When a loved one is struggling with drug or alcohol addiction, you will want to talk to them about how they can get help. No matter how close you are to a person, it may feel like having this conversation is challenging. But when your loved one’s life is spiraling out of control and they are harming themselves, keeping quiet can be a form of enabling.Intervention and ensure your loved one gets the help they need?
Reason for an Intervention
The goal of your intervention should be to encourage and motivate your loved one to get treatment. Although an intervention does not influence how the treatment will work and turn out, it is a start to recovery. Once your loved one agrees to treatment, let them start immediately. Waiting it out only makes the person overthink and back out of the agreed plan. View more on drug and rehab treatment and ensure your loved one gets help.
What to Do During and Intervention
If possible, it is vital to get a few other people close to the victim. Do not include someone in the group who finds it hard to limit their words, may sabotage the intervention, or your loved one does not like it. Also, make sure the intervention does not come out as a confrontation but rather, a discussion. The goal is to convince your loved one to go to rehab to get treatment.
How Does an Intervention Work?
- During the planning process, consult close friends and a professional counselor who can help you plan an effective intervention. Note that this is a tense situation that can result in resentment, anger, and a feeling of betrayal. After you have decided on the people who will participate, pick a date and a location. You should also ensure you all speak one message. Ensure that the discussion is focused on the problem and finding a solution. Also, agree to keep this to yourselves till the day of the intervention.
- Collect the necessary information. It is good to find out to what extent your loved one has been abused. Read all you can on drug abuse and the various treatment options This will ensure that you know what to discuss with the victim.
- Decide on the consequences. Most times, loved ones can be hesitant to get help. In fact, they might even fight you on the issue. That is why you need to come up with the consequences of refusing to get treatment. For instance, you may choose to ask them to move out if they refuse to get help.
- Note down what you will say. Even when you are adequately prepared, this is a sensitive subject, and you may forget a few things. Make notes of everything you want to say, including how your loved one’s addiction is not only affecting them but other people as well.
- Have the meeting. Invite your loved one to the meeting without telling them the reason. All of you can then take turns talking to your loved one and finally present the various treatment options. Ensure that you do not threaten with a consequence you are not ready to go through with. When your loved one agrees, it is vital to follow up and see how they are doing. Check in and monitor changes in behavior. You should also agree to any family counseling that is vital in their recovery.
Do not just sit as your loved one struggles with addiction. An intervention is a great start to ensure they get help. It works even better when you work with a professional. They will advise you on the best way to handle the situation from years of experience.
