Sponsored
Watching a loved one struggle with addiction can be a painful experience. You want to help ease their suffering so badly but you may not be sure what to do. If you’re concerned about your loved one’s substance use then you may want to consider having a structured conversation or facilitated discussion with them about their addiction and need for treatment. This is often referred to as staging a drug or alcohol intervention.
An intervention is an organized meeting where you express your concerns about your loved one’s substance use and ask them to seek treatment.
Understanding Addiction and Interventions
Addiction is a chronic and relapsing brain disease characterized by compulsive substance use that’s difficult to control or stop despite unwanted consequences. Drugs and alcohol impact the brain’s reward and pleasure center and produce euphoria or a “high.” Over time, a person may develop tolerance and need more of the drug to achieve the same effect.
This can also impair a person’s ability to feel pleasure from normal activities which can reinforce substance use.
Substance use can cause many changes in the brain over the long term. And these changes may impair judgment and memory. They may also impact your ability to learn or to make sound decisions. Addiction is fortunately treatable and can be managed with proper treatment and support.
The Purpose of an Intervention
If your loved one is currently struggling with substance abuse then you may need to schedule a drug or alcohol intervention. Many individuals struggling with addiction need an intervention to help them recognize the severity of their substance abuse and how it’s impacting their lives as well as the lives of those around them.
Steps Involved in Staging an Intervention
If your loved one requires an alcohol or drug intervention then it’s important to carefully plan the intervention to maximize success. Interventions for drug and alcohol abuse require proper consideration and preparation.
Below is a list of steps to follow to help you stage an intervention for alcoholism or drug abuse.
Assemble Your Intervention Team
The first step to staging a successful alcohol or drug abuse intervention is to assemble your intervention team. Put together a group of your loved one’s family members and close friends who can provide support and guidance. You may also wish to call in an alcohol or drug intervention specialist who can help you conduct the intervention.
Remember that the goal of the intervention is to get your loved one into addiction treatment. Choose an intervention team that will be most supportive of that goal.
Select a Location
The next step in planning an intervention for alcoholism or drug abuse is to choose your intervention location. It’s important to choose a place where your loved one will feel comfortable and be most receptive to your intervention.
Drug addiction and alcoholism interventions can be emotional experiences. It may be best to avoid public places where your loved one may feel embarrassed or put on the spot.
It’s also important to remember that your loved one may have a desire to flee and leave the intervention if they feel cornered. Choose a safe and comfortable environment where they are most likely to stay and listen to your concerns.
Choose a Date and Time for Staging an Intervention
You’ll need to choose a date and time for your drug or alcoholism intervention. Consider your loved one’s typical schedule and routine.
Select a time when they are most likely to be available and engaged in the intervention without being distracted, preoccupied or under the influence of substances. Be sure to choose a date in advance so you have ample time to plan your drug or alcohol intervention properly.
Plan Your Alcohol or Drug Intervention: Decide in Advance What You Want to Say
It is important to go into an intervention for alcoholism or drug abuse feeling prepared. Interventions can be emotional, heated events. It is easy to get caught in the heat of the moment and forget what you want to say.
Plan the intervention in advance with your intervention team. Consider writing out letters explaining to your loved one your concerns about their addiction and how it has impacted your life.
Get Specific on Boundaries, Consequences or Ultimatums
It’s helpful to go into the experience with clear boundaries and consequences for your loved one when you stage an alcohol or drug abuse intervention. You’ll need to determine ahead of time what the consequences will be if your loved one chooses not to enter treatment.
You must be prepared to express these consequences clearly to your loved one during the intervention and to enforce those consequences if the intervention does not succeed.
You may have a list of behaviors that you will no longer tolerate as well as ways that you will no longer support your loved one if they continue to use drugs or alcohol. For example these boundaries might be no longer allowing your loved one to borrow money or live with you if they refuse treatment.
Have Treatment Options Lined Up
Go into the alcohol or drug intervention with a list of treatment options ready to go. Assume that your loved one will start addiction treatment that day. You may want to call ahead and see which treatment centers have openings available. Be ready to present treatment options to your loved one and encourage them to go into treatment immediately.
Host Your Intervention
Once you have properly planned your intervention then you are ready to conduct it. It is important to remain calm, communicate effectively and stick to your plan as much as possible to help ensure the intervention goes smoothly.
Be prepared to both speak and listen. Listen to your loved one with empathy and compassion and be prepared for possible resistance.
Helpful Tips on Staging an Intervention
Conducting a drug or alcoholic intervention can be challenging for any loved one. Below are some helpful tips for staging an intervention and increasing your chance of success.
Seek Professional Help
Consider hiring a drug or alcohol intervention specialist to help you plan and conduct the intervention. You can also attend drug intervention programs that may help you prepare and stage your intervention.
List the Impacts of Your Loved One’s Addiction
Get specific on the negative consequences of their drug or alcohol abuse. Sometimes just hearing it out loud can be enough for your loved one to recognize the gravity of their problem and decide to seek help.
