Intervention is a term used for situations where family members and friends orchestrate a group attempt to get someone they care for the professional assistance that person needs. Usually interventions are useful in helping with an addiction, crises or trauma. Interventions are most often used to assist people with the following issues:
- Gambling addiction
- Alcoholism
- Eating disorders (both excessive eating and not eating)
- Self mutilation
- Substance abuse
- Gaming addiction
- Addiction to work
Interventions can be direct or indirect. A direct intervention will usually involve the family being prepared by a professional addictions counsellor who specialises in intervention work. Using a professional addictions counsellor gives the family the best chance of getting their loved one the treatment they need.
Interventions have developed a bad name for ‘confrontational’ type of meetings with the dependent person and family members. If done right the intervention needn’t be an angry tirade from either side. Please read more in our interventions articles. Indirect intervention will involve team work of a family or group of friends to encourage and motivate the dependent person to consider that their habits have to change. The intervention approach is often viewed as an ambush by the patient and so over the years has been changed and improved in order to treat the person addicted to alcohol or other drugs with more respect and dignity.
The idea is to ensure that the entire support structure, which consists of both family and friends, works towards a better understanding of the addiction and changes their behaviour as a unit in order to encourage a healthier and cleaner approach to life and difficult situations. A typical intervention needs to be prepared. The family unit or support system will usually meet with the addiction counsellor or psychologist and prepare personalised letters to the addict letting him or her know how their addiction is affecting each individual in the group.
It is not always done but the group is advised to make a list of situations and activities that they will no longer be part of or support should the victim refuse professional assistance. This can range from loss of loaned finances or accommodation to losing custody of children. Once the letters have been read, the victim will be given a few moments to process the message and make an immediate decision. This decision will of course have a direct impact on what is to follow.
Interventions are something that must be planned properly and with the assistance of a professional rehab centre or addictions counsellor. Call us right now to talk about how to perform a successful intervention and what rehabilitation centres are available in your area to admit the patient once this has been done. Make sure that your loved one gets the help and motivation required to live an addiction free existence today.
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