Intervention counseling is a group of friends or family members who get together to express concern of a person who has undergone some trauma or needs help with an addiction. The person is usually in denial of their problem or does not recognize their behaviors as a problem. The term is common when referring to addictions involving drugs or alcohol, but can apply to any similar situation. During intervention counseling, concerned friends and family are given the opportunity to express concerns with the help of a mediator, the person may then be offered the opportunity to enroll in a rehabilitation program or other assistance to help them overcome their addiction.
Preparing for Intervention Counseling
Intervention counseling has a greater chance of being effective if everyone involved is on the same page and understands the goals of the intervention. Friends and family should communicate beforehand, discuss their feelings, and explore the potential outcomes of the intervention. An interventionist is a professional trained to deal with these situations, so he can guide the group on how to go about the intervention. The interventionist will also be able to redirect the focus of the intervention. They are not emotionally attached to the person and will be able to provide an alternative perspective if needed.
Before the intervention, discuss possible objections the person could raise. Consider hypothetical situations and prepare for responses and actions to deal with them. The subject may be angry or become violent when confronted by friends and family regarding their destructive or negative behaviors. Many times, the intervention organizer will ask each member of the group to write a letter to the subject expressing their love and concerns, including the effect that the person’s addiction or behavior has had on their life.
Intervention
On intervention day, the group gathers and meets as a group before the subject arrives. The subject is not typically aware of what they are walking into; shock, anger, frustration, and an unwillingness to participate are typical reactions. Each person reads his or her letter aloud. If an interventionist is present, he will handle the conflicts that arise. Participants have to have a lot of patience because the subject may not be open to advice or help. The purpose of the intervention counseling is to get the addict into treatment or help of some sort. The intervention may continue until the person agrees or everyone has had a turn to share their concerns.
It is important not act out of anger or frustration; this would have a negative effect on the subject. Usually family, friends, colleagues, employer, and neighbors are few of the people who could be a part of the intervention group.
Effectiveness and Follow Through
Intervention counseling is only the beginning to a long process. The important thing is that the person understands the seriousness of their addiction or behavior, recognizes the impact they have on the lives of the people around them, and accepts help. The success rate of an intervention is very specific to the individual; the subject needs to be ready to make a change, otherwise the intervention will not be successful. The support system also plays a large role in the recovery of the individual, without a strong support system, the subject has a higher likelihood of relapsing, using drugs again, or resorting to their negative behaviors.
After intervention counseling, you have to find proper addiction treatment for your loved one. Call Morningside Recovery today at 855-631-2135 to learn about our detox programs, inpatient rehab, partial hospitalization program, aftercare program, and more.
