Brief Interventions

Brief interventions are used to encourage addicts to alter their current behaviors. Here, the goal is pointing out the direct consequences of their dependency along with the effects they will likely experience in the event they choose to continue. Brief interventions can also be used to aid the addict in establishing various goals to help in their recovery. Some will include a written contract to help the addict stick to these changes.

Pre-Treatment Interventions

If a brief intervention fails to do the trick, a pre-treatment intervention is the next step. In a pre-treatment intervention, a professional interventionist is brought in to discuss the situation with close friends and family members of the addict. Once the interventionist has gathered enough information, they will attempt to speak with the addict with an end goal of addiction treatment. During this process, friends and family members are forced to look at their interactions with the addict, while making changes to help ensure a positive outcome. An interventionist may have to meet with an addict several times before treatment is accepted.

Traditional Interventions

Traditional interventions are very similar to pre-treatment interventions. The main difference is immediacy. As with a pre-treatment intervention, an interventionist is brought in to discuss the addict’s history, family dynamics and current status. Though, instead of a one-on-one meeting with an interventionist, a traditional intervention includes a group of close friends and family members. In this instance, the addict will be brought to a neutral location where friends and family members are gathered. Participants take turns reading letters to the addict outlining their love, concern and a request to accept help for their addictions. If there is any hesitation from the addict, each participant outlines a list of changes set to occur if help is refused. Once addicts are forced to deal with the magnitude of the situation, many are happy to seek help for their dependency.

Considerations

Whatever path you choose, making the decision to include a professional drug and alcohol intervention specialist will work to ensure the best possible outcome for both participants and addict alike. Stay positive, loving and keep pushing forward; Sunny days are always better after a good storm.

Step 1 – Do your research! As with any search, locating qualified intervention services takes time and effort.

-Hop online and look for local services

-Call up local treatment facilities for recommendations

-Get in touch with family physicians to see if they can point you in the right direction

Step 2 – Gather a small list of prospects and call each to discuss the situation. You’ll want to locate someone with experience addressing the type of addiction your loved one is dealing with.

Step 3 –Schedule a one-on-one meeting with your chosen interventionist to plan out the intervention. Bring a list of individuals whom you’d like to participate, and discuss the roles each person plays in the life of the addict. Your interventionist will be able to provide you with some guidance regarding who should be involved.

Discuss the addiction history and potential treatment plans. Most intervention services will be able to point clients in the direction of an appropriate recovery facility if one has yet to be chosen.

Step 4 – Schedule your pre-intervention. This meeting should involve each intervention participant, sans the individual in question. Here, the interventionist will be able to prepare each participant for the actual intervention, while answering any questions and addressing concerns. They will also be able to help participants in writing their intervention letter to the addict. Making certain everyone is on the same page is vital in ensuring the best possible outcome for the intervention.

Step 5 – During the actual intervention, your interventionist will act as the sole moderator and authority figure. Because this process is such an emotional experience, it’s not uncommon for tensions to run high. Having a professional in place to regulate the participants will help ensure a safe, loving and comfortable atmosphere for those involved.

Step 1 – Search for interventionists that are located in your area. A quick web search should be able to provide you with a number of options to consider. You can also call up local treatment centers to ask for a recommendation!

Step 2 – Narrow your initial list of candidates down to two and call them up to discuss the situation. Be sure to inquire as to their credentials, education, how they typically moderate the intervention and the cost involved. Also check to see whether you can obtain the numbers of past clients to speak to as references.

Step 3 – When calling references, make sure to ask whether they were satisfied with the performance and service of the interventionist along with the ultimate outcome of the experience. A first-hand account is a perfect way to help determine whether or not someone is a goof fit for your type of situation.

Step 4 – Choose the candidate whom you feel most comfortable with and schedule an in-person meet-up. Here, the interventionist will ask a series of questions to better assess the patient and situation overall. They will typically also provide instructions on how to plan the event, along with who should be involved.

