INTERVENTION

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Drug Intervention

A drug intervention is a process that helps a drug addict recognize the

extent of their problem. Individuals who are addicted to drugs or alcohol

usually do not know their addiction is out of control. They tend to look at

those around them as a measure of how right or wrong their actions are.

Those that surround themselves with individuals who are caught up in the

grasp of drug addiction are not able to see the drastic lengths that their

own dependence has come to. Their using " friends " are a mirror of

themselves, leading them to believe that their own actions are acceptable.

These individuals need objective feedback on their behaviour. It is through

a non-judgmental, non-critical, systematic drug intervention process that

the individual is able to see their own lifestyle choices. When they truly

understand the impact that their alcohol dependence or drug addiction has on

others, they may truly begin to see they are hurting those around them.

Anticipate that the individual who is suspected of having a substance abuse

problem might try to minimise their use, change the topic, joke about their

use, or say " My substance use is no worse than anyone else's. " Even if the

individual begins to share some life problems that they have been

experiencing, know that those problems won't get better unless the person

quits their substance abuse.

The goal of drug intervention is for the addict to accept the reality of

their drug addiction and to seek help. The process of conducting a drug

intervention is a difficult and delicate matter. It is important that it is

done correctly, otherwise the individual may feel cornered and become

defensive. Advice from a trained professional is useful in determining the

proper strategy and timing for your specific intervention.

Many families have made numerous, but unsuccessful, attempts to help their

addicted loved ones. They may have tried various approaches to control or

" fix " the addicted individual, but the addiction progresses. Don't be an

enabler; say something! Demonstrate caring and concern. Keep in mind, are

you helping the person by intervening, or hurting them by remaining silent?

If you suspect that an individual has a problem with drugs or alcohol, get

involved. It is the active involvement by concerned others, who take action

on behalf of the addict who is trapped in the vicious cycle of dependence,

that begins the process of lifestyle change. Drug intervention is the first

step. Professional treatment is the second. Both are necessary steps, but

with intervention up to 85% of addicted people seek treatment to become free

of their dependencies.

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 their

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 addict 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. Get family and friends to

join you. Having a professional there (many organizations will do this) is

helpful. This person acts as a facilitator

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 their drug abuse has caused

problems for you, including any recent incidents. This is really important.

Make statements like " I feel like I have to protect your children from the

emotional damage you would cause by notesd like the one you left the other

day that read... (quote it).

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 Drug Rehab program.

Regards,

Do not follow where the path may lead;

go instead where there is no path and

leave a trail.