In the addiction recovery community, it used to be widely recognised that a person had to reach ‘rock bottom’ before receiving treatment. While this may still be true in some circumstances, research and experience have shown that this is not the case for everyone. By employing an ‘intervention’ method, we can now assist some addicts in confronting their problems before they reach that rock bottom stage.
The intervention is a carefully orchestrated method of persuasion aimed at breaking through the wall of denial that many alcoholics and drug addicts construct. When it works, it encourages the addict to seek treatment, go to drug or alcohol rehab, and recover. Compare Rehab UK can help with interventions. We can both advise you on how to conduct one and connect you with a trained counsellor who can lead the way.
One of the most effective ways to assist a friend or loved one battling addiction is to stage an intervention. By participating in this process, you exhibit your genuine concern for someone else’s health and well-being. That may be enough to persuade the alcoholic or drug addict to stop avoiding their problems and seek treatment to address them.
Don’t go through the process of recovery alone. Treatment providers can answer your questions. Get in touch with one today.
Call 0800 999 1083 today!
You might be wondering what method to use while doing an intervention at this stage. There isn’t necessarily a right or incorrect method, but professionals in the field support two schools of thought.
The first technique is to look at the addict from the perspective of how their addiction is causing personal harm. One person may discuss how drugs or alcohol damage the addict’s health, while another may discuss the addict’s psychological and emotional damage. Another person might discuss social isolation and other observations.
This initial strategy aims to assist the addict in recognising how their addictive behaviour is harming them. The objective is that the addict will finally see they are destroying themselves. This information may persuade the individual to consent to treatment.
The second school of thinking looks at addiction from the perspective of how it affects other people. A spouse, for example, might speak to an addicted partner to convey the financial, emotional, and mental agony that addiction has created. If they are older, children may approach a parent to explain how the addiction impacts them. Close friends may express their dissatisfaction with the addict’s behaviour by stating that they no longer want to be around them.
Because each person’s addiction is unique, each intervention should be tailored to that person’s needs. There are nine different types of intervention models that can be used to plan and build a successful intervention.
To choose the suitable model for the person who needs help, it’s necessary to understand how each one works, what types of addictions it can help with, and what scenarios it can help with.
These are some of the models:
The inviting method for intervention differs from various intervention methods in that it eliminates the element of surprise. Typically, a selected loved one will inform the individual suffering from substance abuse, compulsive gambling, or binge eating disorder about the planned intervention and invite them to come.
When this paradigm is used, the individual suffering from addiction is completely aware of the situation and can avoid feeling attacked and defensive. While using this strategy can boost a person’s openness to listen to counsel, there is a risk that they will refuse to meet for the intervention because they have the choice of not doing so.
This is the most widely used intervention model. Unlike the invitation model, the Johnson model employs the element of surprise to ensure that the addicted person attends the intervention. This strategy is beneficial for people in denial about their addiction and hesitant to talk about it.
Those that employ the Johnson model talk openly and honestly about the addict’s dependence and behaviour, but they should avoid making the addict feel ashamed. Individuals who are made to feel ashamed of their difficulties are more prone to become defensive, refuse treatment, or relapse.
Many of the same strategies are used in the field intervention model, which is based on the Johnson model. A professional interventionist trained in dealing with crises during interventions is present in this strategy. The interventionist also examines the person’s suicide risk or propensity for violence and advises the family during an intervention.
Individuals who are a danger to themselves or others due to depression, suicidal thoughts, or bipolar disorder are the most usual targets for this type of intervention.
The systemic family model emphasises the reality that persons who are substance dependent can live their lives without drugs or alcohol. When families take this approach, they frequently discuss addiction as a community problem rather than a problem that only the addict has. When using the systemic family model, the impact of the person’s addiction on their family and friends should also be considered.
Because this method does not blame the person for their situation, it reduces the likelihood of them becoming defensive and refusing therapy.
Although explicit penalties are outlined during the interaction if the client refuses to undertake treatment, the tough love technique is comparable to the Johnson model. The degree of the addiction and its impact on the individual’s family and friends might determine the severity of the repercussions. Taking custody of the addict’s children, ordering the addict to leave the house, or refusing any additional financial aid are examples of these consequences.
Because the intervention approach is generally just that: a discussion in which people confront a loved one about their behaviour, all interventions involve some form of confrontation.
