Professional interventions often increase the chances of your loved one agreeing to receive treatment at a drug and alcohol rehab center. SAMHSA reports that in the United States, only one in 10 people who need addiction treatment receive it at a facility that specializes in substance use disorders. Many times, this is because interventions staged without professional help end up failing due to poor timing and lack of knowledge, empathy, and support about addiction.
If your loved one needs help fighting addiction, consider hiring a professional like Michael Wilson at East Point Recovery Services who can help you stage and administer an intervention that can achieve long-term recovery.
Here’s a closer look at how professional interventions work for addiction.
Information Is Gathered
Before a professional intervention takes place, the interventionist may ask you for details about your loved one’s addiction, such as the type of substances they’re using and the length of time they’ve been struggling with addiction.
This information can help you and the interventionist explore potential treatment options before the intervention occurs, which gives the interventionist a better idea of how to stage the meeting. For example, if your loved one is suffering from alcohol use disorder, you and the interventionist can work together to choose a meeting location away from venues that serve alcohol and find a rehab center that offers alcohol detox and behavioral therapy.
An Intervention Team Is Formed
The interventionist will ask you to create a list of people closest to your loved one and who may be most affected by their drug and alcohol use. This list may include relatives, friends, and neighbors who care about your loved one’s well-being and want to see them become healthier with treatment. The interventionist may help you reach out to these individuals and invite them to the intervention.
Consequences Are Established
The interventionist will help you come up with consequences for your loved one in the event they delay treatment or change their mind about going to drug rehab after making a commitment. Establishing consequences can motivate your loved one to seek treatment, knowing what will happen if they don’t.
For example, if your spouse decides not to seek treatment, make it known that you may file for separation or divorce if they are unwilling to follow through with their commitment. Anyone who plans to attend the intervention should come up with at least one consequence to present to your loved one.
Speeches Are Prepared in Advance
The interventionist will ask everyone attending the meeting to prepare a brief speech about how your loved one’s addiction has affected their livelihood. These speeches will be presented to your loved one during the intervention and are intended to motivate them to seek treatment. For example, a person in the group may tell your loved one a story about how their drinking resulted in a harmful argument that put a strain on their relationship.
The Intervention Is Held
Professional interventions are usually held at a private meeting place where the person suffering from addiction can feel safe and comfortable, and speak openly about their addiction. In many cases, the interventionist hired will oversee and guide conversation during the intervention in a positive, productive way that empowers your loved one to agree to seek treatment.
Follow-Ups Are Conducted
Many professional interventions result in the person agreeing to receive addiction treatment; however, the most important step of an intervention is ensuring the person actually follows through with their commitment.
The interventionist may help you develop a follow-up plan if your loved one puts off treatment, which may include reminding your loved one of potential consequences or driving them to the drug detox facility yourself. Following up with your loved one is often the last stage of the intervention before they embark on their journey to long-term sobriety.
Give East Point Recovery Services a call today with any questions about the intervention process and how to get started.