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During an intervention, our goal is to remove the shame and stigma of admitting you have a problem with substance use, and to get you the help you need. As an intervener, this is rarely an easy process, and often times, you may find that you yourself are in need of help.
One of the most significant challenges when trying to help an addicted loved one is getting them to see the need for professional intervention. People struggling with drug or alcohol addiction tend to deny the problem or severity and are often reluctant to get help. They are usually the last to come to terms with the devastating impacts of addiction on their lives and others around them.
Addiction is a complex disease and not a bad habit one can simply shake off. So, professional assistance is required to overcome an addiction. A heartfelt conversation may be enough to get some people to seek help, but others may not be so easy to convince. Having an addicted loved one can be overwhelming, especially if they are unwilling to seek the help they need. The Canadian Center for Addictions offers a number of support groups and specialized addiction intervention services. We help people with drug and alcohol addiction see the need for professional intervention, acknowledge their health issues’ severity, and help them get the treatment they need.
An intervention is a process that aims to bring awareness about the dangers and problematic life patterns related to addiction or drug abuse. Interventions are typically initiated by concerned loved ones or friends hoping to trigger a turnaround in behavior. Their aim is to help addicts break out of denial, realize the dangers of their situation, and take steps toward recovery.
Professional drug or alcohol intervention involves an expert trained to facilitate difficult conversations surrounding addiction and substance abuse. Interventionists are licensed professionals equipped with the skills needed to navigate addiction-related confrontations. The interventionist will support, educate, and offer guidance to recovering addicts. They will also provide resources and make referrals to other professionals whose services may be required. An interventionist brings a non-biased opinion, and their presence often helps the addict to see the severity of their situation. At Canadian Centre for Addictions, we offer a number of addiction services, and we have a team of expert interventionists who will meet with your loved one, help them work around their issues and convince them to get the help they need.
Our approach to drug and alcohol addiction interventions at Canadian Centre for Addictions involves an intimate meeting with the addict and their loved ones, the goal being to get the individual into an appropriate treatment program. With guidance from our interventionist, family and loved ones will devise a strategy on how to proceed to achieve the set goal – getting the individual into a rehabilitation program. To learn more, read our guide on how to do an intervention.
The first step towards a successful intervention is contacting a professional who will evaluate the situation and recommend a suitable intervention model. The professional will combine their experience with resources needed before, during, and after the intervention to help the individual understand their addiction and its consequences.
It is not always easy to determine the exact time for an intervention, but seeing some of these signs suggest that’s it time to get expert assistance for a loved one:
Denying an Evident Problem
Denial is one of the hallmarks of addiction, so you may want to consider intervention if your loved one refuses to admit they have a drug or alcohol problem. Addicts in denial will insist they’re fine and have the issue under control. However, this is usually the beginning of a descent into more severe consequences.
High Risk or Reckless Behavior
If your loved one starts engaging in risky behavior, like driving while high or passing out on their substance of choice, it may be time to consider an intervention.
Lying and Manipulation
Addiction can make an individual lie about their whereabouts or what they’ve been doing. They may also bring up stories to get money to fund their addiction. You need to consider staging an intervention when you notice this and other forms of dishonesty.
Worsening Physical and Mental Health
As much as drug or alcohol addicts try to conceal their activities, the physical and mental health effects of addiction will become visible with time. If you start to notice deterioration in the health of your loved one, then it’s clearly time for an intervention.
Trying and Failing to Get Them to Seek Help
If your loved one is struggling with a drug or alcohol addiction, chances are you’ve spoken to them about getting help. If appealing to their emotions or sense of responsibility doesn’t work, it’s time to introduce a professional.
You are Exhausted and Can’t Go on Anymore
Looking out for an addict can be exhausting, no matter how much you care. Everyone has a breaking point, and if you think you’ve reached your limit, you may need to involve an interventionist.
Success in drug and alcohol addiction recovery can only happen when an addict’s loved ones and support structure approach issues compassionately. Dealing with a loved one’s addictive behavior will create emotionally-charged situations. Having a trained and experienced intervention specialist in the room ensures everyone stays focused on the goal – treatment for the individual and hope for their loved ones.
