Interventions are oftentimes the last resort for the families and friends of an addict. They are planned when an addict seems dangerously close to causing irreversible damage to their life, and nothing else has worked. An addict may not be able to admit the issue, and also may not want to receive treatment.
Often people who are caught up in addiction purposely ignore that they are not only hurting themselves, but the people around them who are witnessing the descent. An intervention is a deeply emotional event, and the addict may initially feel cornered, but when an addiction has deeply crippled a person, this type of drastic action is needed.
People sometimes need to be confronted with the truth, before they will finally admit the harmful effects of their behavior.
Enacting Change Through A United Front
The reason why interventions can work when nothing else has, is because it may be the first time that family and friends have joined together to enact change. Brought together for one purpose, an addict will have to truly face how much hurt and pain the addiction has caused.
By being forced to face all at the same time everyone who is important, then the importance of the situation is truly realized. This is the positive impact of an intervention: it strips away the artifice of formalities and brings people together to show what love and commitment can achieve.
People who are addicts can sometimes be manipulative and, in an intervention setting, they can no longer perform the manipulations that may have worked before to excuse their behavior.
How An Intervention Is Planned
An intervention has to be carefully planned, and it’s important for whoever is organizing the intervention, to build a team of the people who are closest and mean the most to the addict. And, most likely, those who care about the individual are more than willing to take part in the intervention.
Below are the steps that are taken when someone plans an intervention.
- Gathering the intervention team together
- Consulting with a professional
- Planning the written statements
- Conducting the meeting
As mentioned before, because the addict may feel backed into a corner, it’s crucial that an intervention professional who isn’t emotionally involved is present to mediate the meeting. It’s also important for everyone at the meeting to write a letter to the addict. This way they can eloquently communicate their feelings towards the addict, instead of communication breaking down because of the emotions being conveyed.
And while the addict may feel confronted, an intervention is also an act of love, one that shows the individual how much people care and want to help. This can also prove to be a motivating factor for the addict to get help
The Desired Result in Interventions
Ultimately what the positive impact of the intervention can do is convince the addict to attend rehab. The team may even have to give the addict ultimatums such as breaking off contact unless the addict gets help. This can spur attending a treatment center, because of how terrible the consequences of continuing the addiction can be.
When someone finally becomes serious about recovery, then over time positive things can happen. Although they most likely won’t happen overnight, over time relationships can be rebuilt, a person’s professional career can be pursued, and most of all, a death over an overdose can be avoided. An intervention is a unique combination of people close to an addict and an addiction professional coming together to enact change that is more powerful when united.
And during the journey of recovery the people who attend the intervention meeting should continue to offer love and support to the addict. It should be remembered that it’s never too late for people to change their lives, and interventions prove that to be the case.