Step 5 – A drug and alcohol intervention is never something you can simply hand over. Know that though you are hiring a professional to help with the process, you will be involved in every aspect of the planning. This includes calling and communicating with participants, scheduling the pre-intervention, and finding a suitable location. If it’s determined half way through the planning process that the interventionist is not the best fit, there’s no harm in rectifying the matter with someone else. A professional should know the importance of confidence and comfortability in these types of cases and respect your decision.

Enlist The Help Of A Professional – Individuals who have been affected negatively by the addict’s behaviors are typically confused and angry. By making the choice to include a skilled interventionist, you can rest assured that the event will be organized and moderated in a way that helps everyone, including the addict, feel more comfortable.

Educate Yourself – The more you know about the addiction, the better suited you will be to aid in the recovery process. Just as a mechanic requires the proper knowledge to complete an elaborate car engine repair; an intervention participant requires the awareness to address addiction. Then, with the aid of your interventionist, you can begin to look at potential treatment options.

Choose Your Party – Most family interventions involve only close friends and relatives who have a vested interest in the well-being of the individual in question. The involvement of participants should not be forced and discretion must be a high priority to all. If you have any unease about certain individuals, it’s best to discuss the situation with your intervention specialist.

Plan, Plan, Plan – Set aside a time and date to stage the intervention that works for each party member. The event should be held at a neutral location that is comfortable for both participants and addict alike. Homes and public places are not recommended as they can bring about distractions and ill feelings in the addict.

Pre-Intervention – Make a date to meet up with everyone prior to the intervention. Here, you can discuss the objective and treatment plans. Your interventionist will be able to answer any lingering questions the participants may have and help direct each individual with their intervention letter to the addict.

Have Your Treatment Plan Ready – If your loved one does choose to accept the help that is being offered, it is essential to get the ball rolling immediately to avoid any change of heart. A “yes” answer to treatment means hugs and a swift transport to treatment. Research various treatment facilities online to gain a better understanding of your available options. Many facilities specialize in specific areas of addiction to better help addicts through their initial recovery. As such, it’s important to locate a facility that caters to the type of addiction you’re dealing with.

The majority of successful interventions tend to follow a general pattern, regardless of the topic at hand (substance abuse or some other addiction type). Those looking to ensure the highest probability of success can choose to follow several vital steps, as outlined by a trained inverventionist while also planning the event well in advance.

1 – Get in touch with intervention services regarding the extent and nature of the issue prior to planning the intervention. In this way, you can be provided with the tools, tips and resources to best deal with the situation at hand. Make sure to locate a specialist who possesses an intricate understanding of the type of behaviors the subject is dealing with.

2 – Make contact with the individuals who will be present during the intervention. This group of people is generally made up or close friends and family members, but can also include religious or community leaders with a vested interest in the individual’s well being. When explaining the nature of the situation, make certain to stress the importance of each individual’s cooperation and discretion. You should also request they write statements to addict, to be read during the intervention. Statements should include various details regarding past and present interactions between reader and addict with a request to accept help. Any specific questions regarding the statement should be directed towards the interventionist prior to the intervention itself.

3 – Prepare your own statement with regard to how the addiction has affected the lives of both the addict and yourself. Be sure to stay positive within the letter, refraining from blame or judgment. An addict who is met with aggression will undoubtedly respond in the same manner. Though anger, resentment and blame are all understandable feelings, they will serve no purpose in this arena.

4 – Select an addiction recovery center that meets the needs of the individual in question. Some facilities specialize in drug use while others work with individuals involved in other destructive behaviors, such as eating disorders or self-mutilation. Religious, holistic and luxury facilities are all available options as well. Call ahead to let your chosen facility know when to expect your loved one’s arrival.

5 – Set aside a date when everyone can meet at a neutral location. In most cases, you’ll want your interventionist to direct the meeting.

6 – Don’t offer false promises. Failing to stick to your consequences will drastically lower the calculated success of the entire process. Family interventions without follow-through are wasted opportunities, which will ultimately do more harm than good.

Step 1 – Do your research. The more you know about alcoholism, the better prepared you will be to combat it. Hop online and check out web articles and blogs. Get in touch with treatment specialists and discuss the situation at hand to obtain a better understanding of the alcoholic’s condition. The more information of have on your side, the less room your loved one will have to turn to denial and excuses.

