It can be heartbreaking watching someone you love struggle with a substance use disorder (SUD), especially if they will not admit they have a problem and do not want to get help. If your loved one is losing themselves to addiction, an intervention might be the solution that encourages them to finally agree to get the help that they desperately need. 

These days, the term intervention is used somewhat loosely, and you may not understand its true definition. An intervention is not something that should be rushed haphazardly. Rather, it should be a carefully planned and thought out interaction organized by those closest to the individual struggling with addiction. You and everyone involved should be committed to the intervention plan and have the individual’s best interest at the forefront.

Understanding What an Intervention Is

An intervention is a carefully planned event where you and those close to an individual struggling with addiction calmly confront them about their SUD and consequent actions and behaviors. In many cases, this process is most effective when done alongside the guidance of an addiction specialist, counselor, or some type of medical professional. Typically, one person leads this process, gathering family and friends together while leading the conversation and keeping things on track, organized, and neutral. 

The goal of an intervention is to help your loved one struggling with a SUD recognize how their substance abuse is impacting their own lives and the lives of those around them. If the process goes as planned, the desired result is that the individual agrees to seek treatment. 

The Steps of an Intervention

Some essential steps that help guide the intervention process and ensure that it goes as smoothly as possible include:

Seeking help from a professional.

If you are unsure where to start, consider contacting a counselor or medical professional that can help guide the process. In some cases, this individual is present during the intervention, while in other cases, they simply provide detailed guidance on how to carry out the operation. This is also the timeframe when those closest to the individual are notified and invited to take part in the intervention. 

Find your intervention team.

The next step is to form a team of individuals closest to your loved one. This is a set group of people who will be present during the intervention. Typically this includes close friends, family members, and anyone dedicated to helping the individual take back control of their life. 

It is important to note that there are some people that should not be included in this group, including anyone who is actively dealing with substance use issues of their own or anyone who would likely become angry or aggressive during the intervention. This team should be strategic and purposeful. 

Make a plan.

It is critical to gather together and tailor a plan for your loved one prior to holding the event. This is when the details are finalized, such as when and where the intervention will be held and who will attend. In this stage, the group should decide what will be said by each person. 

Gather resources.

The next step is to gather resources and information to present the individual at the intervention. This includes the names and contact information for local treatment centers, information regarding payment plans, and the times and locations that local recovery groups meet. 

Prepare your speech.

Preparing an impact statement or personal letter to be read aloud is the next step in this process. Each message should discuss how much they care for the individual struggling with addiction and how much pain their addiction caused.

Execute the plan.

The next step is to hold the actual intervention during which each person will have a chance to read their impact statement. The individual with the SUD should also be given the opportunity to respond and share their thoughts. At the end of the intervention, they should be presented with the previously gathered recovery resources. 

Follow-through.

Hopefully, the individual agrees to seek the help that they need. If so, it is essential to follow up with them after the intervention and ensure they followed through on what they promised. In the event the individual refuses treatment, boundaries within their relationships with family and friends should be put into place. There must be some sort of consequence.

If your loved one does refuse addiction treatment, do not blame yourself. Ultimately, it is the individual’s choice whether or not they seek treatment. Being committed to getting clean and sober is the best chance at lasting recovery, so your loved one will need to come around first.

It can be agonizing to watch a loved one struggle with substance use, especially when they don’t realize they have a problem. If you have a family member losing themselves to addiction, they might benefit from an intervention; a carefully planned out process geared towards treatment. Those closest to the person struggling with SUD come together at the same time and calmly confront the individual about their substance use. The goal is to help them understand how their substance use affects those around them and convince them to seek treatment. This is often coordinated with the help of a counselor or someone who is trained in addiction recovery. At the end of the intervention, the person should be presented with recovery resources that they can use to get treatment. If you are struggling with a substance use disorder, our team at The Kimberly Center can help. Call (855) 452-3683 to learn more.