Having a loved one with an addiction can take an emotional toll on everyone involved. Your loved one may behave in hurtful ways under the influence of substances, or react defensively when you attempt to talk to them about their behavior. If a one-on-one conversation has proven ineffective in prompting your friend or family member to seek help, it may be time to plan a formal intervention. Interventions are often the most efficient way to communicate your concerns to an addicted loved one and help them to understand the severity of the situation. The best way to ensure a successful intervention is to make an informed plan and stick to it.
Enlist The Help of a Professional
Once you have decided to organize an intervention, it is best to seek the advice of an intervention expert. You are likely to find qualified individuals at an addiction treatment center but may also utilize a family therapist, social worker, or mental health provider. These experts are knowledgeable about how best to approach your loved one and facilitate honest communication without making them feel attacked or betrayed. These reactions are always a possibility, but an interventionist can teach you and all those involved how to minimize that risk, as well as how to react if your loved one becomes extremely angry or volatile.
Encourage Participants to Be Specific
Each person participating in the intervention should come prepared with specific anecdotes about how the addiction has hurt them, as well as an action they will take if your loved one refuses to seek treatment. For example, a friend of the person being addressed may state that the addiction is taking a financial toll on them, and they refuse to continue to give them money to support their substance abuse. Finally, it is critical that the intervention team has a mode of treatment to suggest for their loved one so that steps towards recovery can be made on the same day. Choose a quality treatment center before the intervention, and enlist the help of the professionals at the treatment center as early in the process as possible.
If you or someone you love is struggling with addiction, now is the time to reach out for help. At Arbor Behavioral Healthcare, you will meet knowledgeable, compassionate professionals that understand addiction in all its forms. The Arbor uses an integrative and holistic approach to treat addiction and mental health issues. No treatment is one-size-fits-all, and at The Arbor, you will have a team of experts prepared to create your customized treatment plan. We offer care for your mind, body, and spirit so that you can heal from the inside out and look forward to a lifetime of sobriety and wellness. If you are ready to take the first step in your recovery, please call us at 844-413-2690.