Step 2 – Look for local treatment center information, and obtain the help of an experienced intervention specialist to help you with the planning process. These professionals will be able to help you organize your intervention, while providing tips on how to approach the individual in question. They will act as both a moderator and authority figure during the meeting and pre-intervention, offering guidance, support and understanding to intervention participants. You may also consider getting in touch with a religious figure, such as a rabbi or priest.

Step 3 – Draw up a clear action plan. Treatment should begin directly following an acceptance of help, moving the alcoholic from the intervention to the treatment facility. Have a suitcase pre-packed and your travel arrangements made well in advance. This will help avoid any potential excuses the addict may come up with.

Step 4 – As for the intervention party, make sure to select only close friends, family members and religious leaders to participate. You want the alcoholic to feel as comfortable as possible during the intervention. Inviting someone who negatively contributes to the addiction or who lacks a vested interest in the addict’s recovery is never a good idea.

Step 5 – If possible, spring the intervention when the alcoholic is sober. Participants are encouraged to remain calm throughout the process, while communicating in a loving manner. Most intervention specialists will request that participants pre-write letters to the addict to avoid getting off track. Participants will take turns reading the letters aloud before requesting that the alcoholic accept the help that is being offered.

Step 6 – Stay positive!  Regardless of the outcome, and intervention is always a catalyst for change. Breathe, cry, laugh, love and hope for the best.

Directly following acceptance into treatment, the addict should be transported to their pre-determined treatment facility. Having a facility picked out well in advance removes the potential for reconsiderations and places the addict in the hands of individuals who can deal with and treat their emotions and feelings. If your facility is out of state, the addict will travel with your intervention specialist to ensure a safe arrival.

Once at the facility, an intake assessment will be performed, in which facility specialists obtain information regarding the addict’s medical substance abuse and psychological history and consumption habits. Alcohol and opiate addicts may be forced to enter a detox facility, where they can be medically monitored during the detoxification process before entering the treatment facility.

After the intake, physicians and psychiatrists will determine a treatment plan for the addict. This plan almost always involves a large amount of individual and group therapy with medications being prescribed on a case-by-case basis.

Most facilities encourage patients to keep in touch with friends and family members during recovery, but only after an initial separation period has been completed. In many cases, the family members themselves are also encouraged to enter addiction counseling to better cope with and understand the situation at hand.

The amount of time an addict will remain in treatment depends on a number of factors, including the type of facility, type of addiction, how responsive the addict is to treatment, and the wishes of the addict themselves. It is important to note that recovery is not a jail sentence, and can be stopped at any time. Once the addict has successfully completed treatment, they may be encouraged to move to sober living to ease them back into society. If an addict makes it out of the sober house without incident, they will then find themselves free to return home.

With the aid, love and support of friends and family, addicts are able to start enjoying a life they may have never thought possible. Individuals who have completed treatment are encouraged to continue attending AA meetings and associating with individuals in a sober and positive manner. Though a drug or alcohol intervention is a vital stepping-stone in the recovery of many addicts, the entire process is a life-long battle. Keep your eyes, mind and heart open… the good stuff is just around the corner.

An intervention program is a treatment method used by the mental health community, and utilized in a number of ways to better the situation of individuals who have become dependant on various substances or activities. Each intervention provides the subject with a collaborative treatment package, by which friends, family members and specialists are able to help the addict move towards a more fulfilling and happy life.

Types Of Interventions

There are a wide array of intervention programs; the most common of which is adduction-based. People with gambling, drug and alcohol or even food dependencies may benefit greatly from an intervention. Other common intervention programs include those with a focus on developmental disability treatment. Individuals who suffer from eating disorders such as anorexia and bulimia can also benefit from these type of programs.

Specifics

Intervention programs work to assist friends and family members of the addict in question with the planning and implementation of the intervention. An intervention specialist will be assigned to work with the intervention party members, acting as both a moderator and authority figure. These specialists will have a large sum of experience dealing with addiction, perhaps even personally, and will act as the sole mediator of the intervention. The intervention specialist will be provided with overview of the addict’s drug and family history to get each party member to cooperate and organize. Most specialists will request that participants write out letters to the addict, outlining their love, concern and hope that they accept help. The letters will then be read allowed before the group and addict during the actual intervention.

