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Drug & Alcohol Intervention Resource Guide
Thousands of people in the United States are addicted to some kind of illegal narcotic substance, and even more are considered alcoholics. Regardless of the type of addiction, these kinds of problems can seep into the lives of family members and friends, and affect not just the addict, but everyone in their life as well. Alcohol and drug abuse can have a devastating affect on someone's health as well as their relationships with their parents, children, spouse, coworkers, and friends. These problems can cause people to lose their jobs as well, and create a snowball of problems that worsen over time. Often, an intervention is needed to help show the person with the addiction just how much their problem is having an impact on others. The purpose of an intervention is to get the full attention of the addict and express to them your concerns for their well-being as well as your own. It offers a forum for others to let the person know just how important they are and how the substance-abuse is truly having an impact on others.
What You Need to Conduct an Intervention
The first thing you should do when planning an intervention is tp discuss it with others, and receive various inputs. Determine a specific date, location, and time, and then stick with it. Get the person you are asking to come over to commit to seeing you on this particular day. You can choose a location that they will feel comfortable in, such as their own home or your home. Be sure that the people attending are completely committed to showing up or else the intervention will not be effective. You will need this commitment so that everyone can voice their thoughts at once and so the person you have asked to see you fully understands the scope of the situation. Come up with a plan in advance of what you want to say, and ask everyone else to do the same. They can jot this down in a notebook and bring it with them, so that their thoughts can be expressed fully.
What to Expect During Interventions
An intervention is not meant to make the person with substance problems feel guilt or feel as if they are cornered, but often this is what happens. Expect things to be extremely emotional and the person may get defensive. Those attending will probably not know how to present their opinion without hurting someone's feelings, so there may be harsh words exchanged. The person with the drinking or drug problem might get angry and walk out. Sadly, this happens quite often with interventions. If it does happen, hopefully a trusted friend or parent can talk with the person and convince them to return and hear everyone out. If you are unable to enlist the help of a professional for the intervention, then you may come across many difficulties and might not get a result immediately. In other words, the person might not agree to rehab or counseling right away. Think of the intervention as the first step in getting them to see the light and consider getting the help they need.
Different Types of Intervention Approaches
There are different ways to approach an intervention, and each method will depend on the person with the problem as well as the participants, and how they will respond to the intervention request. Sometimes, a "surprise" intervention is needed to let the person know how serious the issue really is. While this is usually an extreme method reserved for people with very dire problems, the person usually does not react well to something like this. An organized intervention is a bit less impromptu, and allows for more planning. A professional intervention involves a physician or psychologist who deals with people with addictive behavior. This type of intervention almost always requires the prior consent of the addict in advance, and then family and friends must agree to attend at a set time. It offers a forum for everyone, with the professional serving as a moderator. Regardless of the method, the purpose is to make sure the person with the substance abuse is clear about why they are participating in such a conversation.
Handling an Emotional or Angry Subject During an Intervention
Expect the subject of an intervention to be defensive, and feel as if they are being attacked. This will often result in either tears or yelling at some point during the experience. The person may feel as if they have been tricked into something, or that everyone in the room is after them. If the subject becomes angry, it's important to try and diffuse the situation immediately. Tell the person how much they are loved, and that the purpose of the intervention is to help save their life. Do not allow the subject to start bargaining or making deals in order to get out of the intervention. Make sure that the purpose is clear: to tell them about the importance of what they are doing, and that the goal is to get them the right help so they can get clean. If the subject gets emotional, be supportive but do not let their emotions get the best of you. Be strong and listen with an open mind, but do not allow them to walk all over you because they begin crying or acting as if they feel a strong sense of guilt.
Pros and Cons of Interventions
An intervention can be a life-changing event. On the other hand, sometimes the intervention can backfire, causing the subject to delve into drugs or alcohol even more. The main reason people conduct interventions is to let the subject know just how important their lives are to them, and that they need some help to get their life back in order. The pros of an intervention can often outweigh the cons, because the subject usually agrees to begin some sort of counseling program or rehab. In other cases, however, the person may become offended by the intervention and get angry, harboring feelings of resentment towards anyone who participated. This can make the already strained relationship even more strained. If this happens, sometimes it is best to let the subject alone for a while, and then try to make contact with them after things have simmered down. Overall, interventions are a good way to get people with alcohol or drug problems to get another perspective about their problem, and find help so they can live a clean and sober life.
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