As a result, the confrontational method is a long-established and conventional strategy that needs the intervention subject to be completely uninformed of the intervention until it takes place. The person being addressed must then listen to the intervention group members as they explain their frustrations and make the demand that the subject is treated. When the confrontational strategy is used, the person may be escorted to a treatment facility straight away.
Traumatic or dangerous crises, such as an overdose, may occur in some forms of addiction. The addicted person may be unable to employ their coping methods efficiently during or after the crisis. Crisis intervention is essential in this situation.
Crisis intervention is a quick, short-term response to a crisis that supports the restoration of psychological function and avoids long-term stress. Understanding the person’s typical coping methods, confronting their feelings, and investigating alternative solutions to construct a therapy plan are all part of this strategy.
In contrast to other intervention strategies, the motivational interviewing approach is arranged in a format that is more similar to a counselling session. This strategy focuses on the individual and their personal difficulties rather than tackling the person’s addiction from a group perspective.
Instead of reprimanding the patient, the interventionist uses motivational interviewing to listen to the person’s perspective and offer empathy and assistance to inspire positive behavioural adjustments.
An ARISE intervention is an intervention that tries to assist both the addict and their family. Addiction is frequently considered a family disease because it affects not only the addict but also everyone who cares about them.
The person is completely involved from the outset, and their emotional and mental needs are met throughout the process. This strategy gives the person the feeling that they are in charge of their addiction and have control over it.
It’s critical to determine whether the addict has already sought professional assistance from a counsellor or psychologist. While confidentiality regulations prevent a professional already involved from discussing the specifics of any discussions with their client, they can usually indicate whether intervention is appropriate, likely to work and whether they would like to be directly involved.
Before the intervention, it’s critical to find an appropriate rehabilitation facility or programme that can accept the addict immediately following the intervention.
The intervention itself should happen in a place where the addict feels safe and unthreatened, and it should include as many of the affected parties as appropriate. Even children who are directly affected can be included if you believe they are mature enough to understand the discussions and will not be traumatised.
However, a lot of preparation has to be done first. Everyone involved in the intervention should obtain intervention training to prevent the potential of anger or resentment from overshadowing the positive messages of love and support that are ultimately the goal of the session.
As a result, a reasonable, well-thought-out strategy is required. Everyone involved in the intervention should make notes on what they wish to say ahead of time, including details such as:
It’s tempting to invite every family member to an intervention, but this isn’t always a wise decision, especially if one or two members of the family have a strained relationship with the person who needs help. The last thing your addicted loved one wants is to be judged by a family member with whom they don’t get along, so think twice before inviting other family members to attend.
It’s better if your addicted loved one has people they respect and love. You might want to enlist the help of close friends or a family physician. Don’t be tempted to invite too many people because this may make your addicted loved one feel intimidated and attacked. However, interviewing too few individuals could also be a mistake because you want your loved ones to realise that their actions have far-reaching consequences.
While younger children should probably be kept away from an intervention, older children, particularly teens, are incredibly effective at bringing addicted family members into treatment.
There are certain crucial steps to follow when planning an intervention to aid a loved one battling substance or behavioural addiction.
To be successful and effective, interventions must be meticulously planned. An impromptu intervention can cause havoc, and the addict is likely to grow defensive and refuse aid. When preparing an intervention, keep in mind who will be present, whether it is family, friends, or professionals, the location of the intervention, and the type of intervention plan that will be employed.
It’s also critical to be prepared for the possibility that the person would refuse therapy to carry out a well-planned intervention. In this circumstance, deciding on an ultimatum or backup plan to persuade the individual to make the correct decision and seek help is critical.
Another critical aspect of delivering an effective intervention is being well-informed. Understanding the type of addiction the person is dealing with is crucial because the more the intervention group knows about the condition and how it affects their loved one, the more support, guidance, and valuable advice they can provide.
The most effective strategy for a person to overcome addiction is to choose a suitable rehabilitation facility and treatment approach. In order to select the best treatment strategy, you must first understand their specific difficulties and who they are as individuals. Furthermore, being informed about various treatment programmes and methodologies might aid in implementing a successful intervention.
In many circumstances, family and friends are insufficient to persuade someone battling an addiction to seek treatment, and a professional is required. The type of interventionist a family picks will be determined by the type of addiction their loved one is dealing with. Addiction counsellors, intervention specialists, and mental health counsellors are the most widely used.
