A Guide to Addiction Intervention: How to Help a Loved One Who Needs Help
Opioid addiction continues to ravage communities across the nation. More than 200,000 Americans are estimated to have died from opioids between 2001 and 2017—and overdose deaths continue to climb. If you or someone you love is struggling with opioid addiction, intervention is essential.
However, intervening when someone has an addiction can be extremely difficult and challenging. That’s why a guide to addiction intervention is so important. Learning about intervention can help you decide if this is the right path for you and your loved one. If you are ready to take action, read on for our ultimate guide to intervention as it relates to opioid use disorder and other drug addictions.
What is an Addiction Intervention?
An addiction intervention is an event where individuals confront an addicted loved one about their substance use and encourage them to get treatment. An intervention is a loving gesture that can help addicted individuals get the help they need. An addiction intervention is usually held in a quiet and private location, such as a church, restaurant, or hotel meeting room. An addiction intervention is not a legal proceeding, and the addicted person does not have any rights during the intervention.
The intervention is a collaborative event in which the addicted person’s loved ones come together to express how their substance use is affecting their lives. Addiction interventions are most effective when people plan ahead. Ideally, someone will hold an intervention when their loved one’s substance abuse is at a critical level. Otherwise, it can be difficult to convince someone with an addiction to get help. That’s why an intervention should be planned like a mini-funeral. You want to plan the event in advance so that you can have everything you need to succeed.
Why Hold an Addiction Intervention?
An addiction intervention is the best way to get a loved one with an addiction into treatment. An intervention is a loving and caring way of expressing concern and worry about a loved one’s substance use. It is also a way of letting them know that you have recognized the problem and want to help. Holding an intervention is a proactive way of getting help for an addicted loved one.
It can also be an effective last resort when other methods have failed. If a friend or family member has refused help for an addiction, an intervention can help to convince them to accept treatment. An addiction intervention can help you address an addicted loved one’s denial. It can be difficult to talk to someone who doesn’t see a problem, so an intervention can help to break through the denial and get the person to accept help.
How to Hold an Intervention
If you’ve decided to hold an addiction intervention, here are some steps to follow:
– Select the location – The intervention should take place in a quiet and comfortable place. You want to avoid a public setting that could result in unnecessary embarrassment for your loved one. The location should be private and include ample seating for the participants.
– Inform the individual you are holding an intervention – You should let the addicted individual know that you are holding an intervention and why. You want to give them plenty of time to prepare for the event, so you should inform them at least three days in advance.
– Select the individuals who will participate in the intervention – Choose individuals who are willing and able to confront your loved one about his or her substance use and encourage treatment. Ideally, you want to select people who have been affected by the individual’s substance use. You should also consider including people who have been in recovery for a while.
– Write down what you’re going to say – You should write down what you plan to say during the intervention. You don’t want to be caught off guard during the event, so you should have a written outline of everything you want to say.
– Warn the individual that emotions may be high – You want to let your loved one know that there may be some strong emotions during the intervention. You can let them know that it is okay to get emotional and to cry if they need to. Emotions are a normal part of an intervention, and you can use them to your advantage.
– Conduct the intervention – Once you have prepared for the intervention, you can hold the event. You want to hold the intervention in a quiet and private location. Ideally, this will be a location that your loved one will feel comfortable in and safe in.
3 Things to Remember When Holding an Intervention
– This isn’t a legal proceeding – An intervention isn’t a legal proceeding or a way to force someone into treatment. It’s a collaborative event in which people come together to express their concerns about an addiction.
– Be prepared – An intervention is a very emotional event. Be prepared to feel strong emotions, and be prepared to cry. You should also be prepared for your loved one to cry as well. Letting emotions out can be a very helpful part of the recovery process.
– Everyone’s recovery is different – Recovery looks different for everyone and progresses at different paces. Don’t compare one person’s journey to another’s. Instead, focus on your loved one and helping them to get into a program that works best for them.
Final Tips
Communicate with your loved one before the intervention. Even if they don’t want help, you can use the opportunity to start a conversation about their substance use and express your concerns. Find a reputable addiction treatment center. After the intervention, you will want to quickly get your loved one into a treatment program.
Make sure you choose a program that has the best possible chance of success for your loved one. Even if you’re unsure if you should hold an addiction intervention, it’s important to keep the lines of communication open with a loved one who is struggling with substance use. You can also take other steps to help, such as joining an addiction support group or taking an online course.
