A drug intervention can be the best approach for getting your loved one into a treatment program. While success cannot be guaranteed, there are reasons an intervention is often the most effective method.
If you need help staging a drug abuse or addiction intervention in the Pennsylvania area, call out toll free hotline 800-281-9728. Our specialists are available 24 hours a day to take your call. Whether you are sure you need to help a loved one, or just have any kind of question, we’re here for you.
From the coast of California to the sandy New Jersey shores and everywhere in between – including right here - many family members of addicts approach their loved one on a one-to-one basis. One reason this rarely produces good results is an individual who is addicted to drugs is not likely to listen to one person. He may think you have something to gain personally, or not believe he has a drug problem at all.
Gathering a small group of people together for an intervention increases the chance that he will listen. It will be very difficult for him to dismiss what everyone is saying to him when everyone is saying the same thing.
Another reason a gathering like this is the best approach is one-on-one communications can become very emotional. If you are extremely upset, afraid, or hurt, your loved one may simply argue, laugh, or walk away.
A well-planned drug intervention is calm and rational. Regardless of how deeply you have been affected by his drug addiction, the ability to remain calm during the confrontation means keeping the situation under control.
A third reason one-on-one talks rarely work is they often include empty threats. If you make empty threats to your loved one, he will not take you seriously. He will know you either cannot or will not follow through with whatever you are saying to him.
Drug interventions present options instead of threats. Not only is this a more rational approach, your loved one will see that he has options. Rather than making empty threats that you will later regret, you are offering him reasonable alternatives. He will see the decision is in his own hands.
The option of a drug treatment program should be presented in a positive way. Your loved one should not see agreeing to treatment as giving up, giving in, or a punishment for his drug addiction. Instead, you can present him with the facts and details about everything he stands to gain from a treatment program. This can encourage him to want the help he desperately needs.
He must also be presented with an alternative to treatment. The consequences you decide on should be in your best interest as well as his best interests. The general idea of consequences is he must take responsibility for himself if he refuses to start a treatment program.
You can present consequences depending on how your loved one’s drug addiction has affected you and the other people who participate in the intervention. Whether the effects have been financial, personal, or some other category, the intervention is your opportunity to let him know you are distancing yourself from the entire situation.
In many instances, the shock of being responsible for himself is enough for an addict to make the right decision. If he sees numerous other people in his life are backing you up, he will know you are serious.
The outcome of an intervention is for your loved one to make a decision, and take full responsibility for it. If his decision is to avoid treatment, being in the position of taking responsibility for himself may cause him to change his mind. If he does agree to a treatment program, be prepared to help him every step of the way.
A drug treatment program can appear frightening or negative to someone who knows nothing about it. Make sure you have as much information as possible before you stage the intervention. When you can tell your loved one everything he can expect during his treatment program, he will be more likely to comply. Your drug intervention in Pennsylvania can succeed.
