Helping a loved one with any type of substance use disorder (SUD) is difficult, but accepting the help for many people is just as challenging due to various reasons. An honest, open conversation can sometimes start the road to recovery, but when it’s addiction, the person with the addiction frequently doesn’t see any problem. That’s when a more focused approach is necessary. It may be required to join with others and take action through a formal intervention to help your loved one.
At Immersive Recovery in Encinitas, California, our men’s rehab center is fully equipped to help individuals struggling with various addictions receive the help they need to achieve and maintain sobriety. Here’s our guide on how to stage an intervention.
What Is An Intervention?
An intervention is a carefully planned method of addressing a person’s harmful behavior (usually related to substance use or other addictive behaviors). Interventions may involve family, friends, colleagues, or other concerned people. The main goal of an intervention is to help the person understand the negative impact of their behavior and agree to get professional treatment. It allows your loved one to accept help and make changes before things worsen.
Types of Interventions
Interventions can be classified by the number and type of individuals staging the intervention. The different types are:
- Simple intervention: When one person, usually a friend or family member, confronts the person with a substance use disorder (SUD) in a neutral location. It’s more likely to be successful if a professional is consulted beforehand.
- Classic intervention: When a group of people, usually family and friends, get together to face the loved one in a non-confrontational manner to explain how the person’s SUD affects them and the need for them to get treatment.
- Family systems intervention: This method is meant to confront the family members who are either contributing to substance use issues in one member, or sometimes, all members have substance use problems. The aim is to get all family members into treatment as a group or individually. Because of the complicated issues involved, this type of intervention requires professional help in planning and organization.
Key Elements of an Intervention
Here are some of the key elements of an intervention:
- Organized and Planned: Interventions need to be meticulously planned. Getting the help of a professional interventionist or counselor will significantly improve the chance of success.
- Target Specific Behaviors: Interventions focus on specific behaviors and their consequences. This helps avoid general accusations and judgmental language.
- Express Love and Concern: Intervention participants communicate their genuine concern and care for the person.
- Present Facts and Examples: Offer accurate examples of how the person’s behavior has affected themselves and others.
- Offer Support and Solutions: Discuss specific treatment options and support systems.
- Presenting Consequences: If your loved one refuses help, pre-determined consequences, such as withholding financial support or other enabling actions, should exist.
Immersive Recovery is a men’s rehab in Encinitas, CA. We are experienced in helping men turn their lives around after struggling with drug or alcohol addiction. To begin, we have a medical detox program, typically the first step in addiction treatment. Drug and alcohol withdrawal can be life-threatening, so a medically supervised detox may be necessary to prepare for further treatment.