The professional hired as an interventionist must have the necessary credentials and qualifications. Rehabilitation centres and mental health programmes are good places to look for these professionals.
It’s critical to choose the right people to be there for the intervention. Those picked to be a part of an intervention team should be truly worried and concerned about the individual and calm and collected. If there are too many individuals there or those who may cause the person to react negatively, the person may feel assaulted or shamed and, as a result, act defensively or aggressively.
It’s also good to have a professional there because they may provide in-depth knowledge and insight that friends and family may not.
Each group member should be aware of their position in the intervention and the issues they must address. If the intervention team members have well-rehearsed stories and experiences about how the addict has affected them, it might assist the addict in reaching a point of clarity.
Furthermore, an unstructured session is unlikely to help persuade someone to seek therapy. As a result, the team must clearly understand the conversation order.
The team must invite the person to the meeting once the intervention has been carefully planned. During the discussion, team members should take turns expressing their personal feelings and emotions about the individual and their addiction and how they want them to change.
The person should then be given a therapy option to choose from, which they must accept right away. Consequences or ultimatums can be threatened if the individual refuses to undergo rehabilitation.
Indeed, you can’t force an addict to seek treatment if they don’t want to, but you can try an intervention.
Family members and friends will speak directly to the addicted individual about how their condition is hurting them throughout the intervention. Due to this one person’s addiction, every person will express their anguish and suffering. It may appear as though everyone is ganging up on the addict, but this is not how it should work. Many family members will ask a professional facilitator to lead the meeting so that the addicted family member or friend does not feel intimidated or bullied.
Interventions are incredibly effective, with most addicts agreeing to seek help. While not all interventions are efficient and useful, they are extremely beneficial for family members who will be able to express their feelings and know that they gave it their all.
You may be thinking if an intervention is a wise choice as a worried friend or family member of an addicted loved one. If the addicted individual continues to drink or use drugs even though it harms them, and they have refused all of your attempts to help them, an intervention may be the best option.
You may also be debating whether or not to seek professional help from a counsellor or therapist; your decision will be based on your particular situation. If you believe your family is stable and the individual with the addiction does not have a history of violent or aggressive behaviour, you may be able to stage the intervention without the assistance of others.
If you’re concerned that your loved one may try to manipulate the situation or get defensive and confrontational, a professional facilitator can assist keep things on track and increase the odds of a successful outcome.
The benefit of interventions is that they have a high rate of success. A substantial number of interventions result in the addict committing to treatment, and even those that do not, can be beneficial because they often plant a seed for the future.
Even if the addict flatly refuses to seek help, they may begin to consider the impact of their actions on the people they care about, making them more receptive to the notion of treatment. After an intervention, family members frequently feel relieved because they can finally tell the addicted person how they feel and how the addiction impacts them.
Thinking of an intervention is a tough and emotional decision that is frequently made as a last resort when casual discussions and gentle encouragement to seek help have failed. It’s challenging to recognise when an intervention is required, and interpreting this correctly will increase the chances of a successful one.
Increased tolerance for alcohol or drugs, a change in looks, mood swings, hostility, and a decline in health are common signs that a person’s addiction is getting out of hand.
Other less evident indicators of a developing addiction include clandestine behaviour, legal or financial problems, excessive borrowing of money, problems at work or school, a lack of ambition, and an increasing indifference to formerly enjoyed activities.
If a person exhibits one or more of these typical signs, they may be losing control of their lives due to addiction. Intervening is recommended in this situation.
Anxiety, guilt, and humiliation are common feelings associated with compulsive behaviour and addiction. As a result, it is usual for people who are suffering to become secretive and hide their behaviour from friends and loved ones. As a result, hidden behaviour is extremely risky. If someone is suffering in silence, their disorder is more likely to deteriorate or perhaps lead to overdosing.
Enhanced emotions, such as unrestrained wrath, irritation, and defensiveness, are common symptoms of secretive behaviour. It’s crucial to recognise heightened emotions regarding triggering themes as an indicator of secretive behaviour.
Requesting a loan might be perfectly innocent, and it’s something that close family and friends do all the time. However, it’s crucial to recognise when borrowing money is a clue that something isn’t quite right.
Many addictions, such as gambling and drug misuse, are costly. The more severe an addiction grows, the more likely a person participates in that behaviour, resulting in even more spending. When someone is addicted to something, it frequently becomes the central focus of their lives, and the perceived necessity to sustain their habit leads them to look for money in any way they can.
