As we get more immersed in this wonderful and exciting time of year, it’s easy to forget about everything that isn’t related to planning out gifts and family visits. Unfortunately for those who are struggling with substance abuse, addiction doesn’t take any holiday breaks. While staging an intervention can seem to go against the holiday spirit, it’s quite the opposite. There’s no better gift to give someone than a new lease on life free of addiction.
What Makes the Holidays Different
Even if the friends and family of someone battling addiction are having a merry time, it’s simply not the same for the individual. If anything, the situation gets worse due to mounting pressures associated with the holidays and being around more people. It’s common for drug or alcohol usage to increase as everyone is expected to be bright and merry for the winter festivities. When someone feels like they can’t function without being under the influence of a substance, they lean into it even more heavily to keep up appearances.
Hosting friends and family together is another reason the holidays are great for an intervention. To be successful, you need a team who understands what they’re volunteering for and holds the love and respect of the person receiving the intervention. Make sure to not include anyone that may go off-script or cause unnecessary trouble as an intervention is already a difficult process to get through.
How To Prepare for the Intervention
The first step is making sure that you’ve reached out to a treatment center and have help waiting in the wings. For instance, our team here at Baystate Recovery Services has a professional interventionist on staff to help families prepare for the big day. Everyone involved will help the interventionist understand the situation and severity of addiction while also learning about addiction themselves.
By having treatment ready to go, the transition from intervention to seeking help is quick and seamless. The end goal is to get the individual to agree to treatment and enter into a program as soon as possible, preferably that same day. When working with a professional, the entire process unfolds naturally. You’ll know who is talking and in what order, saving the most impactful speakers for the end. Each member will also have a script they need to adhere to in order to keep everything on track.
It’s vital that the proper steps are followed. Far too often we hear of cases in which an intervention was staged without being planned out, leading to the individual agreeing to seek help without ever following through. When it’s all laid out in front of them, they’re faced with a very real and instantly acted upon decision rather than an empty promise that gets them out of the room.
When the time comes for your loved one to get the help they need, please don’t hesitate to reach out to Baystate Recovery Services with any and all questions. Whether you just need help planning the day or want an interventionist to take care of the delivery itself, we’re here to help.
