Preparing For The Intervention
"After years of chronic alcoholism and drug addiction, I was unable to help myself in any way," writes author Jeff Jay. "Although I had been a national merit scholar, president of my high school student association, and head of the alter boys, I was now homeless and penniless. I had a bleeding ulcer, a bleeding colon, and neuropathy of the legs. I was unable to eat solid food and I was sleeping under bushes in the city parks. But I still didn't think that I had an alcohol or drug problem. I just thought I had a little cash flow problem." Denial is the hallmark of drug and alcohol addiction. Therefore, you may come up against some tough obstacles when you're planning the intervention that will ultimately save your loved one's life.
The first step for an intervention is to choose the members to be involved. This group generally consists of three to eight people comprised of family members, friends, coworkers, clergy or a professional interventionist. Each person must be firmly committed and able to look the addict in the eye and say "You have a problem." They must firmly resolve to end the cycle of enabling to really help the person. The team members must have intimate, first hand knowledge of the situation to successfully break through the addict's denial.
You must select people who have leverage and influence over the individual, who have the ability to make an emotional impact. In some cases, a seemingly helpless person like a young child could have the largest impact. Never underestimate the power of love. Prior to the intervention, a chairperson and a detail person should be chosen to facilitate the process and to keep a record of everything.
Prior to the intervention, participants will write a paragraph about what they have witnessed that has lead them to worry about the substance abuser. Facts should be clearly presented without passing judgment. Be specific about where and when a certain incident happened. A person's emotional reaction is also encouraged. Another important step in planning is to think out all the objections the alcoholic or drug addict may raise. The team must have an answer and a solution for every possible scenario.
Interventionist members must present a clear plan of action, with a specific treatment center set up and ready to admit the individual. If the center is out of state, transportation should be arranged. You should also pack a suitcase for the individual, if possible, and plan to act immediately to take the person to the treatment facility immediately if he or she agrees. The more time that elapses, the more you're setting yourself up for ultimate failure.
The power of love, clarity and honesty in a group setting cannot be overstated. Sometimes the sheer shock that a support net has assembled with a game plan is enough to stir the substance abuser's emotions, prompting them to spontaneously agree to substance abuse treatment, even if he or she doubts the decision on the inside. Reading books, consulting a professional interventionist and enlisting the help of various organizations can be great tools to successfully plan intervention strategies. Interventions have saved thousands of families, so why not yours?
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Today's Tip On Intervention
There are many people in this world that are overcome by their problems. Perhaps it is the alcoholic that is giving up a job or family just to have one more drink. It might be the heroin or crack addict that wants one more hit and just does not know how to stop. Sometimes interventions are the only way to save people and their families. It takes a lot of courage to come forth with your problems and even more courage to face the fact that everyone else knows about your problem except for you. Even participating in an intervention takes a toll emotionally on the family and friends of the afflicted person. In this article we will cover how interventions can save lives and how interventions work.
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