When a person is using drugs or alcohol it disrupts not only their lives but also the lives of those around them, especially family members. At AToN Center we sympathize with family members and friends of someone who becomes addicted to substances and provide resources to help support them while a loved one seeks recovery. If you know someone who uses substances and may be addicted, getting them professional help can save their life.
It’s not an easy topic to bring up and individuals who are misusing drugs or alcohol may not realize or be able to admit they have a problem. An intervention is a tactful way to approach this subject and encourage your loved one to seek help for addiction. Our luxury drug and alcohol rehab in San Diego provides addiction treatment as well as tools to achieve long-lasting recovery for those with substance use disorder and their family members.
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What is an Intervention?
An intervention for addiction is a carefully planned and structured meeting involving family, friends, and loved ones of an individual struggling with addiction. The primary goal of an intervention is to confront the person with the impact of their addiction on themselves and those around them and to motivate them to seek treatment. The intervention is typically led by a professional interventionist who guides the process and ensures that it remains focused and productive.
During the intervention, participants share their concerns, emotions, and specific examples of how the person’s addiction has affected them. They express their love, support, and desire for the individual to seek help. The interventionist helps facilitate communication, keeps the conversation respectful and constructive, and presents treatment options and a clear plan for seeking help.
The purpose of an intervention is to break through the individual’s denial, resistance, or doubt toward treatment and encourage them to understand that they need and can get help. The hope is that the person will recognize the severity of their addiction and agree to enter an addiction treatment program immediately.
Interventions can be highly effective in encouraging individuals to acknowledge their addiction and take the first step toward recovery. However, it’s important to involve a professional interventionist who is experienced in the process to ensure that it is conducted safely, compassionately, and with the best chance of success.
Do Interventions Work?
Interventions have been shown to be effective in many cases, but their success can vary depending on individual circumstances and factors. While interventions can be successful in encouraging a loved one to seek treatment, interventions may not always yield immediate results. Addiction is a complex and individualized condition, and some individuals may require further persuasion or additional time to accept help. Nonetheless, interventions provide an opportunity for loved ones to express their concerns, support, and desire for the individual’s well-being, potentially leading to positive change and eventual recovery.
Here are some key points to consider regarding the effectiveness of interventions:
How to Stage an Intervention
Staging an intervention for someone struggling with drug and alcohol addiction is a delicate and challenging process. It requires careful planning, communication, and consideration of the individual’s well-being. Here’s a step-by-step guide to staging an intervention:
Tips for Staging a Successful Intervention
Staging an intervention for a friend or family member can be difficult and emotional. Here are tips for staging a successful intervention:
Avoid enabling: Do not enable the individual’s addiction by providing money, shelter, or any means to continue harmful behavior. Make it clear that support will be available if they choose to seek treatment.
Be prepared for reactions: The individual may react with anger, denial, or attempts to manipulate the situation. Stay focused on the message of love and concern and be prepared to handle different responses.
Follow through: If the individual agrees to seek treatment, be ready to take immediate action. Have transportation arrangements and treatment plans in place to help them get started right away.
Focus on love and support: The goal of the intervention is to show the individual that they are loved and supported. Avoid confrontational or accusatory language. Instead, use “I” statements to express feelings and observations.
Stay calm and respectful: Emotions might run high during the intervention, but it’s essential to remain calm and composed. Avoid anger, judgment, or shaming, as this could push the individual further away.
When to Stage an Intervention
A family may need to stage an intervention about addiction when a loved one’s substance use is escalating, leading to severe consequences in their life. A good sign of needing an intervention is when the person denies or becomes defensive about their substance use problem. Knowing other signs of drug and alcohol misuse can help determine when to stage an intervention. When someone has a substance use problem they may:
- Isolate themselves from family and friends
- Experience deteriorating physical and mental health due to substance use
- Have financial issues or legal troubles
- Struggle to maintain relationships
Often, an individiual cannot see the impact their drug or alcohol use has on their loved ones or themselves, making it essential for the family to intervene with empathy and professional guidance.
Treatment Options for Addiction
AToN Center treats drug and alcohol addiction with different modalities and customizes treatment for each individual case.
Detoxification: Our detoxification program in San Diego involves the supervised process of clearing the body of drugs or alcohol to manage withdrawal symptoms and achieve a drug-free or alcohol-free state, preparing the individual for further treatment.
Residential Treatment: Residential treatment provides 24/7 care and support in a structured environment, offering a range of therapies and activities to address the root causes of addiction and develop coping strategies for sustained recovery.
Addiction Therapy: Addiction therapy involves various evidence-based approaches such as Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT), and individual and group counseling to address emotional, psychological, and behavioral aspects of addiction.
Holistic Therapy: Holistic therapy takes a comprehensive approach that incorporates alternative practices like yoga, meditation, acupuncture, and mindfulness to promote healing of the mind, body, and spirit during the recovery process.
Aftercare and Relapse Prevention Planning: Aftercare involves ongoing support and assistance after completing a treatment program, helping individuals maintain sobriety through counseling, support groups, and personalized relapse prevention strategies.
If you or your loved one is struggling with addiction, we can help! Call AToN Center today to learn more about our programs and how we help individuals and their families recover.
