Is an Intervention Necessary?
Anyone abusing legal or illegal substances likely needs some form of intervention. While media has glorified the classic intervention, it’s possible that the person in your life needs a different style of intervention.
In nearly every case of addiction, intervention is necessary. The nature of the beast of addiction is that the person who is sick cannot understand that they are sick and need help. There are cases where a person recognizes that they are medically or physically unhealthy and then becomes willing to seek help. There are times also when the addicted person realizes that their current way of life is not sustainable. However, in both cases, the sobriety is often temporary.
Getting sober alone often leads to relapse as these people don’t know how to arm themselves with tools for long-term sobriety. In many cases where a person decided to become sober alone, or without professional help, they are merely trying to fix the problem of the day rather than set themselves up for a sober life.
Deciding Whether or Not to Stage an Intervention
The only question that matters when deciding if an intervention is necessary, or not, is: “Is this person willing to get help?” An intervention is for those who are too sick to understand that they need help or are otherwise unwilling. This situation explains or stands true for most addicts. Most people who are subject to substance abuse are unable to see that their behavior is unhealthy or damaging to them and the people around them. Additionally, they may be blinded by the feeling of the drug, which is common with heroin, crack, cocaine, and meth.
If the person in your life is unwilling to seek treatment, then you need to schedule and plan out an intervention. When you’re ready to take this step, you need to get into contact with those who are closest to them and have a positive role or should have a positive role in their life.
Another instance when an intervention is necessary, even if the person is willing to seek treatment, is if they are in an unhealthy environment. Many addicts will collect with other people in unfortunate stages in life. In short, like finds like. If the addict in your life is living with other addicts, living in an environment which puts them in immediate danger, or living a lifestyle which exposes them to life-threatening situations you need to stage an intervention. They may need someone to step in and say that you both understand this is unhealthy, and it’s time to stop.
Deciding Which Type of Intervention is Right for Your Loved One
There are many different forms of intervention, although the classic intervention or the Johnson Model has grabbed the most attention. Learn a little more about each method of intervention and then discuss which option you think is best for your loved one with a professional.
Simple Intervention
This type of intervention is simple and straightforward and only involves two people. Often the family may choose one person who is well respected and speaks clearly to address the addicted person. A one-on-one conversation can be what someone needs to pursue treatment.
Johnson Model Intervention
The classic intervention model, these interventions are always a surprise and usually will include key family members, spouses, and close friends. Each person has their chance to speak, and then help is offered to the addict at the end with a series of consequences if they choose not to seek sobriety.
Family Interventions
Family interventions address the addiction, codependency, and in many cases, family trauma that’s present within the family unit. Usually, an interventionist will identify the need for a family intervention and arrange for family therapy in addition to therapy for the addicted person.
Reach Out for Your Loved One
Whether it’s your spouse, child, sibling, or parent, the person in your life does need help. They do need to reach a point where they are willing to pursue sobriety. Although they will not usually reach that point on their own, this is where an intervention comes into play.
When you confront the behavior, actions, and personality changes that come with alcohol use, it gives the alcoholic little room to argue. They may not see their behavior as wrong. They may justify it with the legality of alcohol or the social acceptance of drinking. However, when you unite as a group of concerned people and intervene, they may see there is no choice but to get sober or lose the lifestyle they have currently.
Rehab Carolinas helps families, and if you are ready to take control of your position in this addicted person’s life, then contact us.