Intervention is a very key and very important factor in the addressing of an addiction in a family member or loved one. In fact, interventions are so important and so influencing on the field of addiction because they are necessary for ninety percent of all addiction scenarios.
For some data on this, studies show that crisis interventions for drug and alcohol abuse are now becoming more needed and more necessary than ever before. As each and every year goes by, addiction to drugs and alcohol in this country changes. The problems and the factors having to do with addiction generally speaking get worse and worse as the years go by, and convincing addicts to go to rehab to beat their addictions gets harder and harder. Hence the need for addiction intervention.
Studies have shown in recent years that the current percentage of American drug and alcohol addicts who are in fact NOT willing to seek out drug and alcohol addiction rehabilitation numbers as high as ninety percent in this country currently, as opposed to about fifty percent at the turn of the century.
What is occurring here is that the concept that one can just, “deal with his or her addiction,” is more prevalent than ever before, making the vast majority of the addicted populace feeling as though they do not need rehab and that they don’t really have a problem, to begin with. But this could not be further from the truth. In fact, substance abuse and drug addiction creates such a gripping crisis and such a terrible affliction that approaching the situation with an inpatient, residential, drug and alcohol addiction and dependence treatment center, detox facility, rehabilitation program, and recovery organization is the single best chance that anyone has of truly winning against this problem in the long run.
Addiction Intervention: The Second Time
A lot of the time addiction interventions don’t work the first time. This can be quite concerning and quite upsetting as more often than not most people were planning on that intervention working the first time, and more often than not people had to put a lot of work and a lot of effort and a lot of confront into that first time.
So, a lot of times people don’t really want to try for a second time, though they really should. The truth is, most addicts, especially young addicts, need some time to mull it over. A lot of times, an intervention will not work the first time, but it will work the second time. A lot of times, it is that second intervention, done a few days later or a week later, that will make all the difference. Here is a checklist for the next intervention, to ensure that it is done right, that it is done well, and that every opportunity possible is afforded the addict so that he or she can truly consider beating drug and alcohol addiction for good with the help of an inpatient, residential, drug and alcohol addiction and dependence treatment center, detox facility, rehabilitation program, and recovery organization:
1. Choose Your Team Wisely
Not everyone is well suited to be a part of an intervention team. The people involved have to be tough, they have to be capable, they have to be quick thinking, and they have to be able to control their emotions and not let their feelings get the better of them. Also be sure to not pick anyone who might anger the addict merely by their presence.
2. Find the Right Time to Talk
Ever hear the saying that timing is everything? This could not be truer when it comes to addiction intervention and all that goes into it. Addiction intervention truly comes down to the timing and when it is done. Monitor the habits and the mannerisms of the addicted loved one at different times of the day, during different days of the week. At what point are they most amicable? This is the time that the intervention should be held.
3. Use a Private, Formal Spot
Don’t ever hold an intervention in a public place, but do use a place that has some significance to the addict. His or her home, the parents’ home, a church, his or her place of work, etc. Use a place that will create a good feeling in the addict and be conducive to him or her saying yes to going to rehab.
4. Pay Attention to the Order of Speakers
How the intervention runs will make a big difference in its overall success. Make sure that you sit down with the people involved in the intervention and work out the ideal order in which everyone will say their peace in such a way that the addict will really get it and in such a way that it will really resonate with them.
5. Hold Rehearsals
Don’t let anyone be on your intervention team without first having them pitch you on exactly what they would say to the addict, how they would say it, and what their tone would be when they said it. If it’s conducive to success, keep it. If it’s not, get them to change it. If they are unwilling or are not desirous of changing it, then they don’t need to be on the team.
6. Stick to the Script
No matter what you do, try not to improvise during the intervention. Sometimes this is necessary based off what the addict might do and whatever curve balls they might throw. But as much as you can try to stick to the script. After all, you and your team put together a very stringent and well thought out plan for a reason, not to just throw it all out the window at the first sign of trouble.
7. Use Open, Warm Body Language
Do not go for the old, outdated, super strict and authoritative approach. That almost never works any more. Instead, be warm, caring, and compassionate. These techniques are far more effective for anyone who is addicted, young and old alike. This approach is more workable and more successful for those who struggle with drug and alcohol addiction because this is the exact kind of care that they need to really work through their problems and come out the other side winning.
8. Keep Tempers Under Control
Anger, antagonism, confrontation, rage, fury, grief, misery, apathy, fear, none of these emotions has any place in an addiction intervention. Though the impulse to express these emotions might come up, they will not get you anywhere. Make sure that both you and all of your intervention team members will be able to control your emotions and keep a handle on them. Make sure that, no matter what, you and you team members can and will survive and survive well through the intervention without going off like a loose cannon.
9. Develop a Backup Plan
If a second intervention does not work, then there is nothing wrong with trying a third time. There’s nothing wrong with trying a fourth time. There is nothing wrong with trying a fifth time. In fact, this is the life of your family member or loved one we are talking about here. It is commonly advised that until they come around you are well within your rights to continue to push and push and push and push and intervene and intervene until they give in and until they agree that they need to go to a drug and alcohol addiction rehab.
10. Don’t Give Up
Never give up. Always continue to try to help them. Again, there is a life at stake here. In the end, if you give up you will always regret it. If you keep persisting, as hard as it might be now, you will be successful in the long run and you will emerge victorious.
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