How to Set Up an Intervention for Addiction?
If you wonder how addictive alcohol is, it is enough to know that approximately 18% of the Canadian population will meet the criteria for addiction to alcohol in their lifetime. While responsible drinking is part of our culture, alcohol can quickly become a self-medication tool for many.
But what is an intervention? And what benefits can it offer? Here is what you need to know to plan a successful intervention for your loved ones.
What is an Intervention?
If you have noticed that a loved one is battling a worsening addiction to drugs, prescription drugs, or alcohol, it is easy to feel powerless. However, there is a lot that you can do with the help of mental health professionals. One of the most efficient strategies is to plan an intervention.
Interventions are organized by the friends and family members of a loved one struggling with addiction. An intervention is a planned group attempt to confront the situation. During an intervention, the participating family members, friends, colleagues, and partners will get the chance to share how a person’s addiction to drugs or alcohol has negatively affected their lives.
In most cases, the goal of an intervention is to persuade the person struggling with alcohol addiction to quit, see a counselor, or sign up for a professional treatment program.
While there is scientific evidence that an intervention can be beneficial, it is essential to plan it well and with the help of a specialized professional. In such a delicate situation, any faux pas can lead to opposite results than the ones expected.
How To Safely Set Up an Intervention
There are two main types of interventions: crisis intervention and worsening condition intervention. If you are looking to set up a confrontation with a loved one, make sure to partner with a professional experienced in these kinds of procedures. You’ll be able to understand how to set up a successful intervention and what type of confrontation is best for your loved one’s needs.
Here is an overview of intervention planning:
Focus on the environment - Select a “controlled” setting where the person struggling with addiction can feel safe and comfortable; this will put them in a position where they are most likely to listen.
Decide whether it needs to be a total surprise - Historically, interventions were designed to be a surprise. However, new techniques might allow you to confide with your loved ones that you want them to see a counselor to help them overcome their addiction.
Choose who will participate - Interventions leverage the caring and trusting relationship between a person with addiction and their loved ones. Make sure to choose participants who have the subject’s best interests at heart. If you ask children and elderly individuals to participate, make them aware of how intense interventions can be.