How to Succeed in Staging an Intervention
You may have a concern over a loved one’s life due to substance abuse or addiction. But how do you stage an intervention? There are important things to remember, including the available help of an intervention specialist.
Why Consider Staging an Intervention?
A loved one may be battling with drug or alcohol addiction, or compulsive gambling. Or perhaps prescription drug abuse or compulsive eating could be placing your loved one’s health at stake, and from the outside, it may seem obvious that they should seek treatment.
But life experiences, mental health, and various other factors make addictions complicated, and treatment may not be so easy for them to accept. Amid an addiction, denial and fear may dominate, and it could be very difficult to see any destruction caused by choices or behaviors.
According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, treatment does not need to be entirely voluntary to be effective. Sanctions or enticements from family and other institutions can significantly increase treatment entry, retention rates, and the ultimate success of drug treatment interventions.
Mental illness and substance abuse often coincide. Depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, and many other disorders are often underlying or co-occurring with alcohol or drug addiction. Many people living with mental illness may not see that they require help, and the nature of addiction also prevents many from identifying an issue. Interventions are helpful when those close to someone suffering from addiction have not been able to persuade them to seek support. The recovery process can be initiated by a concerned loved one successfully staging an intervention.
Tips for Successful Intervention
An intervention is a structured conversation that takes place between loved ones and a person struggling with a substance use disorder. It may begin with an open discussion and often includes assistance from a professional interventionist to achieve an ideal outcome.
As a carefully planned process, interventions help to show those suffering from substance abuse or addiction how their actions affect their loved ones, with the ultimate goal of helping the addicted person accept treatment. To successfully convince someone with a substance use disorder to enter treatment, professional treatment advice from an addiction professional, education about drug or alcohol addiction, as well as cautious planning are required.
Who’s Attending?
The team needs to be just right. An intervention team typically includes four to six people, who are either loved, liked, or respected by the person struggling.
While it may seem obvious that family and close friends should come, it is vital to take time to carefully consider who. As an initial intervention aims to secure a ‘yes’ or ‘no’ response from someone concerning treatment, individuals who have a close emotional connection are useful. But family members or friends that are overly emotional, are quick to anger, or have a strained relationship with the person may not be beneficial to the intervention.
The same goes for anyone who has an unmanaged substance abuse problem or suffers from mental health issues of their own, or anyone who may sabotage the intervention. In case it is important to have someone involved who may create a problem during the intervention, a short letter can be written that someone else could read.
Intervention Specialists
Staging an intervention is more likely to be effective with professional assistance. A professional interventionist usually specializes in alcohol abuse, mental illness, and drug addiction, and can therefore offer a lot of support for all participants. Educating the intervention party about the process of intervention and the substance abuse their loved one is dealing with is one way.
According to the National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence, intervention specialists may be especially important in attending for support if a loved one is taking several mood-altering substances, and has a history of serious mental illness, violence, or suicidal behavior. They can help in case a person reacts self-destructively or violently.
Another way a professional interventionist can provide support is by being a ‘third’ party, who is objective. This is extremely important, as family and friends are easily caught up in manipulation, and may have tried unsuccessful methods of making someone stop before. Many times family and friends have been unknowingly enabling a person’s addiction.
An intervention specialist, being impartial, also keeps communication between everyone moving and as fair as possible. What is to be said at an intervention often determines its success, and a specialist can help to ensure that the conversation stays constructive and that it contributes toward the goal of treatment acceptance.
Planning
Since successful interventions are scripted, the more planning before speaking that happens, the better. If approached without much forethought, this delicate situation may turn upside down as speaking spontaneously runs the risk of someone becoming emotionally charged.
Careful planning includes deciding who will lead the intervention, the order of individuals speaking, as well as agreement to stick to the plan regardless of the reaction. Research should be done by each participant so that they can understand as much as possible about the many aspects of the issue, and so that they may be better able to remain calm. Often, a rehearsal intervention is necessary.
