We are aware that taking this step isn’t easy, but it can be a vital first move toward recovery. Our team is here to support you through the process with professional intervention services designed to bring families together and create pathways to healing.
Below are some tips to help you with planning an intervention for your loved one.
Understand the purpose of an intervention
Interventions are not about blame or guilt, they are about providing hope and options in a safe and supportive environment. The goal of an intervention is to show your loved one that they have a support system and to encourage them to accept the help which they need. By understanding this concept it can make an incredible difference by helping to set up a compassionate tone for the meeting.
Who is participating?
Interventions tend to be most effective when they involve close family members, friends, or loved ones who genuinely care for the person in need. Limit the participants to those who can remain calm, caring, and constructive during the intervention. It’s best to avoid including those who may become overly emotional, angry, or defensive. These attitudes and behaviours can disrupt the process and create misunderstandings.
Plan and prepare with professional guidance
It can be extremely overwhelming to plan an intervention without professional guidance and assistance. A trained intervention specialist can help guide you through each stage, and ensures that the process is organised and effective. They will also be able to help prepare you for any potential challenges and help set the right tone for what you want to say.
Engaging with our intervention service can:
- Help create a safe space for communication
- Offer guidance on what to say and what to avoid saying
- Manage unexpected reactions and emotions
- Facilitate a path forward after the intervention
Practise your words
Get comfortable with saying what you want to say. It can be helpful to prepare and rehearse what each person involved plans on saying. Your aim should be to avoid harsh or judgemental language, and to speak from the heart. Practise framing your feelings and experiences with I statements. For example, instead of “You never think about how much this impacts us” try framing this as “I feel worried and scared for your health and well-being”. This approach helps to foster compassion rather than confrontation.
Focus your thoughts
When you are discussing the impact of addiction it can be helpful to refer to specific incidents that demonstrate the need for change. Being specific can assist with avoiding generalisations which may lead to defensiveness. Be gentle as you explain how these incidents have affected those involved. This clarity on situations can help your loved one to understand the direct impact of their actions, which makes it harder for them to be dismissed or ignored.
Clear plan forward
Do some research into treatment options ahead of time and prepare these to discuss during the intervention. A clear solution can be a key advantage to holding a successful intervention. Having suggestions and plans in place can demonstrate to your loved one that help is available and that there are caring professionals ready to support them.
Find out more about our programs, including inpatient and outpatient rehabilitation, detox support, counselling, and our FREE Family First Step program.
Prepare for different reactions
An intervention can be extremely emotional, and it’s important to remember that every person will react differently. Some individuals may feel overwhelmed, while others may become defensive or deny there is a problem. Prepare yourself for a range of responses, and try to stay calm and focussed on the positive steps forward. If the situation becomes too intense, it’s okay to take a short break, regroup, and continue when everyone is ready.
Back it up
The intervention itself is just a first step. Afterwards, it’s essential that you stay committed and provide ongoing support. If your loved one has agreed to seek treatment, help them make arrangements and check in with them throughout the process. If they’re hesitant be sure to keep the lines of communication open, and let them know that help is there when they are ready.
Support is available for everyone
At Arrow Health, we understand the weight of addiction and how it impacts not only the person struggling but also friends and family. We provide compassionate support and professional guidance to help families come together. Our family support services are here to help you on this journey. Please don’t hesitate to give us a call to learn more about our intervention services and treatment options.