Drug Intervention and Intervention Services
Denial is a part of the addiction cycle. The addict does not and will not admit they have a problem or that their problem is out of control, in many instances they will not even admit it to themselves, they live in a state of denial.
Just because an individual’s life has become unmanageable as a result of drug addiction and/or alcoholism, no matter what the drug being abused, along with the abuse comes a lack of willingness and/or ability to confront the true nature of one’s own problem with drugs and alcohol and to take any kind of action to better their lives.
The addict can express the denial in different ways:
- They blame others instead of accepting responsibility for their actions.
- The act out in anger when their denial is challenged.
- They avoid people or loved ones and hide their behavior from others.
Many individuals caught up in the cycle of addiction will remain in denial until their drug addiction takes them to one of three inevitable ends if not checked or addressed – jail, institution, or death. Drug addiction and alcoholism is a devastating journey that destroys the individual, their life, all they use to hold dear, and negatively effects everything around them.
Intervention is a tool that is used to end the addicts denial. The purpose of intervention is not to gang up on the individual, but to help them really “see” how their actions and behaviors are effecting themselves and others around them. The end result of intervention is getting the addict into an effective addiction treatment facility.
An intervention should be a well planned and throughout action.
The first step should be having a drug rehab or treatment program lined up and ready to go. If the individual agrees they should be immediately escorted to the program, without a chance to change their mind.
The second step is to form a plan. There are many professional Drug intervention specialists or program that can help plan, moderate, or facilitate an intervention. Having a professional “stranger” on hand can help keep the intervention organized, focused, and more effective. There are also many counseling services available to the individual and the family. Remember the goal is not to blame or hurt the addict, but with love and concern assist the addict in seeking or accepting drug rehabilitation and treatment help.. 90-95% of interventions that are well planned and executed are successful.
If the addict does not accept help or is not ready to agree to treatment you need to be prepard for the next step. This step will be immediately stop enabling behaviors. You must be prepared to impress upon the addict that you will not help them maintain the addiction and allow the effects of their decisions to effect them. This can be extremely difficult to do. Remind the addict you love them and if they wish to seek treatment only then will you help. You will need to ask the addict to leave and provide no money, no place to stay, and no emotional support – until the addict accepts treatment.
Tough love that may save their life. When the addict is willing to stop living in denial.
