Consulting with an interventionist is an excellent way to stage a drug intervention. This person can provide much valuable information, advice, and support. If you have some ideas about the questions to ask, it can help you choose an interventionist who is a good match for you.
For immediate assistance with a drug addiction intervention in the Massachusetts area dial 800-281-9728 to speak with one of our substance abuse counselors. Our drug abuse hotline is available 24 hours a day and we’re here to help you or a loved one in any way we can.
Drug abuse interventionists are not all alike. First, take note of the way the person relates to you. Although he is trained for his job, and may have a great deal of experience with addicts, he should treat you with respect. This includes being willing to communicate with you about all aspects of the meeting with your loved one. Does the specialist understand the type of drugs your loved one has a problem with? For example, your particular family member’s addiction to stimulants may be different from an addiction to a completely different type of drug.
Second, ask about his approach to addicts during these gatherings. While interventionists should be professional, firm, and kind, you do not want to hire someone who will bully your loved one. An intervention should be as positive as possible.
Third, ask about the information he has for treatment centers. He should be able to provide enough information for you to make an informed choice. An intervention specialist should not insist your loved one go to one particular center. The final decision should be left up to you.
Fourth, if he is unable to be present during the intervention, ask how you should deal with this particular situation. Due to distance, obligations, or other factors, some specialists are unable to participate in person. He should be able to advise you of the best way to proceed on your own, or recommend someone who can assist you.
Fifth, an intervention specialist should have information about resources if the meeting does not go well. Some addicts do not react well to being confronted about their substance abuse problems, and can try to harm themselves or someone else.
Even if these situations are very unlikely, you need to know what to do in case they do occur. If you need to call the police or an emergency mental health professional, you should have names and contact numbers before staging the intervention.
Sixth, ask if he is able to discuss the intervention with the people you have chosen to participate. This option can prevent a considerable amount of confusion and delay. Participants will not be in the position of arguing about what to say, and the meeting will not need to be delayed simply because of disagreements. He can provide solid advice for what participants will say, their behavior, and how the experience can progress smoothly.
If a particular interventionist is not a good fit for you or for your loved one, look for someone else. The chance of this producing good results has much to do with an interventionist’s attitude, and how he relates to everyone concerned. You do not want to risk a disaster by hiring someone who is clearly a poor choice.
An additional point to keep in mind is while interventionists can be a valuable part of this process, it does not mean you will not need to do anything yourself. The addict who needs help is your loved one, and the lives his addiction is affecting are yours and others who are close to him. While a good interventionist wants you to succeed, he does not have a personal stake in the situation. You cannot expect him to do everything for you.
Finding the right interventionist can take a little time and effort. Do not agree to hire the first person you find, unless you are sure he is a good match. The time and effort you put into finding the right person will definitely be worthwhile.
