Who Should Participate in An Addiction Intervention
Drug addiction is an epidemic that is sweeping the nation. Many addicts try to stop at one point or another but can’t do it on their own.
With more than 72,000 people dying in the U.S. alone in 2017, something has to be done to help addicts overcome their addiction and get America back on track.
Many families choose to hold addiction interventions to help motivate and support their loved ones to get help with their addiction. They wonder who should participate in an addiction intervention for their loved one.
If you have an addicted loved one this information can help you.
Use the following guide to learn everything you need to know about holding an intervention.
Hold an Addiction Intervention
An addiction intervention is a meeting where people come together to share their concern for an addicted loved one.
The addict needs to know that they will get support from everyone as long as they stay clean and sober.
It’s rare that a person who is abusing alcohol and drugs realizes how bad their problem is.
Defense mechanisms like denial are built to hide them from the truth and this what allows the addiction to continue.
An intervention can tear down those walls of denial to help them see what’s really going on.
Who Should Come to an Addiction Intervention?
When holding an addiction intervention, it’s important to take careful consideration of who should participate.
You want your loved one to be surrounded by people they trust.
An interventionist can help you take a look at the list of possible participants and discuss each relationship in detail. It’s important to weigh out the pros and the cons.
This can help you to be sure that the list of attendees can be thought through carefully. It’s important to get addiction intervention right the first time.
Who Shouldn’t Come to the Addiction Intervention?
People who have a negative or volatile relationship with your loved one should not participate.
An intervention is a time of firm love and acceptance, not judgment and harshness. When an addict feels judgment, running away is often the default solution.
Interventions can sometimes be intense.
The addict could end up saying harsh and hurtful things when confronted with their addiction.
It’s best to avoid having children in the room during an intervention because some of the things they may hear could be hurtful or inappropriate.
If children want to address the addiction with their loved one, they could write a note for the addict to read or to have read to them.
What Should be Discussed During an Addiction Intervention?
When you hold an intervention, it’s important to have substantial things to discuss.
The information should be based on provable facts and instances.
Make sure to only include family and friends who are willing to stick to the facts and not make generalized or stigmatizing statements to your loved one about their use.
If a professional interventionist is leading the intervention, they can help guide you further on this.
How to Prepare for the Intervention
Before holding an intervention take the time to create a format and plan of action.
Find an addiction treatment facility for them to go to as soon as the intervention is over.
You want to be able to get them on the way to the treatment center immediately after they say yes.
Be sure to find out if the treatment is covered by their insurance, needs to be paid out of pocket, or if they could get a scholarship to help pay for the costs.
You don’t want to talk someone into getting help with their addiction only to be turned down because of their financial situation.
If the addict has children, be sure to have arrangements in place for their care so that the person can focus on overcoming their addiction rather than worrying about what is going on with their kids.
Knowing their kids will be safe while they go through recovery can make the process easier for them.
What Issues Could Arise During the Intervention?
It’s important to know that addicts do sometimes become defensive during an intervention.
You can’t trap an addict in a house if they want to leave. It’s best to try to keep everyone calm during the intervention so that the person can hear what everyone is saying.
Yelling and screaming will cause the person to shut down, react with violence, or run away.
An Addiction Interventionist Can Get You The Results You Want
When they’re ready, be prepared to give them the help they need.
Hire an interventionist and find a local treatment facility for your loved one to go to so you can help them overcome their addiction as quickly and as easily as possible.
The effort that everyone puts into the intervention will be well worth it once your loved one is free from their addiction.