Rehearse the Intervention in Advance
Interventions for alcoholism and drug abuse can be emotional so it is best to rehearse in advance what you wish to say. Rehearsing and practicing the intervention with the intervention team can help you all stay on track and conduct the intervention as planned.
Have a Plan to Get Your Loved One to the Intervention
You don’t have to tell your loved one what you plan to do. Come up with a reason why you are inviting them to the intervention location. You can approach them with your concerns once they arrive.
Be Prepared to Enforce Your Boundaries and Consequences
If you give your loved one an ultimatum then it is important to stick to it. Be compassionate but stay firm in your boundaries. If you don’t follow through then you are only enabling your loved one to continue to use drugs or alcohol.
Involve Your Loved One in the Decision-Making Progress
Remember that the intervention is for your loved one. You are hosting the intervention to help them regain control of their lives. It can be helpful to involve them in the decision making process. Let your loved one have a voice in their recovery. Give them a variety of treatment options and ask them what would be most helpful for them.
How Do I Know if Someone Has an Addiction?
Some signs and symptoms that your loved one may have a drug or alcohol addiction include:
- Needing to use a substance regularly just to feel normal
- Continuing to use despite harmful effects or consequences
- Taking larger amounts of drugs or alcohol to achieve the same initial high
- Experiencing intense urges or cravings for a substance that block out other thoughts
- Spending excessive money on drugs or alcohol even if they can’t afford it
- Failing to maintain responsibilities at home, work or school because of substance use
- Engaging in risky behaviors while under the influence or to obtain drugs or alcohol
- Spending a significant amount of time to obtain the substance, use the substance or recover from the substance
- Acting in ways that are out of character such as lying or stealing to obtain drugs
- Frequent changes in mood, eating or sleep habits
- Changes in friendships or peer groups
- Failing to quit or decrease use despite harmful consequences
- Experiencing withdrawal symptoms when they try to quit
Where Can I Find Information About Substance Abuse Treatment?
There are many national, state and local resources for individuals struggling with substance abuse. Let’s take a look at some of the top ones.
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA)
SAMHSA offers a free and, confidential hotline that you can access any time of day or night to find treatment information and referral services. You can also search for treatment options using their online treatment directory.
Rehabs.org
Rehabs.org offers a comprehensive online treatment directory as well educational resources and a hotline you can call for information about services in your area.
Local Support Groups
Narcotics Anonymous and Alcoholics Anonymous are 12 step support groups with locations across the country. You can use the online directory to find a meeting near you.
Healthcare Providers
You can also check with your doctor or mental health professional about addiction treatment and support group options in your local area.
What Are the Treatment Options for Drug or Alcohol Addiction?
There are a variety of treatment options available to those with drug or alcohol addiction.
Detox Services
The first line of addiction treatment is often detox. There are many detox programs available at both addiction treatment centers and hospitals. Medically assisted detox can help minimize withdrawal symptoms and help people be more comfortable as they move through the detox process.
Inpatient Rehab
Inpatient rehab takes place in a residential treatment facility. Patients attending inpatient rehab will reside in the facility around the clock for a designated amount of time. The duration usually ranges from 30 to 90 days but treatment may last six months to a year or longer in cases of severe addiction.
Inpatient rehab is best suited for those with more severe addictions who can be away from their responsibilities at home and work for a long duration of time. Inpatient treatment helps people get away from the stressors of the outside world that may make them more likely to relapse and start using drugs or alcohol again.
Inpatient rehab typically offers a variety of treatment modalities for patients including medically assisted detox, individual counseling, group therapy, 12 step programs and medication assisted treatment. Sometimes even alternative therapies such as yoga, meditation, acupuncture, massage or religious services.
Outpatient Rehab
Outpatient rehab is similar to inpatient rehab but the patient continues to reside at home throughout treatment. Outpatient treatment is best suited for those with less severe addictions who need to remain at home while in rehab. This is often a good option for parents who have children at home or people who need to remain involved in their responsibilities at school or work.
Outpatient rehab can vary in intensity and length depending on personal needs. Some people may attend intensive outpatient rehab where they have treatment every day for several hours, whereas other people may only attend outpatient rehab a couple of times per week.
Outpatient treatment typically consists of individual therapy, group therapy, physician appointments, medication assisted treatment and 12 step programs.
Aftercare
Aftercare is a crucial part of the treatment process. Addiction is a chronic disease. Maintaining aftercare following addiction treatment can help people prevent relapse and maintain their recovery in the long term.
Aftercare can vary depending on the person but typically includes some combination of individual counseling, support groups, 12 step programs or medication assisted treatment.
The Importance of Staging an Intervention
Staging a drug or alcohol intervention can be an intimidating process. Take your time planning the intervention and seek help from a professional drug interventionist if you need it. Prepare in advance what you wish to say and have treatment options available to discuss. It may be difficult to confront your loved one about their substance use but you could help change or even save their life by doing so.
