Your loved one is suffering from addiction or alcoholism, and he or she seems to have hit the point of unmanageability. You most certainly cannot handle the excessive mood swings, the drug paraphernalia or alcohol bottles lying around the house, and the constant infringement of your personal and family boundaries.
Or maybe your loved one is silently suffering, but you notice a distinct change in behavior and it breaks your heart to know that your child, spouse or friend is in pain.
How do you know when it is an appropriate time to intervene?
While there is no black-and-white answer, there are a few signs to look for both internally and externally.
[See: 14 Ways Alcohol Affects the Aging Process.]
Sign No. 1: You acknowledge that an intervention may be necessary.
The first and most important sign that an intervention may be the necessary next step is when you acknowledge that an intervention cannot further harm the situation.
In most therapeutic practices, from cognitive behavioral therapy to dialectical behavioral therapy and even psychotherapy, acknowledgment and acceptance of the present situation is the goal of treatment.
When a person’s addiction places nearly tangible stress and tension on their relationships and their environment, the addict’s loved ones have two choices: acknowledge and accept that their loved one has unknowingly succumbed to the disease of addiction, or hold their breath and cross their fingers for the best possible outcome.
Unfortunately, the disease of addiction is debilitating, and far too often in this industry I see young and talented adults and successful men and women lose their lives to the crippling disease of addiction. It can happen in just a short period of using drugs and alcohol to numb.
If you have a gut feeling that staging an intervention is the necessary next step, it’s probably time for you to gather your loved ones and determine the best interventionist to suit your needs.
[See: 7 Health Risks of Binge Drinking You Can’t Ignore.]
Sign No. 2: Your loved one’s addiction keeps getting worse, never better.
If you’re still unsure about whether your loved one’s addiction warrants an intervention because you aren’t quite sure if his or her behavior is “extreme” enough or whether the volume of drug consumption is an unknown factor, there’s one surefire way to make the best decision for your family.
If you notice your loved one’s addiction has become increasingly worse over the past few years, the past few months or any other allotted period of time, you have just identified the natural progression of the disease of addiction, and it’s necessary to stage an intervention.
Addiction and alcoholism are progressive diseases, meaning they always get worse over a period of time, despite moments or periods of abstinence. An addict can spend one month away from his or her drug of choice, but once they pick up that drug again, it’s as if they never quit.
The only way to address the progression of this disease is to provide your loved one with the necessary resources for a long-term recovery, including: detoxification to rid the body of lingering substances; inpatient treatment to give the mind, body and spirit a break from the addiction lifestyle; therapeutic resources to address the root causes of the addiction; a sober environment in which to flourish and develop connections founded in similarities; and aftercare options for lasting recovery.
An interventionist provides knowledgeable experience on effective communication with active drug and alcohol users, which can provide the family with an “edge,” if you will, that will increase the likelihood of the addict attending treatment.
[See: How to Find the Best Mental Health Professional for You.]
Sign No. 3: The thought of confronting your loved one about his or her addiction is terrifying.
Confrontation, especially with an individual whose behavior ranges from sedation one minute to rage the next, can be an overwhelming feat.
If the thought of confronting your loved one about his or her addiction, setting firm boundaries regarding their behavior or suggesting options for help gives you anxiety or fear, then an interventionist may be a great option for you and your loved ones.
The interventionist acts as a buffer between the addict and the loved ones. In such an emotional time as this, emotions can run rampant between the addict and his or her family. This type of volatile environment hinders the chances of the addict going to treatment to begin the road to recovery. The interventionist provides a structured and safe environment for everyone involved.
There is power in numbers; the help of an experienced professional can assist you and your loved ones with the appropriate steps along the way.
It is never a bad idea to stage an intervention on an addict or an alcoholic. Though the process sounds overwhelming and daunting, an intervention brings logic into an emotional situation with the help of a knowledgeable professional.
If just one of these signs is weighing heavy on your heart, it may be a good time to look into potential intervention opportunities, whether through a treatment center’s provision or through a licensed interventionist.
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When to Stage an Intervention originally appeared on usnews.com
