It’s devastating to watch someone you care about struggle with alcohol or drug addiction. As much as you want to help, there are many dos and don’ts of talking to a loved one and encouraging better health—especially if they don’t believe there’s a problem. So often, the solution is to arrange for an intervention, but you shouldn’t have to do it alone. There are many professionals who specialize in helping people with these unique circumstances.  

The Basics of an Intervention  

The Mayo Clinic notes that “people who struggle with addiction often won’t accept their situation and don’t want to seek treatment. They may not accept the negative effects their behavior has on themselves and others. An intervention gives your loved one a chance to make changes before things get even worse. It’s also a chance to accept help.”

An intervention is a structured process of mediation between individuals. A board-certified intervention professional (CIP) guides family members, friends, co-workers, and other people who care about someone—such as a spiritual advisor—as they come together to help that person recognize they have a particular problem and agree to treatment. CIPs typically have a degree in a field related to psychiatry, psychology, social work, and substance abuse counseling. 

According to the Association of Intervention Specialists, “well over eight in ten individuals choose to go to addiction treatment when family members and friends present this life saving gift. [Of] The fifteen to twenty percent who choose not to engage in any sort of treatment for their substance abuse the day of the Intervention, about half do choose to seek treatment within a week or two.” 

So why choose an intervention? The role of a CIP is to act as moderator of the effort, which helps in many ways: 

• In a structured setting, a CIP can maintain a balance of calm, especially if emotions start to become heated.
• When a professional leads the conversation, this hopefully keeps your loved one or friend from feeling “ganged up on” or getting defensive.
• It’s easier for a neutral party to bring up difficult subjects in a measured way, as well as provide resources and options your loved one or friend might be more willing to consider.
• It helps loved ones, especially family members, address the chaos of addiction and work together to find opportunities for healing.

An intervention isn’t a time to present ultimatums or force control onto someone. It’s also not a free-for-all to condemn or criticize someone with alcohol use disorder (AUD) or substance use disorder (SUD). A guided intervention allows everyone to be heard, and it establishes a launch point for discussing potential solutions for quality care. 

Reasons Why Your Loved One Might Need an Intervention 

It’s a bold step to consider an intervention, but if you have growing concerns about the following, you’re on the right track to get professional assistance. 

• Declining physical health. SUD and AUD take a toll on the body, leading to various health problems such as liver damage, cardiovascular issues, compromised immune function, and neurological impairments. If you notice a significant decline in your loved one’s physical health due to their addiction, it may be crucial to intervene before the situation worsens.
• Mental health challenges. Addiction frequently coexists with co-occurring disorders such as anxiety, depression, or trauma. Your loved one may be using substances as a coping mechanism to alleviate emotional pain or distress. However, this can exacerbate mental health symptoms and create a cycle of dependency. Intervening might help them address underlying psychological issues through professional treatment and therapy.
• Negative impact on relationships. You might already be feeling the strain if your loved one is distant, unreliable, or even hostile, causing rifts in personal and professional connections. A trained interventionist approaches the topic of how addiction is compromising  relationships and emphasizes the importance of seeking help to rebuild trust and repair damaged bonds.
• Financial consequences. Substance abuse often leads to financial instability due to spending money on drugs or alcohol, neglecting financial responsibilities, or losing employment opportunities. Another topic that might be important to address in an intervention is how seeking treatment will help your loved one regain control of their finances.
• Risk of harm or legal problems. Your loved one may engage in risky behaviors such as driving under the influence or associating with dangerous individuals, putting themselves and others in harm’s way. An intervention outlines the potential legal consequences and safety concerns associated with their addiction, urging them to seek help before facing severe repercussions.

It’s possible that with supportive guidance, the person you care for will eventually appreciate how an addiction intervention takes a proactive approach to confront their substance abuse problem and embark on the path to recovery.

Try Seabrook’s Intervention Services

At Seabrook’s four award-winning addiction treatment centers in New Jersey, you have access to a team of caring, experienced addiction intervention specialists to help families plan the intervention process. Sometimes referred to as a “carefrontation,” this professionally led gathering is designed to convince an individual to seek treatment for alcohol or drug misuse. If someone you love is sinking deeper into addiction and carrying other family members into the fray, we can help. Call our 24-hour helpline at (888) 223-0298.