When someone you love has a substance use problem, watching them progress on a downward spiral can be challenging.
Addiction affects everything it touches. A person addicted to drugs or alcohol can be hard to reason with because addiction affects reason, judgment, decision-making abilities, and emotions.
If someone you care about is struggling with addiction, you may need to set up a drug and alcohol intervention. While you may be able to reason with some people and encourage them to get assessed and undergo addiction treatment programs, some won’t be as easy to convince. Skywood Recovery can help you with drug and alcohol intervention if you’re in Augusta, Michigan. Call 269.280.4673 to ask us about addiction intervention and other addiction treatment programs offered at the health center.
What Comprises a Drug and Alcohol Intervention
Holding an intervention for a loved one struggling with addiction can be a vital first step in helping that person to reduce or discontinue drug or alcohol use. Interventions are primarily for encouraging an individual to stop substance use and to seek treatment. Many people are in denial of their substance use disorders (SUDs) or unaware of how their addiction-related actions affect those around them.
When planned carefully, an intervention can be very successful. Studies and research have shown that interventions can help reduce or stop substance use. Interventions are meetings in which friends, family, colleagues, and other loved ones share with someone struggling with addiction the following:
- Specific examples of their addiction-related destructive behavior
- Their emotions concerning the SUD’s effect on the person struggling with addiction
- Recommendations of possible options for addiction treatment
However, not everyone subject to interventions is immediately receptive. Therefore, it is crucial for an intervention plan to include several outcomes and responses. In many cases, an addiction intervention expert’s advice or presence during the event can be helpful.
How to Hold a Drug and Alcohol Addiction Intervention
When you plan to hold an intervention, there are a few things to remember before you meet with your loved one struggling with an SUD. If implemented carefully and with the person’s best interest in mind, it can be an eye-opening experience for everyone involved.
Before the Addiction Intervention
Some helpful steps in improving the chances of intervention success include the following:
- Gathering information – Many substance use levels should be considered when planning the intervention. What kinds of drugs are being used? How far has the abuse or addiction gone? Take this time to learn the extent of your loved one’s addiction or substance use problems and research possible treatment options.
- Planning – Preparation for the intervention is one of the most critical parts of the process. As mentioned earlier, you may want to consult with a professional interventionist or family mediator if you feel your loved one struggling with addiction may be hostile or if you are unsure of how to proceed.
- Getting your team together – Think about friends, family, and colleagues who may have been affected by your loved one’s substance use. Involve at least three people in the intervention, but remember that more than 10 people at the event can be overwhelming for your loved one struggling with addiction. You want to include people who positively influence your loved one—don’t include people who encourage or enable negative behavior. Designate one person as a leader of the intervening group. That person will keep the group focused throughout the intervention.
- Setting a date and time – During planning, consider where to hold the meeting, along with who you want to have involved. Pick a comfortable atmosphere without interruptions or distractions. You may want to avoid the person’s home.
Also, try to hold the intervention when your loved one is likely to be sober.
During the Addiction Intervention
Planning and gathering the necessary details are not enough to ensure success. During the intervention event, you also need to prioritize the following:
- Setting the consequences for refusal – More often than not, you’re likely to meet some resistance at first. Decide with your team what actions you should take should your loved one refuse to acknowledge their addiction or consider addiction treatment.
- Creating a unified message – Another crucial aspect of an intervention is what you will say during the meeting. Form a unified message after you speak with your team to ensure you are all on the same page. A helpful tip is to write down your message so you can avoid heavily charged emotions during the meeting.
- Using positive language and preparing concrete examples – When speaking to your loved one struggling with addiction, try to use positive language and “I” statements and have specific details about incidents that may have been problematic in the past. The more concrete examples you can provide, the more effective your message can be. It is important to stay away from negative language like “disappointed,” “ashamed,” or “failed.”
- Asking for an immediate decision – Most, if not all, people involved should address the importance of seeking addiction treatment and what benefits that can provide to your loved ones and people close to them. When speaking to someone struggling with addiction about considering treatment, asking for an immediate decision is vital. Insist on getting a commitment to treatment so that it can begin sooner rather than later.
If your loved one agrees to addiction treatment, acting quickly and staying involved is important. Be prepared to take them to a detox facility immediately, and be active in the recovery process. Stay in touch with the treatment center and the individual. A good support system is integral to helping a person stay in recovery and prevent relapse.
Find Help for Addiction Intervention in Augusta, Michigan, at Skywood Recovery
Interventions have been essential in helping to reduce alcohol abuse and illicit drug abuse. Additionally, it’s estimated that around 9% of interventions are successful in helping a person to seek SUD treatment. If you or someone you love is struggling with addiction, please get in touch with Skywood Recovery today at 269.280.4673. The admissions coordinators at Skywood Recovery are available 24 hours a day to speak with you about drug and alcohol intervention and other addiction treatment programs.