Intervention

Intervention is a process utilized when all other options have been exhausted in an attempt to help an individual overcome a serious problem such as drug or alcohol abuse/addiction. An intervention is a deliberate process by which change is introduced into peoples' thoughts, feelings and behaviors. It usually involves an intervention specialist as well several people preparing themselves, approaching a person involved in some self-destructive behavior, and talking to the person in a clear and respectful way about the behavior in question. The immediate objective is for the person to listen and accept help.

A drug or alcohol abuser usually does not know they are out of control. They look at their peers and their own drug or alcohol use appears normal in comparison. drug and alcohol abusers experience a lack of creativity, productivity, poor decisions, deteriorating relationships, and expensive mistakes. Far too often, alcoholics and drug addicts cannot make the right choice on their own to take action which will help them regain control of their lives. They need objective feedback on their behavior. Through a non-judgmental, non-critical, systematic process, intervention specialists help the drug or alcohol abuser confront the impact of their alcohol or drug abuse on themselves and others.

It is understandable that the decision to plan a drug or alcohol intervention for a friend or loved one can be painful. Many times there is an underlying deep fear. This may be a fear of confrontation, fear of rejection, and/or a fear that it won't work. Leaving loved ones with only more intensified feelings of hopelessness, anger, and frustration, while the addict continues their self-destructive actions. Intervention specialists can carefully plan an effective intervention. This can be the key component that helps the individual go from the downward spiral of drug addiction and on to the road of recovery. Keep in mind no matter what happens on intervention day, it will most certainly get the person's attention. If the person refuses to do what is requested, he/she nearly always changes for the better in some way, usually by accepting some form of help later: either later that same day, the next day, the next week, or the next month or two.

An Intervention specialist can help you in developing a plan of action suited to your individual circumstances. They can help your friend, coworker or loved one get their lives back in order and overcome drug or alcohol addiction. An effective Intervention will see that the addict receives the necessary treatment he/she needs and beyond.

It was once thought that alcohol and drug abusers had to "hit bottom" before help could be offered and accepted. If you are wait until the abusers hits "rock bottom" before you intervene, then you may be forced to watch them destroy their lives and deeply affect the lives of their families as well as others around them. It was also thought that an abuser could only get better if they were self-motivated to change. That is not always the case. Intervention can assist in the process of motivating the person to accept treatment for their drug or alcohol addiction.

The optimum time for an intervention is just after a major event, although it is important that the addict is sober at the time of the intervention. An example of such an event is if the person gets arrested, or when he/she has wronged (lied, stolen, cheated etc.) a person who has done these types of things will usually show emotions such as remorse or guilt. Another would be when a spouse is leaving them because of their addiction. Yet another would be after an overdose. Although you obviously don't want to risk the person's life by postponing forever, an intervention will be more effective after such events when the addict is down and feels like his/her life is in need of change.

STEPS OF INTERVENTION
1. Stop all "rescue missions." Family members often try to protect the individual from the results of his behavior by making excuses to others about his problem and by getting him out of jams. It is important to stop all such rescue attempts immediately, so that the person will fully experience the harmful effects of his actions thereby become more motivated to stop.
2. Don't enable him. Sometimes family members feel sorry for the person or tend to avoid the person, by letting him come and go as he pleases. This comes across to the person as a reward-after all, all he wants is to be left alone. Be careful not to reward by paying his bills, bailing him out of jail, letting him stay for free, etc. This kind of reward creates out exchange and criminal behavior.
3. Time your intervention. If possible, plan to talk with the person when he is straight, when all of you are in a calm frame of mind and when you can speak privately.
4. Be specific. Tell the person that you are concerned about his problems and want to be supportive in getting help. Back up your concern with examples of the ways in which his behavior has caused problems for you, including any recent incidents.
5. State the consequences. Tell the person that until he gets help, you will carry out consequences-not to punish the person, but to protect yourself from the harmful effects of his behavior. These may range from refusing to be with the person when they are under the influence of a drug or alcohol, to having them move out of the house if they persist. Do NOT make any threats you are not prepared to carry out. The basic intention is to make the person's life more uncomfortable if he continues the behavior than it would be for him to get help.
6. Find strength in numbers with the help of family members, relatives and friends to confront the person as a group but choose one person to be the initial spokesperson, an intervention counselor if possible should be present. It will be much more effective for the others to simply be there nodding their heads, than it would be for everyone to talk at once and "gang up on him." Remember the idea is to make it safe for him to come clean and seek help.
7. Listen. If during your intervention the person begins asking questions like; Where would I have to go? For how long? This is a sign that he is reaching for help. Do not directly answer these questions. Instead have him call in to talk to a professional. Support him. Don't wait. Once you've gotten his agreement, get him admitted immediately. Therefore, you should have a bag packed for him, any travel arrangements made and prior acceptance into treatment.