Millions of American families suffer from addiction every year. Unfortunately, only a small percentage of those families seek the help they need to overcome this issue. Addiction is an incredibly complex issue that affects the mind, body and emotions of an individual. The chemicals change the way the body and brain function in a way that can also change behavior. New studies have been able to unlock some of the endless mysteries of addiction, which helps us better understand how to treat the problem. The first step towards a drug free and healthy life is to confront the situation. Addicts cannot have others accept and participate in treatment for them. They must recognize the problem, agree to do something and then participate in rehabilitation. Confronting the problem can be difficult for family and friends. The best way to get an addict to accept treatment is to hold an intervention. There are a number of different interventions that families can use to confront an addict. There are also a number of different factors that must go into when planning an intervention. The first is choosing where to host the intervention. Here are three tips for choosing an intervention location.
Choosing a Venue for an Intervention
The location of an intervention can have a significant impact on the success of the intervention. Families should avoid public places. They should use places that the addict feels comfortable in and is private. Many families will choose public locations because they believe the addict will be less inclined to have an outburst. More often than not, it will not matter where the addict is he/she will allow their emotions to take over. It is best to avoid public places and choose a private location. The discussion during an intervention is very private, therefore families should choose a parents, the addicts or a family members home. Wherever the intervention is to be held, those involved should be the only ones there. Anyone who is not part of the intervention could disrupt the process.
If the style of intervention is to surprise the addict, then it should not be held in a place they are unlikely to go. Addicts might seem like they are not completely there and therefore easy to fool, but that is false. Addicts are masters of manipulation and paranoia. They will sense an intervention if it seems that way. Instead families and friends should choose a place that the addict is familiar with and less inclined to anticipate an intervention. The locations should be easily accessible for the addict and everyone else involved in the intervention.
The location should be comforting for all those involved, especially the addict. Hosts of the intervention should choose a location that does not have a negative association. If an addict views a home or location with a negative image or time in their lives they will be less inclined to accept the help being provide. They could also become irrationally emotional and even violent. The intervention will be difficult to hold is the addict already has their gaurd up or is hostile due to the memories associated with a specific location. Most importantly the location should be a place where the addict feels the most safe and comfortable.
Getting Help
Getting an addicted loved one help is the most important goal. Interventions should end with the addict being escorted to a treatment center, but if that is not impossible the family must set rules. Families must be willing to enforce a ‘tough love’ approach in dealing with the addict. They cannot allow themselves to enable the addict by supporting their addiction in anyway.
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