Families coping with a drug addiction within their ranks are incredibly difficult to handle. The unconditional love they have for that individual is constantly tested by the addict’s actions. Watching an addict slowly destroy their bodies, minds, lives, and futures can be torturous. Addicts turn their family’s lives into a revolving door of chaos and turmoil. Addicts lie, cheat, and steal from their loved ones in order to support their habits. Getting an addict to accept help for their addiction is a difficult process. Families try to beg, plead, guilt, and bribe their addicted loved ones to get help to no avail. Hosting an intervention is one powerful tool to use to get an addict to accept help. Holding interventions are difficult processes to host, but it becomes even more complicated when the addict is an unwilling adult.
Interventions
The goal of an intervention is to get an addict to understand the damage they are causing to themselves and their family. The Johnson model of intervention is the most commonly known intervention. Family and friends get together to call an intervention. They are expected to meet at least once before conducting the real intervention. Here the family and friends of the addict can discuss what they want to say, who is going to speak when, how long each individual gets, and what they all expect out of the intervention. This style of intervention is meant to be confrontational. Friends and family confront the addict about their addictive behavior, alcohol or drug abuse, and how it affects them. The addict will be made aware that their family and friends are there to support them, but only if they choose to receive proper treatment. Addicts are also made aware that they are going to abide by new rules, boundaries, and consequences for their continued abuse of drugs or alcohol.
The invitational model of intervention differs from the Johnson model in that the addict is invited to a ‘workshop’. A friend or family member extends an invitation to the addict giving them all the information about what is going to happen. The addict understands that the gathering is an intervention for their drug abuse. The addict has the choice to agree or not to agree to attend the workshop. This style allows for the addict to choose to listen and get help, opposed to confronting them. In this style the negative results of confrontation are evaded. It should also be noted that in this style if the addict does not want to come to the workshop or refuses, then they can be forced. Regardless of their willingness they are aware of the purpose of the meeting. The field model of intervention is a combination of the former two interventions. Where this model differs is in its flexibility. The counselor or therapist that is part of the intervention has the ability to adapt to the situation. Based on the circumstances of the intervention the mediator can move things in the best direction. In certain situations the confrontational method of intervention is not always best. If there is a possibility of hostility, violence, or anything that would cause the harm of the addict or those involved in the intervention, then a systemic intervention would be the best option. During an addiction and recovery the most important thing to maintain is the safety of all the people around the addict, addict included. Systemic interventions show how to encourage the addict to get help. Only behaviors and interactions that encourage positive abstinence are emphasized. With thorough counseling that emphasizes addict/counselor trust building systemic interventions can get the addictive behavior to change.
Against Their Will Interventions
Holding interventions can be difficult, but not impossible. Families should consider using a professional interventionalist to help them with the process. Addicts that are more likely to become physical or hostile in the intervention should be closely monitored and the families should have a plan of action. In most states drug treatment cannot be forced on addicts. There are ways; however, families can force their addicted loved ones into treatment. By proving in court that they are no longer able to manage their lives due to an addiction families can force their loved ones into treatment. An addict that is not willing to go to rehab can be forced by leveling a threat of legal authorities on the addict. Addicts that are unwilling to seek treatment often seek treatment when they are threatened with legal action. Safety is the most important part of an intervention; if the situation can become violent having proper authorities around is essential. Never give up on addicted love one, families should do everything within their power to help an addict get help.
Leave a Reply