Helping a loved one living with an addiction is, more often than not, a challenging experience. For example, despite your best efforts, your loved one may struggle to even recognize that they have a problem. If they know they have a problem, they might refuse to acknowledge the negative effects of their behavior. Sometimes, they might flat out deny your concerns and lash out in anger towards you for trying to address the issue at all. As frustrating as addiction can be, there’s hope. An intervention can help your loved one face the truth and get on the road to recovery.
An intervention is an organized attempt to confront a loved one who is struggling with an addiction. This carefully planned process provides family, friends, and colleagues an opportunity to tell the addicted person how their substance abuse has negatively affected their life as well as the lives of those around them. The goal of an intervention is to help individuals stop denying the severity of their situation, make changes before things get worse, and seek treatment.
Interventions can be solely facilitated by family members and friends, but research shows that interventions that include a doctor, licensed alcohol or drug counselor, or professional interventionist tend to be most effective.
During an intervention, you and other people who care about your loved one will gather together to help your friend or relative acknowledge both their actions and the consequences of those actions. You will also work together to encourage your loved one to seek treatment.
The process generally happens as follows:
Individuals facing an intervention can be irritated, frustrated, and upset so it’s important to interact with them lovingly but honestly. Remember, the ultimate goal is to encourage your loved one to seek professional addiction treatment.
According to a landmark study published in the American Journal of Drug and Alcohol Abuse, individuals who undergo an intervention are much more likely to seek treatment than individuals who aren’t confronted about their drug or alcohol use. The medical community and addiction treatment industry agree. In fact, the National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence suggests that more than 90% of properly performed interventions lead to a person seeking addiction treatment.
But you should also know that interventions don’t automatically affect the outcome of the treatment. Individuals that seek treatment without being fully committed to a life of sobriety are less likely to complete treatment, maintain abstinence, and obtain long-term recovery whether they have received an intervention or not.
Generally, the success of an intervention increases when:
If your loved one does decide to receive treatment, be supportive. Visit them in their treatment program. Attend family therapy sessions. Let them know you’re thinking about them and wish them well. Individuals who have strong social support are more likely to obtain and maintain long-term recovery.
Interventions work by addressing substance abuse issues, pointing out specific ways addiction causes harm and setting boundaries.
Here at Meta, we know how tiring, exhausting, and frustrating trying to help an addict can be. But we also know that getting your loved one the help they need can help change the trajectory of their life. That’s why we offer professional intervention services that include:
Our recovery experts and interventionist can help you have the necessary, but difficult conversation that can help change your loved one’s life. Contact us today to learn more.
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