Conducting Professional Intervention

People who have a serious substance use disorder are very adept at encasing themselves in a cocoon of denial.  As long as they can convince themselves that their abuse of drugs or alcohol doesn’t harm anyone they can continue their compulsive and destructive habit.  In reality, of course, addiction impacts everyone within the individual’s sphere, with the immediate family bearing the brunt of the pain and suffering.

At some point, loving family members will attempt to get through to their loved one, confronting them about what damage is being wreaked due to the addiction, only to be met with an angry, dismissive response.  The last thing an addict wants to do is admit their behavior is harming anyone because that would lead to letting go of their substance of abuse. When these attempts to talk sense to an addicted loved one fall flat, it may be time to meet with an intervention professional.  These addiction experts know exactly how to do an intervention in such a way that the outcome is constructive.

What is an Intervention?

Staging an effective intervention is best accomplished through the efforts and planning of an intervention specialist.  These experts have a depth of knowledge and experience in the addiction and recovery field. In addition, they have a keen understanding of the psychological forces among the group that must be properly aligned if the intervention is going to be successful.  Utilizing the interventionist will result in a much higher chance that your loved one will agree to get treatment.

Prior to the actual intervention, the interventionist will meet with the family, close friends, and loved ones who are concerned about getting help for the individual.  He or she will gather information from them, including the addiction history, behaviors, the fallout and consequences their loved one has experienced due to the addiction, personality traits, and any other pertinent information that can help the professional shape the upcoming intervention.

Once the interventionist has this information then the intervention strategy will be developed.  He or she might have family and friends write letters to their loved one, describing how concerned they are for their loved one’s health and future.  They may describe accounts of how the loved one’s addiction has hurt them and other family members. The job of the interventionist is to guide this discussion and to steer it away from angry confrontations and accusations, which will only drive the individual away.

The ultimate goal of the intervention is to convince the individual of their need for treatment, and to ask them to agree to accept help.  Again, the role of the professional interventionist is key in driving the intervention toward achieving this goal.

How to Do an Intervention Correctly

The intervention specialist will educate the friends and family members how to approach their loved one to achieve the best outcome.  They will be guided how to write and rehearse their letters for the best response from their loved one, and teach them about the disease of addiction so they have a better understanding, and a more compassionate attitude toward them.  

Knowing how to do an intervention, the specialist will limit them 60-90 minutes.  This helps avoid the overkill that can have the opposite effect as the one desired, with emotions ramping up and angry discord driving the loved one away.  Interventions that last no more than 90 minutes and are carefully orchestrated have a good chance at success. In most cases, the addicted party was not aware of how much pain he or she was inflicting on the family or friends, and will express remorse for the damage and gratitude for their support.

However, in a certain percentage of interventions the individual flatly refuses to go to rehab.  They may not yet be ready to commit to the work of recovery and can’t imagine their lives without the substance of abuse.  If this occurs, at least the seed has been planted in their mind about achieving a better quality of life in recovery, and after more negative consequences may then agree to get help.

Solutions 4 Recovery Offers Professional Interventionists

Solutions 4 Recovery is a drug and alcohol rehabilitation offers assistance conducting a professional intervention.  Solutions 4 Recovery provides professional interventionists to assist friends and family members in guiding their loved one into rehab.  Using a proven intervention strategy, these professionals know how to do an intervention effectively to offer hope for loved ones who wish to see their family member overcome addiction.  To schedule a meeting with a skilled interventionist, please contact Solutions 4 Recovery today at (888) 417-1874