Is It Time to Hold an Intervention?

The Intervention Process

When planning an intervention for someone you care about, one of the first things that you need to remember is that you do not actually understand what they are going through. Many people struggle with addiction or a substance use problem, but each person’s battle is unique. Intervention is an outstretched hand for many people who want the help, but struggle to ask for it. If you decide to hold an intervention, you could be helping someone make the change in their life that they have been longing for. 

On the other hand, the intervention process can be frustrating for everyone involved; this is normal and everyone’s feelings are valid. Each person that is there has been affected, which is why addiction is considered a family disease. Your loved one might be resistant to your help. They may refuse to listen to you or the team and accuse everyone involved of attacking them. However, with proper planning, a successful intervention with positive outcomes is attainable. 

How to Conduct an Intervention

It is important to note that each intervention is unique. Remember that each addiction and vice are different and that each user prioritizes them differently. So make sure you go into the intervention calmly and willing to listen, no matter what is being said. Preparing your mental mindset before conducting the intervention is highly recommended. We suggest asking yourself some of these questions to determine if you personally are ready to be a part of this intervention: 

1. Will I be able to layout the points effectively without triggering my loved one?
2. Are there other individuals who will form this inner circle that will assist me?
3. Will I be able to follow through with this, even if there is a negative outcome?

These questions may seem simple at first, but when you really start to think about each one, it can be alarming what you may realize about the process and outcome. Preparing yourself mentally before conducting an intervention for a loved one can be scary. You may feel moments of guilt, regret, anxiety–this is why it is so important to prepare yourself mentally before your loved one walks into that intervention. 

Timing

When deciding if it is time to stage an intervention, the following should be determined:

• The ability for all participants to be available to gather for both the planning session and the intervention itself.
• If a spot has been secured for the person in an inpatient or outpatient rehab program.
• If the person’s life or quality of life is in danger. 

No person struggling with an addiction is going to willingly walk into their own intervention. Make sure that a time and place have been arranged ahead of time. You don’t need a large group; although everyone might want to be involved, keeping the group small allows for everyone to have a chance to speak and for the person with the addiction to not feel so bombarded or overwhelmed. Each person should try to keep their sections short and to the point. The impact of an intervention is everything! Choosing the appropriate time and delivery can make or break the outcome. 

Waiting for Them to Hit “Rock Bottom”

Sometimes we may feel like we need to wait until our loved one hits rock bottom because we don’t want to hold an intervention “too soon”. First of all, if there is an addiction in progress, there is no such thing as too soon. The sooner someone can receive help for their substance abuse or addiction, the better. Early intervention can help make treatment easier in some cases. 

Everyone’s rock bottom is going to look extremely different. When others are attempting to gauge where the person is in the use of substances or whether they have hit their rock bottom, it makes things difficult because more than likely, other than the person themselves, there might be a lot of crucial details you just don’t know about. 

Concerning red flags that can help you determine if it is time to hold an intervention for your loved one, here is a list of some of the most common signs: 

• Dodgy behavior patterns
• Increased tolerance
• Mental fog
• Changes in appearance
• Barely getting by (financially)
• Isolation
• Decreased mental and physical well-being

Seeking help and guidance from a professional intervention specialist is highly recommended. This individual is trained to help prevent individuals from leaving or becoming enraged during an intervention and they are there to help all parties to communicate effectively. This is not an easy process and emotions will be high. If you are looking for additional resources on how to hold an intervention, reach out to RECO Intensive today.                                

When you and your family start to think about holding an intervention for a loved one, feelings of despair can occur. Emotions can be high, but with an effective intervention plan, the outcome for all parties could potentially be life-changing. Remember that it is never too soon or too late to organize an intervention for your loved one. There are crucial steps that a person should focus on to prepare themselves mentally before conducting an intervention. It’s important to make sure that all parties involved are dedicated and come into the space willing to listen. This is a big decision that can help save your loved one’s life. Time and effort should be put into planning an intervention, as well as involving a trained intervention specialist. If you feel overwhelmed with the decision to organize an intervention for your loved one and need assistance, reach out to RECO Intensive today at (561) 464-6533. We are here to help.