Millions of Americans every year face the issue of addiction. This problem costs the United States roughly $600 billion a year. While millions suffer from addiction only a small fraction actually receives proper treatment for their addictions. Treating addiction is a very difficult task that requires the complete focus of the recovering addict, treatment center, and the addict’s family. Getting an addict to accept treatment can be just as hard as treatment, if not harder. Drugs and alcohol addiction completely transforms the individual. Many friends, co-workers, and family members are unable to recognize the individual they see before them because the addiction causes so much damage. The life surrounding an addict is in constant chaos, so getting them to come to terms with their problem can be considerably difficult. Hosting an intervention is a great way to get an addict to see and understand their addiction, as well as let them know the damage they are causing those around them. Here are several steps that families and friends should take to hold successful drug interventions.
Talk
The first step to hosting a successful drug intervention is speaking with all of the family, friends, and co-workers that surround the addict. It is essential that they all understand the situation. Many individuals surrounding the addict’s life are not aware of the situation and contribute in one way or another to the continued drug abuse. When everyone is aware of the issue they can begin to help by stopping any and all enabling. These individuals should discuss the problem, what they can do to help, and what they expect as an outcome of the intervention. Those individuals who are mature enough to be a part of the intervention are welcomed to join in and schedule is set.
Professional Help
The second step to hosting a successful intervention is to speak with a professional interventionalist. These individuals can fine tune any issue that they family is having with the intervention. They can provide priceless information and details on how to host the intervention. A schedule should be discussed and put into place. All those that are incorporated in the intervention will be asked to participate in a practice run of the intervention, so that it goes smoothly when it is meant to count. Everyone is given a time frame of when they are going to speak, how long they are allowed to speak, and what they are allowed to say. A professional interventionalist can offer their services to run the intervention or nominate the head to run the process.
Treatment Options
Families should discuss and research the treatment options that are available for the addict. They should know everything they can, so if the addict has any questions (which can be used as a stalling tactic) the family can keep the ball rolling. This is also important because the goal of the intervention should be to take the addict to treatment right away. In some cases the addict has a small window of opportunity to accept treatment.
Choose a Private Location
The family should choose a private location for the intervention. The addict should feel comfortable here and there should be little to no chance of interruption. This process is a very delicate one, which can be disrupted and doomed to failure if the addict has an ‘out’.
Calmly Speak
During the intervention everyone that speaks should do so in a calm and helpful manor. The addict should feel that they are being cared for by their family, not attacked by comments, questions, or accusations. Family and friends are there to help and be supportive of their recovery. By showing that you love and care for the addict they are going to be more willing to accept treatment.
Take to Treatment
The intervention should culminate with a family member taking the addict to a rehab facility. The individual should know and understand the options that are available to him/her and that the family is there for support if they need it. The family should also set boundaries which will not allow the addict to continue their addictive behavior. The goal of an intervention is to get an addict to understand the damage they are causing and accept that they have a problem. They should accept treatment and be transported to an addiction treatment center.
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