Substance addiction, as previously said, frequently takes over a person’s life, and funding their habit becomes their primary focus. As a result, many people spend all of their money and savings on drugs and alcohol, resulting in significant debt and catastrophic financial difficulties.
When an individual’s savings have been depleted by addiction, and they can no longer afford to sustain their habit on their own, they frequently resort to theft, fraud, or other forms of crime to supplement their income.
Unprecedented aggressiveness is frequently a symptom of a person’s embarrassment, fear, or discomfort over their addiction or compulsive behaviour. For those suffering from addiction, talking about it can be extremely difficult, and being questioned about it can feel like an attack or accusation, causing them to become unnecessarily defensive.
Furthermore, if a person is addicted to drugs, the substance they are misusing likely has a side effect that causes violence. Many substances, including stimulants and alcohol, cause aggression as a side effect.
Mood swings in relation to gambling, food, or substance addiction might be triggered by the anxiety and stress a person feels about their addiction, and their shift in mood could be a defence strategy, similar to unexplained violence.
If the person is addicted to a substance, mood swings could be a side effect of the drug. Many drugs produce ‘highs,’ which can make a person feel unusually calm or euphoric, and while these can be considered positive sensations, they are still a cause for concern if they result from drug addiction. Furthermore, hallucinogenic substances can produce frequent mood fluctuations as a direct side effect.
Addiction can overwhelm a person’s life to the point that they are only concerned with feeding or concealing their addiction. This obsession can cause people to lose interest in their former hobbies and become indifferent to social situations. Additionally, if a person tries to hide their addiction, they may intentionally isolate themselves from loved ones to keep their secret hidden.
Certain drugs can also create changes in the brain, causing people to lose interest in social activities and other life pursuits.
A drastic change in appearance might also indicate addiction or compulsive behaviour progression. It is critical to respond if this occurs, as it may be an early symptom of depression as a result of addiction or obsessive behaviour. When a person’s addiction consumes them, it becomes the centre of their universe, and physical appearance and hygiene typically take a back priority.
Patients with compulsive eating disorders may gain a substantial amount of weight. However, for those who suffer from a binge-eating disorder, the topic of weight gain can be triggering and should be treated with caution to prevent exacerbating the problem.
Addiction, in any form, has the potential to induce mental health problems in those who are affected. Early warning indications of depression, which could be caused by addiction, include a dull appearance and a lack of motivation.
Certain drugs, such as marijuana and narcotic painkillers, can also create a lack of motivation. As a result, people may be hesitant to seek drug treatment.
Addiction frequently has a negative impact on productive aspects of a person’s life. School or job take up the majority of a person’s day in most circumstances, and as a result, they are frequently the first aspects of their lives to be badly impacted.
It is normal for people suffering from addiction to be late for or miss school or work regularly and to neglect their duties as their addiction takes precedence. Job or academic performance is frequently harmed.
Substance addiction, gambling, and binge eating are all very common causes of physical and mental health problems.
This issue is especially important for those who misuse prescription medicines because they are frequently prescribed medication to help or prevent a preexisting health problem. Abuse of these drugs can cause new health problems and exacerbate existing ones.
Also, alcoholism has been linked to liver disease, cancer, and strokes, while binge-eating behaviour can lead to weight gain and obesity, and drug misuse can lead to lethal overdoses.
The more a person consumes a substance, the higher their tolerance increases, requiring them to consume more of that substance to achieve the same effect. Addicts frequently increase the amount of alcohol and drugs they consume due to this. However, as a person’s intake of harmful substances increases, the chance of overdosing rises, requiring intervention.
If you require our assistance, we at Compare Rehab UK are ready to aid you with an intervention. We have a lot of expertise with families dealing with various addiction issues. If a friend or family member is suffering from alcoholism, drug addiction, or any other type of behavioural addiction, please contact us immediately.
If you decide to conduct your own intervention, keep the following points in mind:
Finally, we want you to be aware that treatments do not always work the first time. Families may need to attempt two or three times before they eventually succeed. We at Compare Rehab UK are here to assist you. Please get in touch with us to find out more about how we can help you. Don’t let the repercussions of addiction pull your family or friends apart any longer.
