How to Do an Intervention
It is important to remember that recovery is a group effort. It is about coming together as a family or a community to help one of its own. Interventions also tend to be highly effective at keeping people recovered in the long term.
Understanding Addiction
Addiction is one of the deadliest diseases currently affecting humankind. It affects and even kills millions of people each year. It is also important to remember that, yes, addiction is a disease. Many people are confused and think of addiction as a “choice.” This is a fallacy.
In fact, addiction has more to do with other chronic diseases like diabetes, heart disease, and cancer and less to do with being merely a “choice.” Addiction also acts more like a disease because without some type of professional intervention addiction will almost always get worse, never better.
It is also important to understand that addiction is a “family disease.” This is because addiction affects everyone involved, not just the individual who is struggling. This is also why an intervention can be so critical, as it allows the entire family a chance to heal. The family can also act as the first defense when it comes to getting a loved one the addiction help that they need. However, they must first be able to accurately recognize the signs and symptoms of addiction.
The Signs and Symptoms of Addiction
The signs and symptoms of addiction are always going to vary based on the individual. However, one can look out for many universal signs and symptoms. The following are just a few of the signs and symptoms of addiction:
- Isolating away from family and close friends
- Experiencing trouble at work or school
- Loss of appetite and a lack of care regarding physical appearance and wellbeing
- Exhibiting excessive mood swings
- Experiencing physical ailments such as headaches, body aches, and gastrointestinal problems
- Feeling anxious, nervous, or overly “stressed out”
- Having feelings of worthlessness, hopelessness, and helplessness
- Not being able to stop once starting drinking or using
- Having trouble with sleep cycles, including sleeping too much and not sleeping enough (hypersomnia and insomnia)
- Losing interest in activities once enjoyed
- Causing harm to oneself or others
- Having suicidal ideations
Many people can minimize addiction, or falsely categorize it as that previously mentioned “choice.” However, these signs and symptoms are significant and can be deadly. This is why reaching out for professional help as soon as possible is vital. Doing so could mean the difference between short-term side effects and long-term consequences. This includes the professional help of an interventionist.
How to Do an Intervention
It is important to remember that an intervention is more than merely just talking to a loved one about their addiction. It is a staged and scripted procedure meant to produce the most positive results and get an individual willing to accept addiction treatment.
A professional interventionist is going to be able to control the flow and the tempo of an intervention. They are also going to have the right connections to the right recovery centers if and when a loved one says that they are willing to accept help.
Taking Advantage of an Intervention
It is also important for the entire family to take advantage of an intervention. This includes getting the whole family help, especially if any family members are struggling with codependency.
It is also important for the individual to take advantage of an intervention and take treatment seriously. Doing this can greatly reduce the chances of having a relapse.
Many people don’t realize just how prevalent relapses can be. According to Current Psychiatry Reports, “It has long been known that addictive disorders are chronic and relapsing in nature. Recent estimates from clinical treatment studies suggest that more than two-thirds of individuals relapse within weeks to months of initiating treatment. For 1-year outcomes across alcohol, nicotine, weight, and illicit drug abuse, studies show that more than 85% of individuals relapse and return to drug use within 1 year of treatment.”
Long-Term Success at The Phoenix Recovery Center
Here at The Phoenix Recovery Center, we believe in long-term success over short-term “fixes.” This is why all of our recovery plans are individualized and comprehensive with a focus on the future. Everyone deserves to recover. The good news is that anyone can. We can help.
Interventions are one of the best ways to get a loved one the help that they need. Despite this, many people are unaware of what an intervention is or how it works. This is why it is important to understand what the intervention process looks like and how effective it can be. If you feel like you or a loved one are struggling with addiction, mental illness, or co-occurring disorders, we can help get you on the right road to long-term recovery right away. You don’t have to go through this process alone. To begin your healing journey complete this short form or call The Phoenix Recovery Center at (801) 438-3185.