If your addicted loved one refuses help, the Canadian Center for Addictions is here to guide you. We offer comprehensive intervention programs designed to bring your loved one to a point where they see the need for help. We also provide addiction treatment options in our serene and luxurious treatment centers. If you’re looking for intervention services in Canada, don’t hesitate to contact us today at 1-855-499-9446
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Accountability is the hardest thing to manage in addictive behavior. Drug and alcohol addicts are usually wrongly convinced that they’re in control and that their substance abuse is not really a problem. Our counselling interventions come from trained caregivers and coordinators who help your family soften the blow of confronting an addicted loved one. Our interventions have a high success rate, with 85% of clients choosing to seek treatment afterwards.
The most common types of intervention programs and models are:
In this model, the addict’s family or social circle invites them to a meeting with the therapist and confronts them about their situation. This model has no element of surprise, and the individual knows what will happen. Usually, family members will outline consequences for not showing up to the meeting or refusing treatment.
The impulsive invitational model will not work with everyone, especially if they get defensive or hostile when confronted. The family systemic model involves all members of the family who come together with the therapist to identify how their actions contribute to the individual’s addiction. Instead of confronting the addict about their denial, this model advocates support, communication, and encouragement as tools for getting the individual to see reasons to seek help.
In the motivational model, the interventionist communicates with the addict to show empathy and build trust. This model aims to encourage them to make attitudinal and behavioral changes that can help them cease substance abuse.
ARISE is an acronym for A Relational Intervention Sequence for Engagement. It involves engaging family members and providing them with steps to encourage the drug or alcohol addicts to get long-term treatment. This model starts with a call that guides family members to point the addict toward participating in their first ARISE meeting.
Drug and alcohol addiction cases are unique, and an addiction’s varying circumstances will influence the intervention process. However, there are general steps to follow when planning an intervention. The first and most important thing to do is research. You need to learn about available intervention resources for your loved one and the steps needed. Your research will also let you know whether you need professional help or whether you should do it with family members only.
Researching the intervention process also informs you of the treatment options available for your loved one. If they are not up for rehab at the moment, other treatment methods may be helpful. You also need to decide the family members you want present at the intervention and the time and setting of the meeting.
It is likewise necessary to plan for a negative outcome. Your loved one may be unreceptive or unwilling to accept a treatment offer after your intervention. You and other family members will need to collectively decide on consequences to implement if the individual refuses your offer for treatment. These could include withholding financial support or limiting specific interactions with the person. Also, the individual may have boundaries concerning communication or actions around their addiction. They may not want certain people involved in their treatment process, and you will need to respect their choices. Ultimately, the goal of the entire process is to get the addict into recovery treatment, so any positive action that can cause that goal to be achieved should be part of the intervention process.
When dealing with a loved one who needs an intervention, you may be torn between going for a professional or addressing it yourself. While it may appear simple to confront a drug or alcohol addict and persuade them to get help, it is usually more complicated than it seems. Without a professional, family ties and emotional connections can get in the way of your attempts. It’s easy to lose focus or control if the person becomes hostile or defensive.
A professional will approach the issue without sentiments; their experience means they know the steps to take when someone is uncooperative. Family members also unwittingly aid their loved one’s addiction despite their best intentions. They may give them money that fuels that addiction or bail them from jail when they get in trouble. A professional will assess your actions and help you set healthy boundaries for dealing with an addicted loved one.
Drug and alcohol addicts also tend to lie and manipulate their loved ones to avoid getting treatment. An expert will easily see through their attempts at deception and get them to focus on getting treatment. A professional intervention also leads your loved one to get appropriate treatment. It will ease your concerns by answering questions you or your loved one may have about long-term recovery.
An intervention can help an addict overcome denial and seek help when done correctly. Conversely, your attempts can also have unintended consequences if not handled well. Here are some things to do and others to avoid for your intervention attempts to go well.
