Intervention Importance In Helping Someone Overcome Addiction Problems

So, you can see a close one suffering from the painful clutches of addiction?

Yes, we can understand. It is painful to watch, and don’t you hate it when your hands are tied but are they really?

You will need some help, but no one has restricted you from talking to the patient. It can be scary because you do not know their state of mind.

How would they take this infiltration?

Will they lash out, making the situation worse?

How should you start?

These are some of the questions which might be concerning you, and it is understandable. However, at the same time, you won’t be able to get all the answers by just sitting here and speculating.

This might be the right time for an intervention!

What Is An Intervention?

An Intervention is when you gather a group and peacefully confront a close one who is suffering from a condition they are in denial of.

• The group will require all the closest friends and family of the person.
• The group should be patient.
• You cannot directly charge someone.
• The talk has to be peaceful.

What Is An Addiction Intervention?

When someone is going through an addiction, their initial reaction is always major denial. They cannot see the harmful effects of addiction themselves, and as their friends or close family, it is your responsibility.

An addiction intervention is when you gather around the patient’s closest friends and family who understand the situation without judgment.

The next step is to sit with the person suffering from addiction and make them understand the harsh effects of addiction on their lives.

But ensure that you do not scare them. Since you might not be well acquainted with the addiction and detoxification procedure, take some professional help if you need it.

How Can Addiction Intervention Help?

If you are wondering whether a few family members and friends sitting and explaining can really help the patient, then here is your answer.

Here are some of the ways in which this intervention can be extremely helpful.

1. It Can Be An Eye Opener

Sometimes patients don’t understand how far gone they are. So they keep making excuses for themselves and fall more prey to the addiction.

An intervention can be a major eye-opener for them. Making them understand that their issues are no more concealed than their closed ones, and if they are worried, then there is definitely a problem.

2. There Will Be Hope

The trick is to make the person understand and not scare them. Then, when with the right professional help you are able to explain them, they will not lose hope.

Yes, they will come to terms with the problem, but they will also know that there is light at the end of the tunnel. This is why it is absolutely necessary to take some help.

3. There Will Be A Sense Of Support

Patients are often scared to talk about it because they are afraid of being judged, shamed, or misunderstood.

With an invention of such kind, you are already putting forward a helping hand towards them. They know that you have their back.

4. It Will Help Them Make A Recovery Plan

People suffering from addiction are confused and scared. They are not in the right state of mind to make a recovery plan.

When you sit with and talk about detoxification and recovery centers, it will help them start their clean and healthy life journey.

5. It Will Help Them Get Comfortable

Being surrounded by non-judgemental loved ones helps them get a grasp on their communication.

Now, they can communicate even more freely and talk about their problems and issues.

How To Execute A Perfect Addiction Intervention

Now that you have made the conscious decision to hold an intervention, here is the step-by-step method of doing it correctly.

1. Create A Group

You will need to create the group very carefully. They need to consist of people who care and worry for the patient.

They have to be free of any judgment, and they need to have extreme patience because they cannot lash out at someone who is already going through a lot.

2. Gather All The Knowledge & Information

Addiction can be quite a foreign subject for someone who doesn’t dwell on the matter. If you want to hold an intervention, you need to gather as much information as you can.

Only then will you be able to explain to the person that they are suffering from an addiction.

3. Ask For Professional Help

Suppose you are not a professional working in this field for quite some time. Therefore, you shouldn’t feel shy of taking some professional help in this matter.

You can talk to a therapist or a doctor, and they can give you advice on how to carry the intervention out.

4. Make A Rough Sketch

Make a rough sketch of everything you want to cover. The trick is to make them understand they have a problem without scaring them.

You have to understand the vulnerability of the patient and their type of addiction. Only then can you make an informed plan.

5. Write Down The Dos & Don’ts

Write down a strict list of dos and don’ts and give them to each of the participants. Of course, you have to be very careful about how to frame your sentences when you are talking to them.

Make sure that you avoid words like ‘addict,’ ‘junkie,’ or ‘alcoholic’ because they might be triggering anxiety.

6. Pick The Time

Pick a time that is comfortable for the patient. For example, they do not make it to the end of the weekday when they are already stressed from work.

Make it early in the morning, preferably on the weekend. Ensure that their mindset is somewhat stable before throwing the question.

Final Note

It is okay to be nervous because you don’t want to make the situation worse. However, always take professional help and talk to a therapist if needed.

Family therapies can also be a great place of intervention, but ensure that the patient knows about it and they are not ambushed.

Happy & Safe Intervention!