It’s also good to know that not all interventions work and emotionally prepare for this possibility. Interventions can be unpredictable, and it is very common for people to storm out, cry uncontrollably, erupt in anger, insist that they do not need help, or accuse loved ones of betrayal or hypocrisy.
A backup plan is needed in case something unexpected occurs, and an intervention specialist can help design one. Members of the group should be prepared to predetermine consequences in case a person refuses help. These consequences are not to punish the person, but instead, a means to prevent further enabling. For example, if a loved one refuses to accept treatment, a family member may decide to no longer allow them to live in the house, or give them money. The consequences are particular to each family and the intervention group, but everyone must be prepared to hold strong to them.
When and Where
While what is said at the intervention is vital, the setting is equally so. When, as well as where, the meeting is held can make a difference in how receptive a loved one is to what others have to say, as well as how comfortable everyone feels.
The best time is when the person is less likely to be under the influence, or as close to sober as possible. In this way, they are most likely to register what is being said and to react rationally.
The space of the meeting also plays a role. A neutral location, like a therapist’s office, is more likely to prompt a person to be on their best behavior, while it also decreases the chances of someone storming off into a private space.
What Is Said and How Is It Said?
By describing concerns and ways that they have been hurt, friends and family can help trigger realization or acceptance in someone who suffers from addiction.
But it is important to provide specific examples. While talking about how the person’s actions or decisions have made everyone feel is acceptable, generalities are not as effective in persuading them. An example of a specific incident where their destructive behavior had a significant impact on a family member should take priority, and the details can come after.
While it is normal to feel angry about a loved one’s addiction and their refusal for seeking addiction treatment, yelling or exploding will oppose the desired effect. Even if justified, judgment will have a negative effect on the intervention, as does berating and belittling.
A substance use disorder means that a person is in the grip of a complex illness. This means that they may be convinced they do not need help and will do whatever they can to avoid treatment as long as possible. That is why support, openness, warmth, respect, and compassion from an intervention party are vital.
How Can Friends and Family Convey Their Feelings?
Loved ones of someone suffering from addiction may rightfully experience extreme frustration, anger, or even rage. Expressing these emotions during the intervention will make it unproductive, messy, and complicated, but they may be very difficult to control. That is why every member of the intervention team may have to pre-write their stories, that an intervention specialist can review. The specialist can help everyone frame their statements so that they do not trigger negative emotions.
When each person has spoken, treatment options and growth opportunities should be presented, offering immediate help. In case they refuse, the group will have to present the predetermined consequences with the help of the intervention professional.
What Happens After?
A successful intervention avoids any vague promises of help. Getting in touch with addiction services and knowing which addiction treatment centers a loved one can go to before the intervention is vital. Preparation in advance for an evaluation and an offer of a prearranged treatment plan can be of great benefit. This can show clear directions about the next steps of addiction treatment and what the program entails.
Recovery goals and following up during and after treatment are essential for both the intervention group and the person suffering from addiction. Goals should be discussed among everyone in the intervention group so that the needs and expectations are clear and function as motivation for someone completing treatment.
This goes along with everyone’s willingness to support their loved one as he or she goes through detox, alcohol or drug rehab, and long-term recovery. An example is offering to drive them to a treatment facility, or attending family therapy sessions.
Where Can I Find an Addiction Treatment Center?
If you are concerned about a loved one’s addiction or substance abuse, Brookdale’s highly trained professional interventionists can help. Our team of experts works with compassion, respect, empathy, and dignity, providing your family with the necessary resources, guidance, and support throughout the entire intervention process.
With several decades of experience in helping families, our intervention specialists will increase the chances of your loved one accepting treatment in a safe environment.
As an addiction treatment provider, Brookdale offers treatment advice and also various treatment options after an intervention. We can design a treatment program tailored to your loved one’s needs, and offer support groups and aftercare, ensuring that they have the best chance for long-term recovery.