How To Stage An Intervention For A Loved One Dealing With Substance Abuse

People become addicted to a number of different substances for various reasons, and many are in complete denial. Unfortunately, when a loved one is addicted to drugs or alcohol but hasn’t accepted it, the repercussions can be devastating for them and others. To open an addict’s eyes, interventions have been proven to be effective with an 80-90% success rate.

Location Counts

When you stage an intervention, your loved one may feel overwhelmed or personally attacked, which is why you need to choose a suitable setting. Ideally, an intervention will be held in a place they feel comfortable, including a family member’s home – or their own home. By holding the intervention in a meaningful location, you’re much more likely to prevent them from running away or lashing out.

Choosing Words & Preparation

You will have a lot to say at the intervention, but you need to make sure the words come out correctly. Therefore, you should plan out exactly what you want to say. The aim is to pull at emotional strings without scaring them away. If they do run, you need to let it happen – dragging them back won’t solve anything.

In some cases, loved ones choose to deliver a series of ultimatums. Every single person present should have at least one ready that’s designed to encourage recovery. For example, you could prevent them from seeing their children if they don’t seek integrated care for substance abuse treatment in Kentucky.

Picking People

Before the intervention, you need to voice concerns to the people closest to your loved one. In most cases, they will have recognized the same signs of addiction. Unfortunately, you may come across people that don’t want to get involved with the intervention, but it’s important that you convince every member of the inner circle to attend.

When an intervention comes from an addict’s nearest and dearest, the opinions and views are much more likely to hit home. You need to be strict with your intervention guest list, as even one wrong choice could have negative consequences.

It Can Go Two Ways

If your loved one is responding well to the intervention, you need to know what course of action to take. The first thing you need to do is listen to everything they have to say, but that doesn’t mean you need to agree with it all. For example, if they tell you their addiction is under control, calmly let them know what you’re seeing. Eventually, the words they say will make no sense to them, making way for your point of view to be heard.

If you’re met with violence or other unacceptable behavior, you’ll need to go back to the drawing board and try again. When everything goes wrong, it’s important that any ultimatums are actioned – your loved one needs to understand that you’re serious.

Staging an intervention can be challenging and may not go the way you want. If you remain calm, say your piece, and follow through on ultimatums, you’re likely to see positive results.