Do you have someone in your life who is perhaps in need of an intervention? Alcoholism is a serious problem that can take a toll on the friends and family of someone who refuses to let go of their addiction. An intervention is needed when the individual refuses to admit or accept that they have a problem, and as a result, their life and the lives of those around them begin to spiral out of control.
We at Asheville Detox are ready to help you plan your intervention and more importantly to welcome your loved ones into our care once they are ready. Let’s take a moment to talk about planning an intervention and how to know when it is time to do so.
What Is an Intervention?
More than just a TV show stunt, an intervention is a careful plan that is acted upon by family and friends, that is designed to make an addicted person come to terms with their behaviors with the end goal being that they agree to go into treatment for their addiction.
An intervention is headed up by a doctor or other licensed professional who acts as the interventionist, and at times involves a member of your loved one’s faith who is also concerned about them.
Each member of the team is given a chance to read a letter or talk about how the person’s addiction to alcohol is negatively affecting them, or how it is deeply concerning them. They also discuss the consequences of their actions. Each person then lets them know what they will do if their loved one does not agree to accept treatment.
How Do You Know When It is Time for an Intervention?
1. When they deny that there is a problem. Perhaps it is completely obvious to everyone but them. Alcohol may be affecting their health, relationships, and employment. You may have already talked with them about it, but they say everything is just fine. They believe they have everything under control.
2. They are taking unnecessary risks. Whether they are getting behind the wheel after they have been drinking or they are taking risks sexually speaking, both can cause long-term consequences that can be deadly or irreversible.
3. They are dishonest with you. When someone is addicted to alcohol or drugs, priority number one becomes getting more of what they desire. Because of this, they will lie, cheat hide and steal in order to get more. Even though they know they are being watched, they will be deceptive anyway.
4. Their health is going downward. You might notice first that their personal hygiene is going down the toilet, so to speak. However, if they are an alcoholic, so is their health. Alcohol abuse can destroy their liver, do damage to their heart and impact their brain health. If they are going through withdrawal symptoms due to a health scare, that would be a good time to hold an intervention.
5. They never seem to have enough. Perhaps your loved one has built up such a tolerance to drinking alcohol that it takes a lot more than it used to for them to get the same effect. If what they drink never seems to satisfy them, this is one big indicator of addiction.
6. You just can’t go along with it anymore. Perhaps your reason for wanting to stage an intervention is as simple as that. You have just had enough and can’t take any more abuse. You want to help your loved one, but nothing that you do is doing the trick. You simply don’t have the power to save them on your own.
Who Should Be a Part of the Intervention Team?
Typically, an intervention team consists of a handful of people who are meaningful to your loved one. These should be people that he or she cares about, respects, or depends upon. For example, an intervention team may include their parents, their best friend, and their adult siblings. Your intervention professional can always help you to decide. Be sure to avoid including anyone that your loved one has any negative feelings about, or who may not stick to the agreed-upon plan.
How to Plan an Intervention
1. Form a group. Decide on who is going to be a part of the intervention, and find a professional counselor, addiction professional, or social worker to head up the intervention. Keep in mind that an intervention is an emotionally charged situation that is likely to cause your loved one to feel betrayed or resentful.
2. Conduct research. Each member of the group should research your loved one’s addiction as well as different treatment programs that are available in your area. With the help of your interventionist, you can make a decision about which treatment program may be right for your loved one.
3. Rehearse your plan. Set a date and location for the intervention to happen. Work together to present a uniform, rehearsed message to deliver. Be sure to let everyone know how important it is to keep quiet about what you are doing.
4. Decide on what the consequences will be if treatment is denied. Each person needs to make up their mind and state what the consequences will be if their loved one refuses to accept treatment.
5. Each person should make notes or write a letter. It should describe specific incidents where their alcohol addiction caused problems, and how it made them feel in response to what happened.
Receive Help From Asheville Detox Today
Planning an intervention should take time and careful consideration. Each person needs to speak from their heart and let their loved one know how deeply their actions have affected them, but most importantly how they will be supported if they choose to receive professional help.
We at Asheville Detox know how courageous it is to make this move, and we want to help you in any way that we can. Contact us today and allow us to work with you in bringing your loved one to a place of greater peace and acceptance.
