Sometimes it becomes necessary to stage an intervention for a loved one to encourage them to join an addiction treatment facility to get help for their addiction. This is a guide along with 8 tips on how to stage a successful intervention.
An intervention, which is usually set up by family and friends, is often supervised by an intervention specialist and could be a life-saving conversation for somebody who is struggling with addiction.
Staged Interventions allow loved ones to express their feelings constructively and address the actions that affected them. The mission is to help the individual struggling with addiction to recognize he needs help and gets into an addiction recovery rehab center. Your goal is to help them realize they do have a problem, they need help, and you are there to support them through the process.
What is an Intervention?
A staged intervention is a carefully planned conversation with family and friends to an addict who is struggling. It is crucial to stay on target with a plan to not speak angrily, sad, or hurtful while engaging with the individual because this may have reverse effects, which will lead them to refuse your help. The intervention should be a very positive and helpful conversation.
Although it is essential to educate the addict of their condition and what it does to your emotional health, you must not blame them. Try the approach that it’s not their fault, but the drug that has changed their behavior and that you are there to offer a solution being detox and professional treatment in a rehabilitation program.
Different Types of Interventions
Staged Interventions can be done in many different ways. Each professional interventionist has their preferred style they will use during an intervention including:
- Crisis intervention: This will involve police officers at the crisis intervention offering their social and medical resources to the addict or person suffering from a mental health disorder.
- Brief Intervention: This will be a short one-on-one type of intervention with only the addict and a counselor or a medical professional. These interventions are typically in hospitals, usually, after the person has overdosed. You can ask a professional interventionist, therapist, or medical professional to perform a brief intervention.
- The Johnson Model: The Johnson model is the most frequently used form of intervention for individuals struggling with abuse. It is designed to motivate the individual who is struggling with addiction to enter a rehab program. This is carried out by a team of caregivers who will show the individual that they are surrounded by people who will get them better and support them throughout their treatment.
- ARISE: This is a newer form of intervention that will involve the whole family and be less confrontational but still using many techniques of the Johnson Model. The goal of an ARISE intervention is to encourage the individual to go to a rehab center.
- SMART: This form of intervention will require assistance from the community to help with the intervention, with the point being clear and setting goals for them during the intervention. SMART means specific, measurable, attainable, relevant, and times specified.
- Family Systemic Intervention: This technique will focus on the individual struggling with addiction and also their family. Many relationships are affected by substance abuse, which can impact parents, spouses, children, and other family and friends. This intervention encourages the whole family to seek therapy individually and also commit to group family therapy.
How to Stage an Intervention
The most crucial step in staging an intervention would be to contact an intervention specialist. They will be the ones to keep communication between all parties moving. An intervention specialist helps individuals break their cycle of denial and is an essential part of staging a successful intervention. Confronting the individual without a professional may scare them off and refuse treatment.
Once you have enlisted the help of an intervention specialist, they will create an intervention strategy specific to the individual’s needs. The specialist will work with all parties, assisting them with the most encouraging delivery to convince the individual to go to rehab. Some of the most influential in convincing an individual to check into rehab may be parents, siblings, a spouse, or close friends.
From there, the intervention specialist will educate the friends and family members involved about addiction and recovery. By giving them knowledge, this will help them provide the insights and importance of convincing somebody they need help. The participating parties will have to rehearse and prepare for the intervention with the intervention specialist until the delivery is right.
Steps Involved in an Intervention
While staging an intervention, these are some important steps that can guide you through the process.
- Get help. This will involve contacting a professional interventionist, doctor, friend, or family member about conducting an intervention for a loved one’s addiction.
- Form the intervention team. This will be a very close group of family and friends who will come together to organize the direction of the intervention.
- Make a plan. This will be an outline of how the intervention process will work and what everybody will say. You will schedule a specific day, time, location, and the guest list.
- Gather information. Educate yourself on substance abuse, addiction, and the recovery process. Have a specific detox rehab facility picked out that will meet the individual’s addiction needs.
- Write impact statements. Everybody who attends the intervention should speak about the individual’s addiction struggles. These should be personal stories about their experiences and how the individual addicted has harmed them.
- Offer help. Encourage your support for the individual while they go through the detox, rehab, and long-term recovery stages. Offer rights to treatment or to attend a family therapy session to support them.
- Set boundaries. You may have to be persistent and firm. If they refuse treatment, be clear, the consequences will occur if they refuse help.