Before you attempt an intervention, invest time and effort into planning to increase your chances of success. An impromptu intervention attempt will probably be unsuccessful.
Interventions can quickly become highly emotional, especially if the individual responds defensively. Asking for advice from professionals and other family members can increase your chances of success.
While it can be difficult to rein in your emotions when dealing with an addicted loved one, you must remain as calm as possible. You want to let the person know that you only want them to get better and nothing else.
Help your loved one understand that what they are going through is a disease and not a consequence of their moral failure. Have recommendations for treatment available so they can get treatment immediately if you are able to convince them.
It’s normal to be upset and angry at the situation, but you shouldn’t allow your feelings to make you judgmental. Try not to remind the person of their failings or resort to name-calling, as these would only push them away from getting help.
You mustn’t enable your loved ones or make excuses for them before, during, or after the intervention. Enabling a drug or alcohol addict will only make them less motivated to seek help.
An intoxicated person will not appreciate the gravity of the situation or what you’re trying to achieve. Pick a time when they are most sober or lucid to talk to them.
Whether or not an intervention will succeed depends on how you approach the meeting. Here are tips for increasing your chances of success:
• Have a Clear Intervention Plan
An impromptu intervention is likely to be unsuccessful. Take time to plan what you want to say, how you say it, and those you wish to be present at the meeting. Pick a time and place for the gathering; ideally, this should be when the individual is not under the influence of any substance. Organization is crucial to the success of any intervention process. Your plan should include a list of points to discuss and why they’re necessary during the process. Having a clear plan ensures your emotions do not interfere with the process.
• Contact a Professional
Having an expert in your corner will significantly improve your chances of success. Professional interventionists know how to speak to drug and alcohol addicts, and getting their help is one of the best steps you can take. You can also invite the professional to be part of the intervention process.
• Create an Intervention Team
Intervention teams typically include the individual’s loved ones and friends, especially those directly or indirectly impacted by their addiction.
• Set Ultimatums
There is a possibility that the addict will resist your well-intentioned attempts at getting them help. You should plan for this by spelling out clear consequences if they continue to refuse your treatment.
• Rehearse Your Plan
It would help to review your intervention plan with other team members before the meeting. This preparation ensures everyone knows their role and how to respond to issues that arise in the meeting.
• Invite the Addict to The Meeting
Depending on your intervention model, you may inform the addict of the meeting so they can be present at the appointed time. However, your model may entail inviting them without letting them know the reason for the invitation. Whatever model you choose, ensure your plan covers possible outcomes and how you and others will react.
• Allow Everyone to Speak and Discuss Treatment Options
Everyone in the meeting should get a chance to speak. This way, the addict understands that their actions affect many people. If the addict is open to change, you may present available treatment options so they can begin immediately.
Unfortunately, the addict can refuse all offers of help. This scenario might be painful, but you have to make firm decisions. Depending on the situation, you may have to enforce consequences like withholding resources or denying them access to your home or kids till they show they’re willing to change. An addict will continue to think they can get away with their actions if your actions don’t show that you are serious about their need for treatment and recovery.
An intervention checklist is a guide for preparing an intervention to get an addict into a treatment program. The checklist will include a plan to get the addict into treatment and steps to actualize that plan.
Planning is crucial to the success of an intervention, and how long it takes to plan adequately differs from case to case. However, the actual intervention meeting should last at least one hour, with every member of the intervention team given time to contribute towards convincing the addict to get the required treatment.
A simple intervention occurs between an addict and an interventionist, where they discuss how the addiction came about and what the individual can do to change things. The goal of a simple intervention is to open the addict up to the idea of discussing their addiction in a single meeting with a professional. A simple intervention usually works for happy users who have no worries about their drug use or do not see it as a problem.
An intervention is a staged approach to encouraging someone with an addiction to get appropriate treatment. In contrast, treatment is the process involved in helping them recover from their addiction.
Therapy can be a form of intervention. Therapeutic intervention describes therapeutic efforts to help an addict who refused treatment.
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