Intervention
From Drug Rehab Wiki
An intervention is a well-organized, carefully constructed, and effective approach for confronting an individual with a substance abuse problem as a way to motivate the individual to seek treatment for their addiction. There are several models of intervention that can all produce positive outcomes, such as family intervention, medical intervention, legal intervention, and job intervention. Most commonly, the family intervention model is utilized under the instruction and supervision of a professional interventionist who is usually a trained counselor or medical advisor.
Intervention may be one of the most effective strategies in aiding a person engaged in substance abuse since addiction is usually accompanied by the abuser’s denial of the disorder and refusal of help. Most abusers are unable to realize the extent of their abuse; the gravity of the damage being caused to themselves; and their position in the home, workplace, and society at whole. The longer the abuse continues, however, the stronger the addiction will become and the harsher the consequences are.
Often, it is already too late before abusers understand that they need treatment for their chemical dependence—they may have already lost their job, their loved ones, their home, etc., and the physical need for the substance is overwhelmingly out of control.
Addiction is a chronic disease that will progress to serious or fatal consequences if treatment is not administered. The substance abuse may have been brought on by the onset of multiple personal crises, but the addiction takes precedence over anything else since it serves as a contributing factor in these personal matters. People closest to the abuser tend to enable the addict because they feel compelled to protect the abuser; however, this does more harm than good as it allows the abuse to continue, be deemed as acceptable behavior, and worsen overtime. Addiction is a treatable disease if the proper support is sought and followed through.
It is important to understand that intervention is not punishment; it requires careful consideration, compassion, dedication, and guidance. Loved ones who participate in the intervention will learn about the disease afflicting the addicted person and its treatment, become trained in non-judgmental confrontation, and receive direction by the certified counselor throughout the entire intervention procedure.
The pre-evaluation done by the counselor and family members is needed to determine if intervention is even appropriate for the presented circumstance. Some family members may not be suitable for participation in an intervention (such as those who have a history of violence, are abusers themselves, are not geographically available, or are too emotionally biased), and the goal of influencing acceptance of treatment may backfire. If considering intervention procedures, a family must stick to the guidelines and diagnosis assessed by the counselor.
Intervention will be considered based upon several objectives: if the person’s use of the substance has grown into an addiction that significantly affects his or her life; if denial of the substance abuse and refusal of help is present; if the abuser is unlikely to ever seek help on their own; if the abuser is surrounded by an environment that encourages the substance abuse—whether by positive reinforcement such as that from peers, or the masking effect caused by the family’s enabling of the disease; and if a genuine amount of love and concern is present in the family and dedication to supporting the treatment is guaranteed.
Anger and resentment toward the addicted person for their drug habit will only lessen the effectiveness of intervention and can bolster the abuser’s defense mechanisms for continuing his or her using. Intervention is not a confrontation to point out the individual’s mistakes and faults; rather, it is the positive encouragement from the individual’s loved ones who are willing to show concern for the addicted person’s chronic disease. By creating a comforting approach for transition into substance abuse treatment, the intervention is likely to influence the addicted person into taking that first step toward recovery.
In many cases, the interventionist facilitates not only the intervention itself, but the choice of drug rehab. Many intervention specialists also do case management and will work with the treatment program during the patient's stay, help develop an aftercare plan, and work with any other parties involved (such as attorneys, courts, employers).