Benefits

One of the most effective aspects of an intervention approach is the collaborative effort of the addict’s friends and family members. By working together, a group of people committed to a goal will prove much more effective than one-on-one confrontations. Participants are encouraged to be supportive, loving and optimistic while showing their concern for the addict, something that may not come quite as easy without the support of a large group. As a result, the addict will either be forced to deal with their issues or potentially lose relationships, freedoms and support.

After

Once an addict has agreed to accept help, the journey towards recovery has only just begun. Individuals will typically be taken to a rehab facility where a treatment plan can be determined and their condition assessed.  With time, determination and the support of friends and family members, many individuals find their intervention experience to be the first step towards happiness, prosperity and a life once only imagined.

1. You’ll want to make certain that the individual in question in actually in need of an intervention. There are a variety of resources available online to help you determine the extent of the addiction at hand. Look for articles that outline the scientific effects of drugs on the human body and pay close attention to the individual in question to look for these signs. An intervention is a serious event and should not be used on individuals without serious dependency issues. If you have any doubts, discuss your situation with an experienced intervention specialist to help determine the best course of action.
2. Once you’ve determined that an intervention is the best way to go, get in touch with close friends and family members of the addict to find out who is interested in getting involved. Make sure to inform those you contact that the intervention is to be kept secret from the addict. If the individual in question happens to learn of your plans, it can drastically alter the outcome.
3. If you haven’t done so by this point, contact a certified intervention specialist to help you plan and stage the intervention. These individuals can be found through a quick web search, by asking your general physician or therapist, or via the Yellow Pages. These individuals act as moderators and authority figures at the pre and actual interventions.
4. Determine a good place and time for everyone in the group to meet up. The environment should be somewhere neutral, calm and private, such as a hotel conference room. The sooner you can get the intervention rolling, the better the chances are for a positive outcome.
5. Make sure to emphasize the importance of remaining calm to your group members. An addict who is presented with a hostile environment will only respond with hostility. Be firm, collected and loving above all. Though emotions can run high during these meetings, it should be a comfort knowing that a positive change is headed your way, regardless of the outcome. Breathe, smile, cry, and communicate.
6. Consider counseling. Whether the individual in question decides to pursue recovery, most individual’s involved in the intervention will be able to benefit from addiction counseling themselves. In this way, not only will you be able to understand your loved one’s behaviors, but perhaps also be able to address your feelings toward them.

Here’s why:

Just as with any other gathering, a family intervention can benefit exponentially from the guidance and organization of a trusted leader. An intervention specialist is able to fill this role in a manner which is both displaced directly from the subject while authoritative in nature, adding a new spin to the conversation taking place.

As the very nature of an intervention typically takes the addict by surprise, it’s imperative to retain a sense of control in a situation that may become potentially hostile and negative. Not only will a specialist have the necessary training to regulate the intervention, but they will have the experience and knowledge needed to communicate positively with each party member, including the addict for whom the intervention has been planned.

Once the decision has been made to accept the aid of an intervention specialist, the potential for a successful outcome skyrockets. Rather than stepping on everyone’s toes each and every step of the way, planners will find the intervention to be intricately planned, organized and implemented by someone with an outside perspective, resulting in a mood and atmosphere that is calm, collected, loving and strong.

A qualified intervention specialist will be able to look deeper into the family dynamic, offering advice, tips and insight to those involved in the intervention process. In this fashion, participants will be afforded the opportunity to gain a different perspective of their own actions, and how they might be able to alter these actions towards the greater good of the addict’s life as well as their own.

And let’s face it; an intervention is stressful enough without having to worry about regulating the process. Those who are already overly involved in the current situation will find it very difficult to devote the proper amount of time, energy and effort to an intervention without compromising the potential outcome.  Give yourself a little room to breathe and hand the reigns over to someone who can streamline the event into something that is both positive and beneficial for everyone involved. The potential rewards are well worth the sacrifice.