- Rehearse. Rehearse the intervention with everybody involved to ensure you stay on track with the pace of who speaks when and what exactly everybody says.
- Manage expectations. There’s always the chance that an individual refuses help for a variety of different reasons. Stay persistent and on course until they leave.
- Follow up. Whether they accept help or not, it is crucial to uphold the statements made during the intervention. Remind them you’re there to help them and not hurt them.
Tips for a Successful Intervention
Staged Interventions will be successful when precisely planned and implemented correctly. If the intervention is structured, especially with the help of a professional, you will have a 90% chance of convincing them to get the help they need. For a successful intervention that will encourage the user to check into rehab, always remember:
- The intervention is about the individual needing help to overcome substance abuse and not about anyone else. It’s not the place to vent about adverse history.
- Interventions are about showing love to the individual and educating them on consequences and help. They are not conducted for lashing out, embarrassing, or abusing the individual who is struggling with addiction.
- Intervention professionals can always help in many confrontations situations. They may be called in if a loved one is too emotionally involved to part from the person who’s abusing.
An individual struggling with substance abuse may be in denial about the harm and consequences they are causing. Still, an intervention can help them to understand what their drug-using behaviors have done to your relationship. During the intervention, make sure they know they’ll have your support during their detox and rehab stay, they are very likely to agree to treatments.
When to Intervene for a Loved One
Confronting a loved one about addiction will be tough, but it becomes necessary at times. Although friends and family do mean well, they might not have the most constructive delivery during these staged interventions. The individual intended for the intervention may also deny they have a drug or alcohol problem, which will make conversations difficult.
A few signs that someone is struggling with addiction might include:
- Secret behavior
- Borrowing money
- Aggressive behavior
- Physically deteriorating
- Low energy or motivation
- issues at school or work
- Health problems
Individuals with addiction will also struggle with other problems like depression and eating disorders. Be aware of the signs of an individual struggling and know the steps to intervene.
Things to Avoid During an Intervention
Even when feeling well-rehearsed, it is important to avoid these certain points during the staged intervention, which include:
- Labels: Calling somebody an alcoholic, addict, or a junkie can be accusatory. Choose more neutral terms and avoid defining the individual by their addiction.
- Too many people: Keep a small number of people by only inviting the core group of closest friends and family.
- Angry during the intervention: Concentrate on keeping your personal anger feelings in check, so the intervention does not become overrun by strong emotions.
- Subject arrives intoxicated: If the subject arrives at the intervention and appears to be intoxicated, you will not have much effect at that moment. Wait until the person sobers up and then continue with what was rehearsed.
It is essential to know what an intervention should not entail:
- Coercive
- Shaming
- Angry
- Hurtful
- Ambush
For the best results, base the staged intervention on love, honesty, and support. Remember, the ultimate goal is for them to accept your proposal to check into an addiction rehabilitation center.
The Next Steps Forward
A staged intervention party needs to set recovery goals and expectations for the individual to conclude the intervention. The individual must be held accountable if they refuse to keep up with their treatment. Consequences for refusing could be removing children from their custody or kicking them out of the home. Whatever consequence you choose, it will be essential for the intervention party to stay firm in enforcing these consequences if need be.
What To Look for in an Interventionist
A professional interventionist will differ in specialties and experience. They will have different educational degrees and will practice various methods. Experience with successful staged interventions will be a good reference point, also. You want to choose the best professional to help you with the intervention because you might only have one shot at executing it.
Choosing an experienced professional in helping you with this delicate time is essential. A reputable interventionist is known as a Certified Intervention Professional. Most can be found online along with their experience and qualifications.
Requirements to become an interventionist vary, but most states require a four-year degree. Most interventionists hold a degree in psychology or social work. Most will also carry educational or professional certifications and addiction treatments or mental health counseling.
An interventionist will encourage participants to make home and structured approaches. If the professional lacks the education requirements, doesn’t possess a reputable certification, or uses dramatic techniques, you might want to enlist with somebody else.
Get Help From Crest View Recovery Center
Confronting a loved one about their addiction is very uncomfortable when not knowing what to do or to expect. Here at Crest View Recovery Center, our team of specialists can help you through this difficult time and provide the best addiction therapy program for them. Contact Crest View Recovery Center and allow our team of Professional Interventionist Specialists to help you with your journey.
