Interventions for alcohol and drug addictions are a process of convincing a family member, friend, or co-worker that they need help for their alcohol or drug use disorder. An intervention is designed to work through the challenge of ‘denial,’ which all addicts and alcoholics carry. The ultimate goal of this approach is to motivate the individual to go to treatment to recover. Many interventions are successful, but many are not, and can also cause more damage. Interventions are emotional situations and can push the person to rebel, use more drugs or alcohol, and make other self-destructive plans. It is recommended that families, friends, or employers receive professional assistance to conduct an intervention.
AMONG THE 38.4 MILLION PEOPLE AGED 12 OR OLDER IN 2020 WITH AN ADDICTION WHO DID NOT RECEIVE TREATMENT AT A SPECIALTY FACILITY, 97.5 PERCENT OF THEM DID NOT FEEL THAT THEY NEEDED TREATMENT. (SAMHSA)
Who Is Qualified To Conduct An Intervention?
The most experienced person to assist in an intervention is a substance use disorder counselor. Licensed counselors are trained to gently persuade someone to accept help for their addictions. Additionally, a professional counselor will also limit the confrontational tone during the interventions. Families are especially prone to accusing the addict and making threats. A qualified counselor will prepare all members ahead of time on what to say and how to say it. It is a matter of life or death that the individual who is being asked to go to treatment not be frightened off or have an emotional breakdown and go back to using or drinking.
Aria Florida has decades of experience showing addicts/alcoholics that they can be helped at a drug and alcohol rehab.
What Does An Intervention Look Like?
Interventions involve family members, friends, and sometimes employers to be gathered together at the same time to talk to the person who needs help. Before this meeting, the concerned parties prepare what they want to say to the person, and the counselor first reviews what they will say. Once the intervention starts, the counselor will acknowledge the signs and symptoms of their addiction. Then he or she will recommend programs that will be appealing to the individual. An intervention is not an event; it is a process that can often require several attempts. Ideally, the intervention will persuade the person to go to rehab without ultimatums being said.
Turning up the pain or tough love is not an effective method for helping someone end their addictions.
What Types Of Interventions Work?
According to the Association of Intervention Specialists, there are three main types of interventions. Most counselors will rely on one or all three methods to help the person become willing to go to rehab. The three intervention types include:
- Johnson Method (counselor led intervention)
- Family Systemic Model (Family and counselor led intervention)
- Community Reinforcement and Family Training (CRAFT)
What Types Of Interventions Get Someone To Rehab?
The Association of Interventionists state that the CRAFT method is preferred as it helps the family members and the addict the most. The National Institutes of Health describe Craft and explain its relationship to CRA, or Community Reinforcement Approach.
“THE CRAFT METHOD TARGETS PEOPLE WHO REFUSE TO SEEK TREATMENT FOR SUBSTANCE-ABUSE PROBLEMS. DERIVED FROM THE OPERANT-BASED FUNDAMENTALS OF CRA, CRAFT DECIDEDLY DOES NOT PRESSURE THESE INDIVIDUALS TO ATTEND TREATMENT. INSTEAD, IT OPERATES INDIRECTLY AND GENTLY THROUGH A CONCERNED FAMILY MEMBER, CALLED THE CONCERNED SIGNIFICANT OTHER (CSO) IN THE PROGRAM. CRAFT THERAPISTS SHOW CSOS HOW TO CHANGE THE HOME ENVIRONMENT OF THE TREATMENT-RESISTANT INDIVIDUAL TO REWARD BEHAVIORS THAT PROMOTE SOBRIETY AND WITHHOLD REWARDS WHEN THE INDIVIDUAL IS USING DRUGS OR ALCOHOL.” (NIH)
Where To Get Professional Help For An Intervention Today?
Aria in Florida helps get even the most chronic addict or alcoholic into rehab. We focus on personalizing the individual’s treatment program to be appealing and effective. We engage family members and friends to support the individual’s recovery while in treatment. The process of intervention does require time and professional guidance. We have addiction counselors who go above and beyond to help addicts and alcoholics find the desire to change. Call us now to discuss intervention and the next steps need to be.
We can provide the steps to help your loved one into treatment right now in one phone call.