present the facts of the situation. Reiterate that it is possible to recover with the help of trained professionals. This will make the intervention seem like a positive development because it is.

Be Prepared for Tension

Even though it is a good idea to plan for a positive outcome, it is also important to prepare for tension as well. People do not like being confronted with the negative consequences of their actions. It is a good idea to have food and drinks because the intervention may go on for a while and people need to be encouraged to stay. Make sure to remove anything from the room that might be used as a weapon. Sometimes, physical violence can happen; however, with the help of a trained professional, this risk will be minimized. Be prepared for anything to happen at an intervention. 

Think About Inpatient Treatment Ahead of Time

If someone elects to seek medical care as a result of the intervention, it is important to think about inpatient treatment. Often, following a successful intervention, the next few steps can unfold quickly. It can be helpful to have a bed secured ahead of time. If someone has to wait for a bed to come open, he or she might end up with a change of heart. Do not let this happen. Try to call an inpatient facility ahead of time and try to secure a bed as early as possible. Then, after the intervention, the loved one can proceed to substance abuse and addiction treatment quickly. Be prepared to escort him or her to the facility as well.

Remind the Individual They are Loved

Lastly, it is important to remind the loved one that he or she is loved. An intervention takes place out of care and compassion. Even though this can feel like a negative experience, interventions never happen unless someone cares. During this difficult time, remind the loved one that there is a powerful support network and, with everyone’s help, addiction can be conquered. This love is going to be critical during every step of the recovery process, from intervention to inpatient and on through outpatient programs and sobriety. 

Trust the Addiction Treatment Professionals at Footprints of Serenity

At Footprints of Serenity, we are alcohol and drug interventionists in Los Angeles. We provide a unique luxury program that combines modern treatment options with proven traditional methods in order to give our clients the best chance possible of recovering. We are here to help everyone along the journey to recovery with the care and compassion that each individual deserves. To learn more about how we can help you, call us today!

The Benefits of a Drug Addiction Intervention to The User

benefits of a drug addiction intervention

Getting Intervention Help Could Save Your Life

Having an addiction problem can cause serious issues for your personal and professional life. It can prevent you from getting ahead in life and can cause a variety of problems that will end up alienating you from the ones you love. Addiction can end up crippling you in terms of health, finances, and interpersonal relationships. Addiction is oftentimes treated as a disease that can become a major problem in your life if it is not addressed directly. One of the most common types of addictions that people exhibit is illegal drugs and they remain steadily used in our society. Fortunately, there are addiction treatment options available that will help you overcome your addiction problems and find peace within yourself.

However, the first step towards recovery is to admit you have a problem. A lot of people do not want to admit that they have an addiction problem and will continue abusing the substance of their choice. Fortunately, there are interventions that can be held that will end up helping the person who is suffering from addiction. These interventions are meant to show that there are people out there who care about your well being and want the absolute best for you. Let’s take a closer look at how an individual can benefit from an intervention and how it can end up saving your life.

Understanding The Benefits of an Intervention

An intervention is something that is meant to show how much you care for an individual by coming together as a group with the intent of self-betterment. It is known that a person who receives an intervention will receive a wake-up-call that they were not aware of. However, it is important to understand what are the most effective ways of hosting an intervention for someone who is suffering. People do not always like the fact that they are receiving an intervention and may become defensive. Let’s take a closer look at some options that will help you reach out.

Preparing Your Intervention

Planning ahead of time what you are actually going to say is incredibly important. It will allow you to come up with what you want to get across to the person who is being affected by addiction. Understanding the person’s personality and their unique behaviors should help you come up with a game plan. Unfortunately, some people get very defensive when it comes to problems they may be having. This is why you want to make sure you have an interventionist on call in the event that the person cannot be reached by friends and family alone.

Choosing The Right Time and Place

Choosing the right time and place for intervention is an incredibly difficult thing to do. Some people may be caught off guard by the fact that they are approached randomly by a group of people whenever they are not expecting it. This is why you should discuss with your friends what a good time and place will be. Let it be on the person’s day off whenever they didn’t have anything planned for example. Planning an intervention before someone goes to work will end up leaving a bad taste in their mouth and they may resent you for it.

Surrounding Your Loved One With Positive Influences

Making sure that the person who is being affected by addiction has positive influences in their life will help them improve their wellbeing. Rehabilitation facilities such as Footprints of Serenity is an excellent example of how a community can come together to help someone heal and become a better person. It is important that you practice patience during this time of recovery. An intervention may not garner you the results you want immediately. Keep attempting to reach out with your friends and family to show the person that you truly care about them and that there is help out there. 

How To Know When It Is Time For An Intervention?

time for an intervention

Addiction is a prevalent problem across the country. It is hard to struggle with addiction and just as hard to see our loved ones struggle. Intervention can be tricky. It is often difficult to know exactly when to begin an intervention. Addiction treatment is a choice and the individual has to want it for himself. For years, many bought into the concept of rock bottom and those with addiction could not be helped until they were there. While that is true for some, it does not have to be the case for all. 

Footprints of Serenity is available to help anyone plan an intervention. It can help someone that may be resistant to help understand how much support is available. It is important to know the signs when it is time for an intervention. While it is never too late, there are points when intervention is best. 

Signs When It Is Time For an Intervention

Change In Behavior

This is often a telltale sign that something is happening with an individual. You know your loved one and it is immediately apparent when something is not quite right. You may begin to see changes in the individual’s activities. He or she may go out late and have no real place to go, or at least nowhere that he or she is telling you. Sudden changes in someone’s mood or schedule do not mean that a person has an addiction. It means that you should pay attention and try to find out what is happening. 

Appearance

When someone has a drastic change in appearance and dress, that is a sign of addiction. This person could also be depressed, or possibly, addicted and depressed. Typically, when someone is deep into addictive behavior, he or she no longer cares about appearance or hygiene. If your loved one is no longer showering or caring for basic needs, it is time to pay attention. Your loved one may stop combing his hair or brushing his teeth. An individual controlled by addiction may not change his clothes or just stay in pajamas. Getting a fix becomes the primary goal in an addict’s life. Nothing else matters.

Change In Emotions

Anger often seems to be the leading emotion for those suffering from addiction. Often, they do not like questions about their activities. When pushed for answers, they seem to lash out or become incredibly defensive. This is typically because there is an awareness of the control the addiction has. Someone with an addiction is often ashamed of his behavior and questions to shine a light on it. Drugs change people and have an impact on personality. When someone is high or coming down from a high, they usually behave differently and are quick to rage. 

Decreased Mental Awareness

When someone is using drugs or alcohol, he often seems slow to respond. Someone in need of addiction treatment is slow in answering questions and may seem clumsy or move awkwardly. This is a direct result of the drug’s impact on his body. It is important that you pay attention to your loved one and not dismiss any behavior that is not in line with typical behavior. 

Problems With Money

Drug addiction is expensive. Dealers often lure people in with free drugs in the beginning. This is intentional. The dealer wants the individual to become hooked so he comes back for more drugs. When someone is trying to get a fix regularly, the price increases quickly. Often addicts sell everything they can to have money for drugs. When you see someone suddenly unable to afford daily items, such as food, it is a huge sign there is a problem. Addicts will steal or do whatever they have to do to get the money for drugs. It becomes something that cannot control because the addiction has taken over. 

These are some obvious signs that your loved one needs help and an intervention may be needed. It is important that you handle an intervention properly or it could lead to feelings of betrayal and judgment. Contact Footprints of Serenity today to begin planning your intervention. Find out all the ways Footprints of Serenity supports you and your loved one while going through addiction treatment. No one has to do this alone. We are just a phone call away.