Planning an intervention is often the next logical step to take after you develop concerns that a friend or family member is refusing to face the fact that drugs or alcohol are taking over their life. At this point, you might have already tried milder intervention strategies such as talking to your loved one privately about their substance misuse. Now, you feel like you have no choice but to make a more formal plea for them to get help. Wondering where can you get intervention help is a strong sign that you might feel like you are in over your head. Fortunately, there are resources available to help you kick your loved one’s recovery off with an effective intervention that makes them see the importance of seeking help.
How Does a Typical Intervention Work?
Every intervention is unique in its own way because addiction hits everyone differently. However, there are a few features of an intervention that should be relatively the same, and reading through this list can give you a good idea of what you need to do to prepare for the one you plan to host.
•Start by choosing a calm, private place where everyone can talk openly
•Pick out a select group of people who are close to your loved one to attend
•Consider bringing in an intervention specialist to guide the conversation
•Have each person share a planned statement
•Be prepared to keep everyone calm and on track with the discussion
While you might’ve seen dramatic interventions displayed in movies, the ideal thing is to maintain a calm environment where each person feels supported and capable of sharing their thoughts without facing judgment. You’ll also want to make sure that the person you are holding the intervention for is sober and able to fully take in the information that everyone shares. The average intervention can take some time to complete, but it shouldn’t go on so long that everyone loses track of the purpose. You also don’t want the person you are hosting the intervention for to get bored and start to zone out.
What Kinds of Help Can I Get With an Intervention?
You have several options for finding help with an intervention. Professional interventionists are trained on how to plan this important meeting and get results. Depending upon your situation, you might choose to have an interventionist help you plan each part of the meeting and attend the actual session. In this role, an interventionist can step in if things get heated, and they can provide a neutral perspective that often resonates better with someone who has an addiction.
You also have the option of working with an interventionist to plan the meeting but do the final part yourself. In this instance, the interventionist serves as a long-distance guide who can help to answer questions that you have along the way. For example, they might suggest inviting someone that you might not think of, or they could let you know if someone’s planned statement might have information that could antagonize the situation. Having someone give you these pieces of advice gives you more confidence as you head into the actual intervention.
What Steps Should I Be Prepared to Take After the Intervention is Over?
One of the areas where you might need the most help with planning an intervention is with knowing what to do in both potential outcomes. If your loved one refuses to seek help, then you’ll need to make sure the group is prepared to stick to the boundaries that they define during their statements. An intervention specialist can help you to plan which boundaries to establish, and they can also prepare your group for any excuses or pleas for non-treatment assistance that the person with the addiction might bring up. Having this back up support makes it easier to make difficult choices that are designed to help your loved one see the point in seeking treatment.
With a carefully planned intervention, there is a strong chance that your loved one will decide that they are ready to face their addiction. This is when an intervention specialist will step in and provide information about their options for treatment. They’ll help to initiate the admissions process into rehab so that your loved one can start treatment before they change their mind.
Are you currently in the planning stages for hosting an intervention and need help? We’ll make it possible to plan an effective intervention and feel confident about what you need to say. Give us a call today at 855-936-4435.
