Drug addiction is extremely hard to overcome, for many reasons. Addiction rewires the pathways of the brain to the point that the person feels irresistibly compelled to pursue drug abuse, and quitting entails the painful process of withdrawals. But even more than that, it’s hard for people to admit that they have a problem and take that first step toward getting better.

Popular culture doesn’t fully understand addiction, and people often make light of addictions to substances such as alcohol. Simply talking to an addict often fails to convince them, at which point it’s time to consider staging an intervention.

How an Intervention Works

An intervention consists of a carefully selected team of people coming together to convince an addict to change. This is a structured conversation that’s planned by the team as thoroughly as possible beforehand. As for the team members themselves, they might be coworkers, loved ones, or even intervention experts and drug addiction specialists. Together, the intervention team will share the ways that the person’s addiction has changed them or hurt the people around them.

After preparing impact statements that describe these feelings and observations, the team will confront the addict. This is an opportunity for the team members to express what they’ve felt, but in a planned, constructive way that seeks to inspire change.

Who Should Be on the Intervention Team?

The first and perhaps most important step in a successful intervention is choosing who goes on the team. There are many variables to take into account, and the quality of the relationship between the addict and the person is important. Likewise, the relationship that potential team members have to drugs and alcohol or their personal temperament is also important. No one on the team should engage in irresponsible behaviors with substances, as the addicted person may consider this to be a sign of hypocrisy.

An Expert Interventionist

Interventionists bring a combination of clinical knowledge, professional distance, leadership, and compassion for the victims of addiction to the table. By bringing an interventionist onboard, your team will have valuable support going into this difficult process. They’ll be able to guide you during the preparation process and will also serve as a mediator of sorts to keep the intervention itself on track.

Close Friends and Family Members

Children, spouses, and other family members are the key members of an addiction intervention team. They’ll be the closest witnesses to their loved one’s descent into addiction, and will likely be those most profoundly hurt. Likewise, friends of the addict are invaluable when it comes to forming an addiction team because they bring a fresh perspective to the table.

Coworkers

A coworker, particularly someone that the addict respects or has good relationship can be useful on an intervention team. Whereas friends and family reflect the breadth of the addict’s personal life, a coworker can provide insight into how addiction has affected them professionally. Bringing a coworker into the mix, in addition to friends and family, enables your intervention team to show the addict how their problem is disrupting their whole life.

Reach Out to Baystate Recovery Center

At Baystate Recovery Center, we’re dedicated to helping the victims of substance abuse disorder and those close to them. If you or a loved one need help with addiction, reach out to us today.

Michael Wilson