How to Help Someone with Drug Addiction

Dr. Thankachen sees patients with an array of disorders, including depression, bipolar illness, schizophrenia, anxiety, and dementia-related problems. Depending sober house on each unique situation, there are different intervention models that can be used. Two common models are the Johnson Model and the Family Systemic Model.

• These therapies went through experimental stages, refinements, and research until finally, enough studies were conducted showing their effectiveness that they became accepted practice.
• In some cases,  a professional interventionist will work with the group to prepare for and mediate the event.
• From an anecdotal perspective, however, interventions have mixed reviews.
• Addiction causes physical changes in the brain that produce strong urges (cravings) to seek and use a substance that are difficult to resist.

You may want to speak with the professional about the steps they take before the intervention takes place. The group initially meets to discuss what they know about the confronted person’s drug abuse. They will usually write down a list or letter (or maybe several letters) to be read, highlighting how the addiction affects each of them individually. The letters may show how addiction has affected the addict’s own life as well. These prepared statements end by letting the person know that it’s their wish that he or she go to treatment. These individual realizations, group decisions, and the offer to help are all delivered in the midst of expressing a deep love or appreciation for the person.

Intervention Strategies and Techniques

As the term implies, an intervention is an organized effort to intervene in a situation to solve a complex or sensitive problem. During the intervention, participants will need to provide detailed information about why they care about the loved one’s drug and alcohol use or overall mental health. Adding this emotional connection is critical in showing the importance of treatment to you. It’s not uncommon for addicts to believe the addiction is controlled or only hurting themselves, this is an opportunity to show them how they are underestimating the abuse. While there are relatively few studies that prove the efficacy of interventions, there have been various studies showing that friends and family are often reluctant to conduct them. It’s not easy to confront someone you love about their destructive behavior, especially if you’re unsure how they’ll react.

To help someone you know who you think may have a substance use problem, you first need to get them screened. Your best bet is to talk to your own physician or employee assistance professional about referring you to someone who can help, such as a licensed substance abuse counselor or family therapist. It is not easy to live with someone who is using mind-altering substances. Taking steps to begin treatment and recovery can be a painful process. However, it is the only path that holds promise for something better.

Refuse to Enable While Offering Help

If left untreated, it commonly results in the occurrence of physical, psychological, and social health consequences, sadly sometimes fatal ones. First and foremost, if you have a professional counselor, ask for a referral. Otherwise, the Association of Intervention Specialists can be a great place to begin your search and find a professional interventionist near you. There’s a great deal you can plan for with an intervention, but there’s also the certainty of uncertainty.

If you determine that someone is in need of a financial intervention, your first question is whether you should employ a professional interventionist. The advantage is that such a person will help streamline and organize the process, providing valuable resources along the way. Financial interventions are perhaps most important in situations in which a relative or friend is either knowingly or unknowingly being financially exploited to pay for the perpetrator’s over-spending. A successful family-driven intervention to protect an elderly person was reported in the Oct. 4, 2021, issue of The Gerontologist.

Find a Treatment Program

The sooner the group works with an addiction intervention specialist, the better prepared they are. The specialist can not only help during preparation, they’re also trained to be more persuasive to an addicted person. Even if you’re not going to have a professional interventionist present when the meeting takes place, it is almost always better to seek drug intervention help during the planning process. They can help you understand the best way to approach your specific situation and increase the chances the person will accept help. However, if they say no, or become hostile when the idea is brought up, it may be time to hire a professional interventionist.