A main component of a substance use disorder is denial, which, in many cases, allows someone to continue their habit and refuse help. Staging an intervention allows family and friends to offer an incentive for the person with an addiction to seek treatment without blame, negativity, and ultimatums.
Through careful planning, family and friends work in harmony to pull down the veil of denial and speak frankly about how addiction has affected each relationship. Sharing intimate and emotional statements allows a sense of vulnerability to escape and sparks some hope to leave addiction behind.
Why Should Someone Stage an Intervention?
Seeing a family member or close friend struggle with a substance use disorder is hurtful and frustrating. Without proper guidance and education, trying to communicate the need for addiction treatment can prove fruitless. Continual attempts to force someone into treatment can be detrimental and cause more problems.
With the help of a professional interventionist, an intervention could be the key to breaking down the barriers and finding a way for a loved one to accept treatment. It is essential to plan out the entire process to present someone with a substance use disorder with the facts of how their addiction impacts each relationship. Each statement ends with an offer of treatment and the boundaries that will exist if help is rejected.
Planning the process is critical to its success. Focusing on the positive aspects of how therapy can be beneficial and detox and rehab is the vehicle to change. Intervention is a valuable tool for addressing the need for treatment to reestablish their life and essential relationships.
Finding an Interventionist
Seeking the advice of a doctor or mental health professional can assist in the search for a professional interventionist. Reaching out to family and friends for recommendations is another avenue to find help. Hospitals, rehab centers, or counseling offices may have a list of professionals to contact.
Staging an intervention takes time and effort, as well as an interventionist with experience, compassion, and understanding. An online search could reveal an association or private, professional interventionists in the area.
Talking to a Loved One About The Intervention
It is vital to the success of the intervention that a loved one invites the person who needs the intervention without giving too many details about the event. Denial is a common issue when trying to communicate with a loved one who has a substance use disorder.
The intervention will proceed and work through offering impact statements, new boundaries set, and a show of love. Being calm, nonjudgmental, and concerned is essential when extending an invitation.
Stage an Intervention: Tips for Success
Interventions using a professional interventionist can be up to 90% successful in convincing someone they need help. The group staging an intervention must stay with the plan.
The ground rules include keeping the intervention about the person who needs treatment and no one else. Interventions are not a time to accuse, blame, and bring up past negative experiences. The professional can guide the intervention and planning stages.
After finding a professional interventionist, the following steps for planning an intervention will be helpful:
- Form the intervention team or the core group who care for or love the person who needs treatment.
- Make a plan on how the intervention will take place.
- Outline each step of the intervention so it runs smoothly.
- Gather the information necessary to offer treatment.
- Educate one’s self and understand the recovery process and the abused substance.
- Each team member must write an impact statement describing the loved one’s struggle with addiction and its impact.
- Use emotional honesty without blaming or accusing.
- Offer help and support for detox, treatment, and future recovery time.
- Set boundaries. Offer what will happen if treatment is not accepted.
- Practice and practice so the intervention will run smoothly.
- Talk about expectations and be ready to manage the expectations.
- Follow up to support the loved one who needs help.
What to Expect
The Mayo Clinic cites to expect objections from the loved one. Hence, prepare by having calm, rational responses ready to offer when objections occur. Supportive suggestions to meet the objects without force is the most effective method to reach the loved one. Stay away from confrontations, and continue with honesty and love.
Stay on track with the outline and remain calm at all times. Ask for a decision right away after all impact statements are read. It is crucial to allow time to go by without a decision for treatment. The longer someone waits for a decision, the more denial will build. In challenging moments, the interventionist has experience with encouraging words and knows how to proceed.
Goals of the Intervention
The goal of the intervention is to find a treatment facility that is acceptable before the intervention occurs. Once all plans are secure, the intervention can proceed, and if there is an acceptance of treatment, the loved one can go directly from the intervention. It is vital to have every aspect of the process planned out so it can go smoothly. Continue to support the loved one if treatment is accepted.
When It’s Not Enough
It is crucial to remember that there is the possibility that the loved one will not accept help or treatment. In this case, everyone must stick to the boundaries they set during the impact statement in the intervention.
Staging an intervention is an act of love and encouragement. Stay hopeful that the loved one will seek treatment and begin a recovery journey. It may be helpful to contact the treatment center for family counseling for additional help. This rebuilds trust and restores the family dynamic in a professional setting.
Help Get a Loved One to Treatment
It is understandable to be afraid and feel frustrated when trying to get a loved one to seek treatment for a substance use disorder. Tennessee Valley Recovery Center understands how challenging the process can be. An intervention may solve the problem, but speaking with the professionals is part of the process.
Contact Tennessee Valley Recovery today to receive the information you need to offer treatment options to your loved one.