While it is true that a few people can recover from their addiction without any help, most cannot without help. With treatment and support from family and friends, these individuals can get the help they need to rebuild their lives and to overcome their addiction.
The goal of the intervention is to help the addicted individual accept the reality of their addiction to seek help. An intervention is a delicate matter that should be handled carefully. If it is done correctly, the addicted individual will not feel cornered and feel defensive.
The facts are clear. Alcoholics and addicts are a danger to themselves and to others. The addiction has to be stopped. Most people try telling their loved ones they need help with their addictions only to have their suggestions ignored by the addicted person. An intervention is the answer if other attempts have failed.
An intervention is normally conducted by a group of caring friends and family who confront the addict or alcoholic in an effort to help him see the danger in their addiction. Intervention has historically shown to be the most effective method in convincing an alcoholic or drug addict that they need help for his or her problem. It is a very powerful motivator is that person finally realizes how they are hurting the people they love.
Addiction is a Process
Learn about the process because addiction is all about excuses. You will need to remove all possible reasons for the addict or alcoholic to refuse help.
Stop Enabling and Rescuing
Family members and even friends try to protect the abuser from the consequences of their behavior. They may make excuses for the addict or alcoholic's problem. They may get them out of drug or alcohol related jams. It is important to immediately stop all rescue attempts because you are not protecting the abuser at all. Also, they will become more aware of the consequences of their actions.
Plan Ahead
Gather information about local treatment options and find one that will best suit the abuser. When you telephone the treatment center, ask to speak to an intervention counselor. Because of the delicate nature of an intervention, listen to the counselor's advice to minimize the negative effects on the alcoholic or addicted person and to those who are conducting the intervention. An experienced counselor can guide you on how best to approach the addict.
Make the Confrontation
Talk with the person about his or her addiction. Choose a time when that person is sober. Make sure everyone is in a calm frame of mind. It can be a surprise or planned. It can be conducted in the home or in a neutral area such as a restaurant or park.
Be Firm and Specific
Be prepared with specific examples of how the alcoholic or drug addicted person behavior has negatively effected you. State in no uncertain terms that you will no longer tolerate their actions.
Appoint a Spokesperson
One person should do most of the talking with the others who are present nodding their agreement but not talking. Everyone speaking at once will make the person seem overwhelmed and they will become defensive. Allow others to share their thoughts if they wish. Counsel them to be gentle in the statements, yet firm. This is not a time for name calling or airing grievances. The goal is to help the person overcome their addiction so there will be no more hurt as a result of the addiction in the future.
Say What You Really Feel
Interventions won't succeed if you are more worried about hurting the addicted person's feelings that you are about getting them help.
Make Consequences Clear
Make certain the addicted individual understands that you mean business and you will not tolerate their behavior any longer. Tell them that until they get help, you will enforce consequences. This is not to punish the addicted individual, but rather to protect yourself from the negative effects of the addicted person's actions. The consequences may range from being telling the addicted individual they have to go somewhere else to live if they don't agree to getting help or perhaps just refusing to be with that person when they are under the influence. Never make threats you cannot carry out.
A Ray of Sunshine
Let the addicted individual know that there is hope and there is help and that you will stand by them throughout the treatment process.
Be sure you listen to what the addicted person is saying. If they ask questions like, where do I have to go, or how long will I be gone, they are reaching out for help. Don't wait. Once you have his or her agreement, then act immediately. Have a plan of action ready and a bag packed for them. Make sure you have gotten any necessary prior acceptance to a drug rehabilitation program before the intervention, otherwise precious time may be wasted in getting pre-admittance established and the person could change their mind.
Once an addicted person enters a treatment program, their chances for a complete recovery is very high. The Farley Center and Williamsburg Place provides affordable, individualized care in a relaxing residential atmosphere. Respected nationally by the healthcare community, twenty five percent of patients are referred by noted physicians. Unlike most centers, The Farley Center and Williamsburg Places offers full time, on-site physicians whose patient roster is small, allowing for effective, one-on-one care and commitment to healing body and spirit. For more than 15 years they have assisted thousands of good people who simply wish to get well.
Karen Vertigan Pope writes for Ciniva Systems, an award winning Virginia web design company. Ciniva specializes in web design and SEO. Ms. Vertigan Pope is an SEO Specialist with Ciniva. Ciniva Systems is in charge of SEO for the Farley Center and Williamsburg Place.
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