You’ve grown tired of watching a friend or loved one struggling with addiction. You and others who are also concerned have gotten together to talk about staging an intervention. But what exactly does that mean, and how does an intervention help?
An intervention, simply as an expression of the depths of your caring and concern, can be a significant tool in moving your loved one to take action to end substance abuse. In the case of addiction, the purpose of an intervention is typically to get the person into addiction treatment. Georgia Addiction Treatment Center offers a number of treatment programs that can help.
What Is an Intervention?
Interventions are usually associated with substance abuse. But intervening in someone’s life can work with other behaviors. The basic idea behind an intervention is to motivate behavior changes for the better. It’s not about nagging, criticizing, or simply saying, “cut it out.” Staging an intervention requires work to connect the person you love to the resources they need for help.
The other purpose of an intervention is to show love and support – that the person has people behind them as they launch a new chapter.
Staging an Intervention
Stepping in to help a loved one struggling with addiction is hard. You don’t want to trigger a strong reaction that could make matters worse. That’s why an intervention may be a good choice for you and your loved one.
Some of the disorders that could require intervention include:
- Alcohol addiction
- Prescription drug abuse
- Illicit or “street” drug abuse
- Eating disorders
- Process addictions such as gambling or sex
Staging an intervention takes pre-planning. It may involve your loved one’s doctor or representative of a faith community. Participants should figure out the role each will play. The goal is to highlight examples of how things are spiraling out of control and their impact on friends and family.
Be ready with a treatment plan. Once your loved one commits to getting help, you want to move forward immediately.
The Treatment Process
One of the main goals of an intervention is to motivate your loved one to seek treatment. Understandably, your friend or loved one will have questions and concerns. Knowing how treatment works can help ease their concerns.
The road to recovery starts with a thorough physical and psychological assessment, so doctors have a clear picture of the patient’s physical health. The information from the assessment will be crucial in developing a comprehensive treatment plan.
Next, the patient begins detoxification or detox. During detox, the patient weans off the drugs or alcohol carefully. Doctors will monitor and treat withdrawal symptoms.
Then comes counseling, where the patient works with an addiction therapist to understand the dynamics of their life and build coping skills. Lastly, the aftercare stage provides resources such as ongoing counseling and peer support groups to reduce the risk of relapse.
Your willingness to stage an intervention could be the trigger to profound changes.
Intervening in Addiction at Georgia Addiction Treatment Center
Substance abuse is a dangerous, chronic condition that results in a cycle of dependence. Sometimes the trigger for change comes when someone steps up to demonstrate they care by staging an intervention. After that, connecting them with Georgia Addiction Treatment Center or a rehab close to their home will make all the difference. We provide outpatient treatment for drug and alcohol abuse, process addictions, and co-occurring disorders. The Georgia Addiction Treatment Staff is made up of caring doctors and therapists who understand the pain of addiction and what steps to take to help you through it. Count on us for partial hospitalization programs, intensive outpatient treatment programs, and other treatment programs in a safe, secure and comfortable environment. Help your loved one find a way forward. Contact Georgia Addiction Treatment Center at [Direct] for a consultation and to schedule a visit.
