Drug Intervention

Watching a loved one who is caught up in a drug addiction is very hard. Most people want to help their loved one, but they often do so in a way that supports the addiction and doesn't help the addict get better. When people are ready to get their loved one the help they need, a drug intervention is often the only answer.

What Is A Drug Intervention?

When friends and family members realize that recovery is the only way for an addict to get better and reach a better future, an intervention is planned. The intervention itself is not a cure, but it is a way to help an addict start moving towards a cure and stop digging themselves deeper into their addiction.

The intent behind the intervention is to help the addict realize that they need help with their addiction and agree to seek help that has already been put into place. If the addict agrees to receiving help, then recovery should begin immediately after the intervention to prevent a change of mind from occurring.

It is important to note that the drug intervention does not have to contain a lot of people. One person who cares about the addict, and has a strong desire to see them get better, can achieve a successful drug intervention just as well as a large group of people.

How To Increase The Chances Of Success

If the intervention is not done in a controlled environment with well thought out steps, it can easily have a negative effect on everyone and end very badly. In this case, the addict may leave the intervention feeling alone and completely misunderstood, and the situation for both the addict and the family and friends could become much worse than before the intervention.

The most important aspect of a successful drug intervention is to use a drug interventionist who has an understanding of what works and what doesn't at an intervention. They will be able to organize the process, answer any questions that arise, and lead the intervention through any rough patches that occur. An experienced interventionist can be found by contacting a drug treatment facility.

Because an intervention is planned for a specific time and place, it is important that the addict does not know they are going to an intervention or they are likely to disappear for a period of time. Telling the addict that they are going to receive money, go to a party, or meet up with loved one for a visit are all good excuses to get them to the intervention.

As soon as the addict walks into the intervention they should be informed about what is going on to avoid panic and a flight response. If they run before an explanation can take place, then someone from the intervention should be prepared to follow them and try to convince them to partake in the intervention. Pressure should not be put on the addict to commit to recovery, because pressure combined with the stress of losing their addiction may be too much for them to deal with, and that may increase the chance that they will not agree to come back to the intervention.

Often during an intervention an addict will say what they think people want to hear to get out of the intervention and get back to their addiction. This is a learned behavior that they have picked up through their addiction and has proved successful to get them out of receiving help before. For instance they may say, "I will get help tomorrow" or "I can stop by myself and do not need a recovery program." This is where family and friends need to stick to the drug intervention plan and ensure that recovery is the only answer.

A bottom line is often drawn during a drug intervention where family and friends will no longer offer any kind of support to the user if they do not agree to the recommended treatment. This helps the addict understand that they are not going to be able to say what they think people want to hear and escape the treatment, and often addicts will be much more likely to agree at this stage when they know they will lose the only support they do have.

In the end, the drug intervention will be an emotional time for the addict as well as their friends and family, but it is the best way to stop the addiction and help the addict live a more rewarding life.