Interventions are an important resource and choice for some families and friends of people suffering with addictive behaviours. They can potentially save lives, certainly create hope, and can stop the continuation of the addictive cycle within a family.
Many people who are active in their addictions find it very difficult to accept that they are actually abusing a substance or behaviour, and in many cases, they are in permanent denial. This is one of the main obstacles in overcoming their problem. Addicts sometimes feel that they have adopted a different way of living, a coping method, and even if there is danger to health and life because of their abuse, they think that they are in control. Addicted individuals tend to be unaware of how much damage is already done and their lack of control over the substances that are ruining their lives. Denial to accept their problem and ignorance of their situation are two of the hardest barriers in getting across to addicts and getting them on the path to recovery from the addiction they suffer from. The family, friends, work colleagues, and anyone the addict comes into contact with may collude with, or enable the denial by being unable or unwilling to challenge the addict, or themselves. Intervention can help people through this denial.
The Anonymous Fellowships and good treatment facilities talk about addiction being a family illness. Ask any family member who has a relative who is in solid, health recovery, and they will say that they had work to do on themselves as well. This can be the starting point in a structured intervention. Education of all involved is a key aspect of an intervention. If those around the addict are not aware of their behaviour, and the impact it has on the whole addictive structure, and are then prepared to change themselves, the intervention will not have a favourable outcome.
Interventions have often been depicted as dramatic slanging matches between the addicted person and their family. This is not the case. A well facilitated intervention will have no surprises for the addict. It will be a loving and supportive process for all involved. If an intervention is carried out in a structured, professionally managed manner, there is a high probability of the person getting in to recovery, either by treatment or involvement with an appropriate Anonymous Fellowship and addictions therapist. There may be some emotional outcry, or pain to be experienced by members of the intervention, but this will be manageable in comparison to continuing living in an addictive cycle that tends to create daily stressors that build, rather than diminish.
Whenever someone needs help but refuses to accept it, an intervention is appropriate. Intervention is used for people engaged in any self-destructive behaviour such as:-
A person drinking too much, an anorexic or bulimic, a gambler, sex addict, a senior manager adding to their stress by abusing cocaine and prescribed medication, a teenager using solvents and cannabis with their peer group, or even a senior person needing assisted living.
It is a bigger step, but it is similar to suggesting to a loved one that they need to go to their doctor to have a check up if they are unwell.
An intervention occurs when family, friends and colleagues change their behaviours in ways that impact a person's problem. Interventions vary depending upon circumstances. Always, however, interventions should be done with love and respect.
The structure involves everyone who has contact with the addicted person. This includes family, friends, colleagues from work, school, college, their GP, and the employer, where appropriate. They collectively agree what the bottom line behaviour is that they will accept from the individual, and the consequences of what will happen if he or she does not adhere to them. This starts to create boundaries which, as a family structure in an addictive family system, will have been missing or lax. They will also state what it feels like, and specifically to the individual just how the addictive behaviour impacts on them and their hopes for the future.
The bottom line for a younger sister of a brother abusing alcohol and cannabis, may be not giving her pocket money to her brother when her has no money left and has been refused more by his parents. She may say that she feels sad that her brother is distant, and she is scared of her brother but wants to have a better relationship with him.
The parents may say that they will no longer accept his not working, and make a firm boundary of not funding their son any more until he finds employment, and seeks help.
This is because they are scared that he is living a dangerous and lonely life, which leaves them feeling sad and helpless. It is entirely up to the individuals within the setting, it will be situationally based, and unique to the people involved. It will need to be feasible, agreed by all involved, and realistic, non punitive (although the addicted person may experience it as that), and the boundary held in the coming days.
The intention is to create a change in the unmanageable system, create the tipping point for the addict to make health choices with the support of those who love and care for them.
Treatment is not always the outcome of an intervention, though it may be the desired one. If the addicted person sees that there is help available, the level and depth of the illness, behaviour, willingness, and family’s boundaried support may point to therapy, Anonymous Fellowship meetings, and other appropriate support. This needs to be decided before the intervention takes place, and be guided by the professional via an assessment process.
If you feel that there is someone you love and care for who is on a self destructive path of addictive behaviour , and would like more guidance and information, please see the links enclosed.
