For friends and family who have reached a breaking point, an intervention can be a crucial opportunity to express concerns to their addicted loved one. It serves as a structured meeting where those closest to the affected person can communicate their concern and encourage them to seek help. An intervention may be the wake-up call your loved one needs if they are in deep denial about the extent of their problem.
Considerations for a Successful Intervention
1. Set a Goal
Many families assume calling attention to the problem will be enough to prompt change. However, an effective intervention must have two defined goals.
- Helping the person acknowledge that they have a problem they cannot solve on their own.
- Convincing them to accept treatment immediately following the intervention.
You must arrange treatment before staging an intervention. Contact an appropriate rehab facility and ensure they are ready to admit your loved one immediately, so there is no delay in getting them the help they need.
2. Carefully Select Participants
An intervention is not an opportunity for family members to vent frustration, assign blame, or heap guilt onto someone who already struggles with the guilt and shame of addiction. Those involved must be willing to set aside anger and resentment in favor of love, respect, and concern. Only invite people who can maintain a constructive, nonjudgmental approach and whose presence will contribute positively to the conversation.
3. Time the Meeting Carefully
The timing of an intervention is critical to its success. Here are a few points to remember.
- Don’t wait too long: If your loved one has experienced a crisis, such as a DUI arrest or job loss, it may be tempting to let them process the situation on their own. However, these turning points could be an epiphany – a moment when they are most open to seeing the consequences of their substance use.
- Ensure the subject is sober: Hold the intervention when your loved one is least likely to be under the influence of alcohol or drugs. You want to choose a time when they are more likely to be clear-headed and receptive.
4. Define Consequences
Not every intervention results in an immediate agreement to enter treatment. Be ready to set and enforce boundaries if your loved one refuses help.
- Identify enabling behaviors, such as paying their bills or covering for missed work, and make a firm commitment to stop.
- Avoid framing consequences as threats; instead, present them as necessary changes to protect your well-being.
- Reiterate that your actions will change, even if your loved one is unwilling to.
The goal is not to punish the person, but to demonstrate that you will no longer accommodate or enable their substance use.
Seek Professional Guidance
Interventions can be emotionally complex and hard to manage on your own. Professional assistance may be beneficial if you feel uncertain about your ability to lead the conversation or maintain structure.
At Ken Seeley Communities, our trained experts approach interventions compassionately. Ken Seeley, renowned from A&E’s Intervention, has dedicated his career to helping people find a path toward recovery. He and his team use a respectful, evidence-based approach to guide the conversation, encouraging people to accept their need for treatment.
Preparation is vital if you’re considering organizing an intervention for a loved one. Contact us today to learn more about how we can facilitate a successful intervention and provide comprehensive treatment options.
