Types of Addiction Intervention

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Types of Addiction Intervention

Addiction interventions are a chance for the loved ones of someone who is addicted to express their concerns and help the addict realise that there is a need for help. Many addicts are unable to see their own problems so are unlikely to ask for help independently. Each individual and circumstance requires a different intervention.

Intended to motivate a person struggling with an addiction, an intervention can be used to encourage them to make necessary life changes and put them in touch with the help they need. Alerting a subject to their substance use disorder has the potential to evoke strong emotional responses that are counterproductive to producing results.

A successful intervention can offer them the opportunity to face their problem as it actually exists. A successful intervention can be incredibly effective, leading to the individual seeking out the help that they need, while a poorly planned intervention may produce unwanted consequences.

How Do Addiction Interventions Work?

For a successful intervention to occur, it’s important to take the time to think ahead and create a strategy that involves all necessary information and central thoughts to communicate at the event. This includes involving all who will be present by having each write down their thoughts and collaborate closely with an accredited interventionist who can provide valuable insights for crafting a meaningful strategy.

Adhering to proven techniques and making sure everyone is united are key components to conducting a powerful and successful intervention. The time and energy spent brainstorming the intervention beforehand is very crucial, so it’s important not to overlook this stage or take the next step until everything has been appropriately addressed.

Workplace Intervention

When a person’s addiction becomes Centrepoint within the workplace, it may be time to conduct a workplace intervention. This type of intervention seeks to return the individual to a normal and balanced way of life, so that they can maintain their career with dignity and focus.

Failure within the workplace can serve to fuel an addiction, and by helping the subject stay self-sufficient, you can place them in a greater degree of control over their sobriety. A workplace intervention may assist the person in re-prioritising their life and finding joy and purpose away from the harmful world of drug and alcohol abuse.

It is not unheard of for people to arrange an intervention for addicted colleagues in a workplace or office environment. This needs to be handled extremely carefully and only by those whom the addicted person is friendly with and respects, or it can, in fact, exacerbate the problem.

Emergency Intervention

Emergency addiction interventions are held when there seems to be a very real and immediate danger to the addicted person.

If family and friends see someone they care about who is at extremely high risk it is not unheard of for an emergency intervention to be called for at a very short notice. This can sometimes involve getting the addict admitted rapidly to a detox (detoxification) centre under close medical supervision before moving on to less drastic addiction treatments.

The use of alcohol can drastically increase the chance for premature or accidental death according to figures from the CDC. Meanwhile, drug-related deaths have nearly tripled since the year 2000. This point makes it clear that there is never a more appropriate time for an intervention than within high-risk, chronic substance abusers.

Doing so correctly can mean the difference between securing the individual’s future or leaving them at the mercy of their own erratic behaviour. With so much at stake, it’s important to consult with a professional and be sure that the intervention goes according to plan.

Teenage Intervention

Sadly, teenagers sometimes abuse drugs or alcohol or exhibit repeated self-destructive behaviour which can become an addiction. Those in their teens, addicts or not, tend to be naturally more rebellious than older people and so a highly diplomatic and tactful approach is needed to ensure that the intervention does not become conflicted. It is best to seek out an intervention professional who is a specialist in teenage addiction problems.

The Johnson Model

We thought we would start the list of intervention models with the most common and accepted model; The Johnson Model. Below we have discussed in greater detail what this approach entails:

• What Is The Johnson Model?: The most common form of intervention, the Johnson model is an approach that depends on the element of surprise to make the most of the moment by forcing the individual to come to terms with their dependence issues. Strategic planning, taking the appropriate tone, and ensuring that the entire intervention team are unified throughout the process are essential elements for a positive outcome
• Who Is It Best Suited For?: This model can be particularly effective for those who are in strong denial about their issues, or are reluctant to discuss their problems. Bringing their issues to light the way the Johnson model does can potentially be more effective in these cases
• Potential Outcomes: It is important during a process of this type that the subject is not shamed or made to feel at blame. Instead, they should be encouraged to accept the help that they need for the very highest probability of success. If done correctly, this can be a powerful method for achieving results, but it also comes with the risk of leading to further negative consequences if conducted improperly

What Is The ARISE Method?

Involving the person from the very start with the intervention, this technique also includes the entire family, as well as anyone impacted by their addictive behaviours.

This approach makes it easier to address multiple issues at a single time to find a solution and get everyone on the same page to build a support system that will benefit the long-term sobriety of the patient. The subject feels like they are part of the intervention process itself rather than being an outcast or targeted.

What Is The Invitational Intervention?

Another form of intervention that does not rely on surprise techniques, but rather focuses on educating and healing the family unit as a whole, is known as the invitational intervention. Rather than emphasising the shortcomings of the individual, this approach seeks to build an atmosphere of strength where they can draw nearer to their immediate support structure.

Bringing to light potentially destructive actions, behaviours, and emotions can do much to improve the situation both at home and abroad. Giving families the knowledge and tools they need to work toward a lifestyle of sobriety is what the invitational model is really all about.

The Love First Model

This model starts from the standpoint of understanding, and helps the subject know that they are appreciated and cared for by their family members. Beginning from this basis helps reduce the need for defensiveness, or to agitate pent-up emotions within the subject. Instead, it seeks to encourage an open dialogue where true progress can be made.

The central idea is to get all the facts on the table, and voice concern regarding the situation, while still expressing love, appreciation, and care for the individual. This also involves asking the person to take part in treatment, while committing to engage in the process alongside them the whole way through.

Do I Need The Help Of An Interventionist?

Oftentimes, addiction can cloud the better judgment of an individual, even causing them not to realise that they have a problem in the first place. This can also lead them to deny or reject outright that a problem exists at all, making the road to recovery even harder to achieve.

However, an intervention seeks to solve this issue by forcing the subject to come to terms with their substance abuse problem and providing a clear path forward to a qualified rehabilitation treatment programme. With an approximate success rate of 71% (though these numbers may vary widely based on external factors), it’s easy to see how given the correct scenario, an intervention may be an attractive course of action.

Potential Pitfalls Of An Intervention

Confrontation always involve a substantial degree of risk, and should be closely considered before being followed-through with. Certain scenarios where an intervention may be the wrong choice could include those in which the individual already feels a strong sensation of alienation from those closest to them, or where emotional instability can lead them to respond in in an irrational, spontaneous, or even violent way.

That’s why it becomes imperative to really think the entire process through from start to finish and request the assistance of a qualified professional who will help you to determine the most effective strategies and steps for taking along the way.

Choosing whether to conduct an intervention isn’t something to take lightly, and is most commonly applied as a “last-resort” option. While making the right decision isn’t always easy, contacting a professional and including all relevant information throughout the process is good practice for obtaining the wanted result.

With correct planning and assistance from a proper counsellor and rehabilitation programme, an intervention can be a powerful means toward achieving a happier and more fulfilling way of life for someone facing drug or alcohol abuse.