Intervention

Intervention is a process utilized when all other options have been exhausted in an attempt to help an individual overcome a serious problem such as drug or Alcohol Abuse/addiction. An intervention is a deliberate process by which change is introduced into peoples' thoughts, feelings and behaviors. It usually involves an intervention specialist as well several people preparing themselves, approaching a person involved in some self-destructive behavior, and talking to the person in a clear and respectful way about the behavior in question. The immediate objective is for the person to listen and accept help.

A drug or Alcohol Abuser usually does not know they are out of control. They look at their peers and their own drug or alcohol use appears normal in comparison. drug and Alcohol Abusers experience a lack of creativity, productivity, poor decisions, deteriorating relationships, and expensive mistakes. Far too often, alcoholics and drug addicts cannot make the right choice on their own to take action which will help them regain control of their lives. They need objective feedback on their behavior. Through a non-judgmental, non-critical, systematic process, intervention specialists help the drug or Alcohol Abuser confront the impact of their alcohol or drug abuse on themselves and others.

It is understandable that the decision to plan a drug or alcohol intervention for a friend or loved one can be painful. Many times there is an underlying deep fear. This may be a fear of confrontation, fear of rejection, and/or a fear that it won't work. Leaving loved ones with only more intensified feelings of hopelessness, anger, and frustration, while the addict continues their self-destructive actions. Intervention specialists can carefully plan an effective intervention. This can be the key component that helps the individual go from the downward spiral of Drug Addiction and on to the road of recovery. Keep in mind no matter what happens on intervention day, it will most certainly get the person's attention. If the person refuses to do what is requested, he/she nearly always changes for the better in some way, usually by accepting some form of help later: either later that same day, the next day, the next week, or the next month or two.

An Intervention specialist can help you in developing a plan of action suited to your individual circumstances. They can help your friend, coworker or loved one get their lives back in order and overcome drug or alcohol addiction. An effective Intervention will see that the addict receives the necessary treatment he/she needs and beyond.

It was once thought that alcohol and Drug Abusers had to "hit bottom" before help could be offered and accepted. If you are wait until the abusers hits "rock bottom" before you intervene, then you may be forced to watch them destroy their lives and deeply affect the lives of their families as well as others around them. It was also thought that an abuser could only get better if they were self-motivated to change. That is not always the case. Intervention can assist in the process of motivating the person to accept treatment for their drug or alcohol addiction.

The optimum time for an intervention is just after a major event, although it is important that the addict is sober at the time of the intervention. An example of such an event is if the person gets arrested, or when he/she has wronged (lied, stolen, cheated etc.) a person who has done these types of things will usually show emotions such as remorse or guilt. Another would be when a spouse is leaving them because of their addiction. Yet another would be after an overdose. Although you obviously don't want to risk the person's life by postponing forever, an intervention will be more effective after such events when the addict is down and feels like his/her life is in need of change.