Do You Need to Stage an Intervention?

Watching someone you love battle with addiction can be heart-wrenching.  You know they need help to overcome their addiction, but whenever you attempt a conversation, they get angry or act like it hurts their feelings that you would even consider that they might be addicted.

Your loved one may deny their substance use, even in the face of evidence, “Those aren’t my drugs, my friend Joe must have left them in my car.  I will let him know to keep his stuff away from me.  And no, I didn’t take any money out of your wallet!”   They may minimalize, “Don’t be so uptight, I just party a little bit.  Everyone needs to cut loose every now and then.  I don’t use enough to get addicted.”  They may attack, “I’m an adult and I don’t need you telling me what to do.  Stay out of my business.  It’s not like you are perfect!” Or they may play on your sympathy, “You don’t know how much I want to stop, but I’m just not strong enough.  I hurt so much when I try to quit.”  Or they may just lie, “Oh I’ve already realized that I have a problem, and I’m tapering myself off.  In a couple of weeks, I will be fine.  Don’t worry about me.”

You have heard the promises and seen them broken, you have watched as their health has declined, or their jobs have been lost, family neglected, vehicles wrecked, or credit destroyed.  You have seen the person you know, and love become someone else, someone you don’t know at all.

Perhaps it’s time for an intervention.  An intervention should be well planned, not a spur of the moment action.

Bring in the cavalry, pull together those people who your loved one most respects and trusts, and make sure that all of them are willing to stand together and be strong.  Rehearse, plan what each person is willing to say.  The overall message should be, “We love you too much to let you continue on this path of self-destruction.”

Spend some time preparing solutions for all the objections your loved one will have.  Have a quality treatment facility ready to begin the care your loved one needs, including detoxification, if needed.  Explain how the costs can be covered, because you will most likely hear that they can’t afford it.  Assure them that someone is available to cover childcare for them if that is an objection.  Discuss how to deal with their employment if that is a concern.  Treatment is a short-term investment to offer them the opportunity for a long, substance-free life.

If they refuse treatment outright, make them aware of the consequences, and be strong in maintaining the boundaries.  Some things to consider are if you are willing to continue financial support if they don’t get help, if you are willing to have them in your home if they are under the influence of substances, will they be given access to your vehicles, will you involve child protective services if they continue to use?  Don’t make threats that you won’t follow through with but make strong boundaries and enforce them – don’t make it easy for them to continue with the addiction.  It is a matter of life or death…theirs.

We offer an individualized, holistic, non-12 step program.

Each situation is different and must be handled with care.  If you want guidance in this process, speak to an addiction specialist at Gulf Breeze Recovery.  They can also explain the treatment options that are available for your loved one.

With a well-trained and qualified medical, clinical and support staff, expert care begins with medically supervised detoxification if needed, and continues with one-on-one counseling, professionally led group sessions, spa treatment, neurofeedback, meditation, exercise, nutrition and specialized care for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), if needed.

Gulf Breeze Recovery offers a nurturing environment in a beautiful setting where each guest is treated with dignity and respect.  Gulf Breeze Recovery strives to offer the best and most comprehensive alcohol and substance abuse treatment options in the country, with plans of treatment tailored to the needs of your loved one.

If you or someone you care about, has an ongoing history of alcohol or substance use and/or relapse, contact Gulf Breeze Recovery or call: 833.551.2356 to speak to an addiction expert to learn more about their residential program, out-patient program, and intensive out-patient program, and which of these can best fit your individual needs.  These programs have helped many people overcome their addiction and embrace their new happy, healthy, substance-free lifestyle.

We help people not just to survive, but to THRIVE!