If you have a loved one or friend addicted to drugs or alcohol, you may consider doing an intervention. These methods are used a lot on television when someone is trying to encourage an individual to get help, but they are also used outside of reality TV. Whether or not an intervention works depends significantly on the individual.
Setting Up the Intervention
If you’re considering using this method to talk some sense into an individual, then you need to have things prepared. Is there a person that they respond better to than others? You want to make sure the ones who can get through to them are present, and be sure to leave behind those that are antagonistic or can cause them to become combative. Remember, in most cases; the addict doesn’t believe that they need help. Unless they’ve hit rock bottom, they’re likely to deny your request. Even if you give them a harsh reality check, the drugs have likely impaired their thinking abilities. If you don’t get the outcome you want the first time, then you may need to repeat the process again. It may take you several interventions to get them to agree to help.
Keeping Realistic Expectations
It varies greatly where this individual is with their addiction as to whether they will be eager to go to a treatment center. In a perfect world, they would agree to services, and you would take them right away for help. However, in most cases, they don’t believe they need this assistance, so they won’t be ready to listen to you. You need to have a plan if things don’t go as they should. This person may become belligerent or may simply leave. Your method and approach means everything, so you need to make sure you use the right words and have a loving attitude more than an argumentative one.
Tips for Success
Here are a few tips to ensure that your intervention has the best chance of being a success.
1. Choose a Neutral Setting
Where you choose to do this intervention is essential. You want to be somewhere safe should they become angry at your tactics to urge them to seek help. The best place is a counselor’s office or a public establishment. Using the person’s home is not always the best options, as many distractions can keep them from focusing on the matter at hand.
2. Develop a Plan
Make sure everyone knows what to say and what to avoid. You want to be a united front when handling this meeting, and you want to focus on the key issue and not all the insignificant matters.
3. Consider Using A Professional Interventionalist
Many counselors also act as interventionalists. These trained professionals know how to persuade individuals to seek help. If you’re uneasy about this process, then you should ask for assistance.
4. Don’t Allow Things to Turn Ugly
If the person with the addiction issues does not want to listen to you or becomes combative, you need to shut things down. You don’t want to make them leery of talking to you in the future. If you must force them to do treatment, the chances of it being successful are slim. They must first see the need for help.
5. Select the Right Time
It’s best to select a time when they’re less likely to be under the influence. The morning or early afternoons are usually better as most addicts are usually sober when they awaken. Since each person and situation is different, you must choose a time frame where they’re likely to have a clear mind.
Getting Help Once They’ve Agreed
If your loved one or family member has agreed to get help, then you need to take the next step of getting them into a facility. We can help you find a place that will cater to their specific needs. If they have a mental health issue, it’s essential to seek a dual diagnosis center to treat both conditions. Once you’re ready for treatment, call one of our supportive staff at 833-285-1315. These individuals are well trained in handling these situations, and they can talk you through the steps that help you find the best place. Agreeing to help is a move in the right direction, and it may or may not happen with your intervention. The key is to be there for them every step of the way, which will increase their chances of long-term sobriety.
