Interventions have hit mainstream media. The hit television shows and social media posts have popularized this very effective tool. Unfortunately, it has given interventions a ‘bad-rap’ or simply given people the wrong impression on what interventions are and their purpose. Most people would agree that interventions are used to get loved ones out of harm’s way. Families use these interventions to let addicts know that they are hurting themselves and the rest of the family. They use them to express their love and fear for the addict’s actions. It is important to make sure that anyone involved in the intervention fully understands each and every individual’s roles in the intervention. The more information that each member’s possesses the more influential they can be in the intervention. Here are five mistakes that family members make during an intervention.
Waiting for Rock Bottom
Rock bottom is commonly understood as the moment when an individual finally hits the worst moment in their life. It is an event that is perceived to be the worst possible or that nothing worse can happen. Rock bottom is most commonly used in relation to drug use, abuse and addiction. When an addict hits rock bottom they cannot get any worse and at this moment they can turn their lives around. The problem with this type of belief is that rock bottom does not exist. The moment to which nothing worse can happen is non-existent. This moment is completely different from person to person. For example, one person’s rock bottom could be flunking out of school, getting caught stealing money, getting a DUI or something worse like overdose and death. Families cannot wait for rock bottom because you never know what is rock bottom. Unfortunately, rock bottom for some is death or other different terrible things. When a family realizes there is a problem they should spring into action. Begin planning once an addiction is discovered.
Solo Work
Another major mistake that family members make is trying to fix the problem alone. Interventions work because the collection of loved ones is all working towards the same goal. The hints or lectures that individuals have made in the past often fall on deaf ears. Each individual has only experienced a small piece of the addiction problem. By coming together families can collectively approach the situation and gain the attention of the addict. Using an interventionist is the best way to increase the efficiency of the intervention. They can be viewed as the conductor of an orchestra and the family members are the musicians.
Skipping Rehearsal
Skipping rehearsal is the worst thing that family members and can do. At rehearsal the individuals are guided in the intervention process. Each member is responsible for a part of the intervention. If you miss the rehearsal you could not contribute properly or even incorrectly, which could cause the intervention to spin out of control.
Not Following Through
Families can become so excited by the acceptance of treatment by the addict that they do not properly follow through. The addict could return to their addictive behaviors or enter a treatment center/program that is ill equipped. These situations are dangerous to the health of an addict because detox and then relapse is one of the leading causes of overdose and fatality.
Breaking Down
Before the intervention, in rehearsal and directed by the interventionalist, the family is in agreement that the intervention will culminate in one of a number of definitive conclusions. The most important is that the addict is driven to a treatment center. The others simply include setting strict rules and consequences for the addict. When a family member caves in to manipulation or distress they breakdown the entire intervention. Family members must stick together to ensure the success of the intervention. The addict must be aware of the changes that the family is going to enforce. The addict will not manipulate anyone to enable their addictive behavior from that moment forward.
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