Keep in mind that strong emotions accompany your loved one’s addiction. Even among family and friends who are aware that your loved one requires assistance, the process of planning the intervention and the intervention itself can produce tension, rage, and resentment. Here are some tips to support the execution of a successful intervention:
Addiction can cause an addict to try to manipulate relatives, acquaintances, and coworkers in numerous ways, typically to fuel the addiction, as anyone close to an addict will confirm. As a result, an addict may pretend that they want help. Here are a few examples:
When an addict has these reactions to intervention, it’s because they haven’t fully comprehended the consequences of their addiction. Because it’s often difficult to spot the manipulation for what it is, everyone involved in the addiction intervention must keep the promises they made at the start: not to help the addict continue the cycle by providing even the most basic necessities – until after the treatment process has begun.
Don’t go through the process of recovery alone. Treatment providers can answer your questions. Get in touch with one today.
Call 0800 999 1083 today!
Regrettably, not every intervention is successful. Your addicted loved one may refuse to follow the treatment plan in some situations. They may become enraged and refuse to help, or they may become bitter and accuse you of betrayal or hypocrisy.
Prepare yourself emotionally for these scenarios while keeping hopeful for a happy outcome. If your loved one refuses to accept treatment, be ready to stick to your suggested adjustments.
Because of alcohol and drug problems, children, partners, siblings, and parents are frequently subjected to abuse, aggression, threats, and emotional turmoil. You have no control over the actions of a loved one who is addicted. You do, however, have the power to withdraw yourself — and any children — from a potentially dangerous situation.
Even if an intervention fails, you and others involved in your loved one’s life can make adjustments that may be beneficial. Ask other persons involved to take active efforts to inspire good change rather than enabling the destructive loop of conduct.
If friends and family members become overly emotional while putting together a DIY intervention, they can seek help from a professional interventionist, social worker, therapist, or another counsellor at any moment. They may request that the individual lead the intervention or simply seek advice on preparing for the event. Professional support can be incredibly advantageous at any level, as an outside perspective can help steer the process to the best possible finish while keeping everyone focused.
In some cases, engaging a specialist is absolutely necessary. If the person who is the topic of the intervention has demonstrated any of the following, professional interventionists are highly recommended:
A professional interventionist might be found in a variety of ways:
Or can also call Compare Rehab UK to receive free advice and support in finding an intervention specialist.
Binge eating, gambling, alcoholism, and drug abuse may have devastating consequences for both the addict and their loved ones. It can be challenging to decide to hold an intervention, yet it is typically the turning point in addiction treatment. People may respond negatively at first, but it is frequently the kindest thing relatives and friends can do in the long term.
If you need assistance planning an intervention for a loved one, call Compare Rehab UK on 0800 999 1083 for confidential help and to discuss their treatment options.
BACP accredited psychotherapist with 16 years experience working in mental health specialising in psychodynamic person-centred therapies treating those with a range of mental health disorders including anxiety, depression, OCD and Addiction.
Fill in your details and we’ll send you a message via SMS.
No matter where you live, there are drug and alcohol rehab options for you to discover. Treatment providers are waiting to answer your questions. Get started today.
In our journey towards health and well-being, we often encounter a crossroads between medical treatment and lifestyle choices. The intersection of antibiotics and alcohol is one such area that demands our attention and understanding. Antibiotics, powerful agents against bacterial infections, operate within our bodies to eradicate harmful pathogens. However, when alcohol enters the … Continued
The term addictive personality is often used to describe someone who seems prone to repeated patterns of addictive behaviour. Although it’s not an official psychiatric diagnosis, understanding this concept is crucial in comprehending addiction. It refers to a set of characteristics that may increase the risk of developing addictive behaviours for an individual. In … Continued
By Ana
Embarking on the path to recovery from addiction often involves seeking support from rehabilitation centres, commonly known as “rehab.” This article aims to provide an in-depth exploration of rehabilitation, elucidating the types of rehab centres available in the UK, and delineating the specific programmes tailored for drug addiction and alcoholism, supported by pertinent facts, statistics, … Continued
By Ana
Rehabilitation serves as a beacon of hope for individuals navigating the complexities of recovery. In its essence, rehabilitation represents a transformative journey, encompassing physical, psychological, and social aspects to restore individuals’ well-being. Its significance reverberates across diverse fields, from healthcare to social reintegration, reshaping lives and fostering resilience. Exploring the Meaning of Rehabilitation … Continued