Alcohol and Drug Intervention
When the Pleading is Over: Alcohol and Drug Intervention Works
The goal of an Alcohol and Drug Intervention program is to get the addict to enter into treatment immediately. Intervention programs save the lives of many substance abusers each year, turning a destructive and potentially fatal downward life spiral into a healing journey. Due to the nature of addiction, most addicts and alcoholics are unable to admit that they have a problem. When confronted by friends and family members, substance abusers often defend their unacceptable behavior and swear that there is no reason for anyone to be concerned. For this reason, alcohol and drug intervention programs led by professionals are often necessary to get the addict to accept that the problem is real, and that they need professional help.
There are many details that must be dealt with to schedule a drug and alcohol intervention. The first step is to hire a professional interventionist. Finding an experienced professional to guide the intervention is very important. The interventionist will plan and lead the event.
Types of Alcohol and Drug Intervention
There are different types of intervention strategies that can be used. Depending on the specific individual’s particular situation, an experienced professional can determine which intervention model will have the greatest impact. There is an invitational intervention where the family and addict are invited to attend. In this model, there is no surprise element. If the addict does not show up for the intervention, the rest of the group proceeds with the intervention, discussing ways to help the addict without enabling the addiction. Some professionals prefer this intervention model since there is no deception employed.
The Johnson Model is one of the most popular intervention models and has been televised so that the general public is familiar with it. In this type of intervention, the addict is unaware of the intervention meeting until he gets there. The surprise factor is a small deception but is used to assure the group that the addict will attend. By being forced to listen to family and friends, the hope is that the addict will accept the truth of their addiction and how it is negatively impacting loved ones.
Planning Meeting of the Alcohol and Drug Intervention
Once an interventionist is hired to conduct the intervention, they take over and begin planning the important meeting. Due to the sense of urgency inherent in drug and alcohol abuse treatment to divert a possible disaster, most interventionists will plan the meeting as soon as possible. Identifying a convenient location, participants and a treatment program are all decisions that must be made.
There is also a planning meeting planned so that participants can be coached to ensure the best results. Typically, some of the friends and family members confront the addict or alcoholic, explaining how addiction has impacted them personally and harmed the relationship. This confrontation is supposed to be managed with great care, and expressed as a concern and not blame.
Ending the nightmare with an Alcohol and Drug Intervention
Due to the likelihood that drug and alcohol addiction can end in disastrous results, an intervention is a necessary step to stop an addict’s dangerous behavior and prevent further problems and possible death. Many recovering addicts admit that they would have never entered treatment on their own, without an Alcohol and Drug intervention. There are no guarantees that an intervention will be successful. But for the sake of the addict, an intervention is a good option for getting a loved one to accept treatment.
Intervention Services can guide, educate or be a resource to you, the one who is reaching out. Essentially, Intervention Services is on hand 24 hours a day to help you to help your loved one who may be abusing drugs or alcohol. If you have questions or need to speak with someone, understand that most of our employees are recovering professionals who can speak with you as someone who once abused drugs themselves.
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