Drug Intervention

Drug intervention is a procedure that helps an addicted individual to become aware the extent of his problem. People with an addiction to drugs or alcohol most often do not know that their dependency is out of control. They have a tendency to look at those in their environment as a gauge of how right or wrong their actions are. Those that surround them with persons who are caught up in the grasp of drug dependency are not able to see the drastic lengths that their own addiction has come to. Their using "friends" are a mirror of themselves, leading them to believe that their own actions are acceptable.

These people need objective feedback of the way they behave. It is through a non-judgmental, non-critical, systematic drugs or alcohol intervention procedure that the person is able to see his own lifestyle choices. When he truly understands the impact that his alcohol addiction or drug dependence has on others, he may really begins to see he is hurting those around him

The Steps of Drug Intervention
1. Stop all “rescue missions.” Family members often try to protect an abuser from the results of their behavior by making excuses to others about thier abuse problem and by getting them out of drug-related jams. It is important to stop all such rescue attempts immediately, so that the addict will fully experience the harmful effects of his use and thereby become more motivated to stop.

2. Don’t enable them. Sometimes family members feel sorry for the person or tend to avoid the abuser; let them come and go a they please. This comes across to the abuser as a reward—after all, all he wants is to be left alone. Be careful not to reward by paying his bills, bailing him out of jail, letting him stay for free, etc. This kind of reward creates out exchange and criminal behavior.

3. Time your drug abuse intervention. If possible, plan to talk with the addict when he is straight. Choose a time when all of you are in a calm frame of mind and when you can speak privately.

4. Be specific. Tell the family member that you are concerned about his drug or alcohol abuse and want to be supportive in getting help. Back up your concern with examples of the ways in which thier drug abuse has caused problems for you, including any recent incidents.

5. State the consequences. Tell the family member that until he gets help, you will carry out consequences—not to punish the drug abuser, but to protect yourself from the harmful effects of the abuse. These may range from refusing to be with the person when they are under the influence, to having them move out of the house. DO NOT make any threats you are not prepared to carry out. The basic intention is to make the abuser’s life more uncomfortable if he continues using drugs than it would be for him to get help.

6. Find strength in numbers with the help of family members, relatives and friends to confront the abuser as a group. However,you want to choose one person to be the initial spokesperson. It will be much more effective for the others to simply be there nodding their heads, than it would be for everyone to talk at once and “gang up on him.” Remember the idea is to make it safe for him to come clean and seek help.

7. Listen. If during your drug abuse intervention the abuser begins asking questions like; Where would I have to go? For how long? This is a sign that he is reaching for help. Do not directly answer these questions. Instead have him call in to talk to a professional. Support him. Don’t wait. Once you’ve gotten his agreement, get him admitted immediately. Therefore, you should have a bag packed for him, any travel arrangements made, and prior acceptance into a program.

.

Call us now and we will help you  

1-800-722-5570

or go to our online consultation form