Millions of Americans every year struggle with substance abuse and addiction. Only a small percentage of that number actually gets the care they need to overcome this addiction. This small number is a result of a lack of treatment options, the chaos addiction causes and a glaring lack of knowledge regarding addiction. This lack of knowledge has contributed to the great disparity of what addiction is and what people perceive it to be. It is astonishing how many people see addiction in contrast to the actual issue. To better treat addiction society must play catch up and better understand this problem. A great majority of Americans get their information on this problem from the news and other visual representations. Popular television shows such as ‘Intervention’ paint addiction and the all that it entails into a certain dark and delinquent light. In truth, it is much more complex. Those suffering from addiction can attest the damage and despair it causes.
Confronting Addiction
The longer an addiction is allowed to persist, the worse it gets. Seems pretty simple. In most cases of substance abuse, the issue is not “allowed” to carry on, but rather slips by for several months or years. It can also continue to develop as the friends, co-workers, and families attempt to help the addict. Interventions are great ways to confront an addiction because confrontation is the best way to address this problem. Unfortunately, confrontation is not ideal for some. Not to worry because there are several different types of interventions to choose from. Knowing the different styles of intervention can help them choose the one that is right for them and their family.
Styles of Interventions
Arise Intervention
The Arise intervention is a flexible approach to an intervention. It focuses on the entire family as a whole by figuring out how the entire family, not just the addict, can help and play a role in getting help. One study found that 83% of recovering addicts were willing to enter treatment after being confronted by this model. Arise interventions are planned ahead of time, but they are not surprises. This model can be used multiple times and is also used to deliver information to the entire family.
Systemic Intervention
Systemic Interventions are ideal if violence or any other harm is possible. 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.
Love First Intervention
The love first intervention model is popular because it focuses on love, caring, and compassion towards the addict. Family and friends gather in a neutral setting to delivery heartfelt addresses to the addict. Loved ones begin by acknowledging the excuses the addict has or could use to forgo treatment. They will also offer options for the addict to enhance the possibility of the accepting treatment. The addict should understand the problems that will persist to become worse if they continue their substance abuse. Children are especially affected by addiction; therefore they should be part of the discussion. The whole process must remain calm. If anyone becomes overly emotional or hostile they must remove themselves or be removed. Finally, each participant of the intervention should provide a written letter to be read and given to the addict. This should describe their love for the addict, despair in watching them destroy their lives and fear of losing them completely.
For those who dislike confrontation, there are several non-confrontational methods of intervention at their disposal.
Leave a Reply