What Should You Say during an Intervention?
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Genuine and heartfelt communications are at the heart of interventions. This applies to everyone involved, from patients to loved ones and the professionals who manage the meetings. If you’re a concerned friend or relative, the interventionist will coach you on what you should say, how to express it, and what you should avoid mentioning. If you’re the patient, you can let it all out and say what’s on your mind.
What Should Concerned Loved Ones Say?
They should say what the interventionist in Encinitas has determined could be useful to achieve various goals. Depending on the model applied, the intervention may flow freely or according to a script. The classic Johnson model of surprise and confrontation, for example, is often scripted for persuasion. Your words and intent are important. Don’t say “I’m here for you” unless you can back it up. For example, a good friend should say: “I’m here for you if you need a ride, groceries, late-night conversations, or caring for your cat.”
What Should Patients Say?
As interventionists manage meetings, they observe and listen carefully to patients to confirm treatment plans and make necessary adjustments. If you’re the patient, just be open and honest. It’s important for you to acknowledge the gravity of the situation so you can express your feelings and internal thoughts without restrictions. Feel free to ask your loved ones or the interventionist questions.
Should I Say “I Love You?”
If you’re a concerned friend or relative with genuine feelings, you should definitely express terms of endearment. It doesn’t matter if relationship dynamics haven’t given you too many opportunities to say “I love you.” An intervention is when you should express it with heartfelt emotion. The goal is to make the patient feel safe and surrounded by individuals who want him or her to be safe, clean, and healthy.
Should I Focus on the Problem?
Never. Interventions only focus on solutions. You can acknowledge that addictions are treatable diseases, but don’t go too deep with your statements to this effect. As a loved one, you should only be on the side of the patient.
At Sober Lifestyle Coaching, our trained interventionists help groups of family members, friends, or coworkers confront the addicts they love as they motivate them to seek treatment. Guided by love and compassion for the addicts to ensure they don’t feel attacked or judged, our interventions are structured in a way that’s designed to coax them to be willing to change, even if they’re resistant to accepting help such as treatment, detox, or rehab. To find out about how we can help you or someone you love get and stay sober through addiction recovery, Encinitas residents should contact us today.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do all interventions lead to rehab?
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Only when inpatient strategies are part of the treatment plan. Some patients may get recommendations to attend 12-step programs like Alcoholics Anonymous, while others may work directly with a sober lifestyle coach. When patients have been abusing liquor, opiates, or benzodiazepines, a medical assessment is recommended to determine if patients should complete detoxification before checking into rehab.
What if I don’t have a lot to say?
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A simple “I love you because ______” would be sufficient. Interventionists screen and invite friends and family members whose presence would be conducive to success. In some situations, just being there would be sufficient. Nonetheless, patients benefit from listening to heartfelt statements.
What should I avoid saying?
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If you’re a patient, don’t worry about saying something “wrong.” If you’re a loved one, be prepared to listen instead of starting arguments. Interventions aren’t for blaming or shaming.
Will there be a confrontation?
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Only if the interventionist chooses the classic Johnson model, which is of a limited scope. Modern interventions are often guided by a model favoring multiple meetings that feel like counseling sessions.
