Should You Conduct Your Own Intervention?
Contrary to how it is often depicted in popular media, interventions do not just change someone’s life after an hour-long TV episode. In fact, addiction interventions are just the beginning of a continued process of treatment. Whether these are drug interventions or alcohol interventions, the goal of any intervention is the same: to help a person or a loved one get treatment and recover from a substance use disorder.
Often, people who struggle with addiction may not realize how their actions can affect themselves and others. Similarly, they may refuse to get treatment for their condition. However, if an intervention is implemented properly, this can help the individual reduce risk behaviors, improve their physical and social health, reduce the harm they may cause or experience, and prevent their substance use disorder from spiraling out of control.
Should You Conduct Your Own Intervention?
According to the National Center for Biotechnology Information, early intervention is key to helping someone who may be at risk of developing substance use disorder. With early intervention, the progression of this condition may be prevented. While early intervention is recommended, it is important to remember that the best approach is to always have a trained interventionist implementing this initial but vital stage in the treatment process.
Although families and friends may feel compelled to conduct interventions on their own, their emotional connection to the suffering individual may cause unintended issues. For one thing, a poorly implemented intervention may cause the individual in question to feel like they are being attacked by friends and family. This will likely affect their willingness to receive treatment.
Additionally, friends and family may unwittingly resort to blaming the individual, which can result in emotionally charged arguments that won’t address the root of the problem.
Thus, it is highly recommended to have a trained healthcare professional conduct the intervention for you. A professional can act as a calm and rational mediator that fosters fruitful discussion among all parties involved. This way, the individual can realize the effects of their actions and eventually opt for treatment.
Do Interventions Really Work?
As mentioned, the goal of every intervention is to get a person struggling with substance use disorder the help and treatment they really need. Staging an intervention requires careful planning, which is why the guidance of a trained professional is necessary. There are different intervention models that can be implemented and tailored depending on a person’s condition.
Again, an intervention is just the first step of the treatment process, and even treatment for substance abuse requires adjustments. In fact, according to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, relapses do not indicate that a treatment has failed. It only means that a person may need alternative treatment or that the treatment needs to be readjusted or reinstated. Similarly, you may need to try different intervention models until a person has agreed to receive continuous treatment.
Get the Help You Need
If you or a loved one is suffering from substance use disorder and feel that an intervention may be a necessary first step, Brookdale offers Intervention Services designed to address your specific circumstances and needs.
To learn more about Brookdale, our treatment programming, or to begin the admissions process, please call us today. We accept most insurances, which may cover most, if not all, costs associated with treatment at Brookdale.
References:
https://nida.nih.gov/publications/drugfacts/treatment-approaches-drug-addiction