Many people are at a loss as to the best way to help their Rhode Island loved one who suffers from addiction to drugs or substance abuse. Often, they are under the impression that there is nothing that can be done until the individual hits bottom. The services of an interventionist can challenge the individual suffering from substance abuse to get the help needed to overcome their addiction to drugs.
When properly conducted, the intervention is not just another family blowup about the individual’s substance abuse problem. Instead, it provides a loving and supportive way in which the family confronts the individual about the way his addiction to drugs has harmed individual family members. If the subject of the intervention agrees, he will be transported to a detox facility here or maybe a center in Boston or somewhere in Connecticut to begin treatment for his addiction immediately.
The interventionist plays an important role in a drug addiction intervention. He or she is a trained counselor with experience in substance abuse and addiction treatment. Once the family decides to u
se the services of an interventionist, those who are to take part, other than the subject, will meet with the interventionist to make plans for the meeting.
During this initial meeting, participants receive training for conducting the intervention. Each participant will be asked to write a letter to the subject explaining the personal harm his addiction has caused the individual. With the closure of the letter, the participant sets boundaries for the subject if he does not seek help for the addiction.
Some examples of boundaries include:
- A spouse will file for a divorce
- The individual may no longer be able to live where he is now living
- The participant will no longer lend money to the subject
- The participant will call the police any time the subject is seen operating a vehicle while under the influence
- The participant will no longer bail the subject out of jail when arrested on a substance abuse charge
The intervention should be scheduled at the time the subject is least influenced by the substance being abused. For many, this is at their place of employment, with the employer’s approval. The interventionist will moderate the meeting and help to keep things on track.
One or more participants may be asked to read their letter to the subject. The process often begins with the spouse. The interventionist will observe the subject for signs he is ready to seek help. It may not be necessary for every participant to read his or her letter.
While many subjects are glad to have the support of those in the intervention and agree to seek help, the team should be prepared for the fact that some subjects will storm out of the meeting and refuse to participate. The interventionist will work with participants to ensure they are not further harmed by the subject’s reaction. If the subject agrees to treatment, the interventionist is responsible for his transportation to the detox facility.
Confronting a family member about his or her addiction to drugs can be difficult. However, for many, it is the only way the individual will seek treatment. A well staged intervention can help the individual to enter into rehab before his substance abuse causes irreparable harm to himself, family or others.
