An intervention is not meant to be a way to punish or humiliate a loved one who is struggling with an addiction. Intervening recognizes that people who are caught up in the disease of addiction are not able to stop on their own. It’s a way to get a person who is addicted to drugs or alcohol to take responsibility for their actions instead of allowing friends and family members to continue to do things for them that they should do for themselves.
Waiting To Hit “Rock Bottom”
Many times, people wait until their loved one hits “rock bottom”, as the addict may be more amenable to seeking help. The problem with this way of thinking is that the longer the addiction is allowed to continue, the worse the problem gets.
No family is ever entirely prepared to deal with a loved one who has a substance abuse issue. The entire situation is foreign, and it stirs up all kinds of negative emotions, including anger, guilt and shame.
At Summit Behavioral Health, we deal with families from all backgrounds, and we know that addiction happens to people from all economic groups, cultures, and religious faiths. It is not an issue that only happens to “other people.” Addiction is a disease and a health issue, and waiting to hit rock bottom isn’t the safest or best answer.
Bring The “Bottom Up”
The right time to set up an intervention for drug and alcohol abuse is now. As a family, you can decide to bring the “bottom up” and face the issue together to get your loved one the help he or she needs. When you work with a professional interventionist, you are taking a stand to say that you will no longer stand by to watch your loved one continue to destroy their lives.
Stopping Enabling Behavior and Seeking Professional Addiction Treatment
Any enabling behaviors that you were participating in will stop. Your loved one will have the choice to get help for his or her addiction issue, and this will be presented in a loving, supportive manner.
Up to that point, the addict has been in control of the situation. Through the process of the intervention, that control is taken away. The meeting takes place in a neutral location and everyone is given a chance to share their thoughts and concerns with the guidance of a professional interventionist.
If you would like to find out more about setting up an intervention for your loved one, please call us now. Help is available 24/7!
