Tommy Recovery Coaching

The 4 Essential Steps of a Successful Addiction Intervention

Many alcoholics and drug addicts treat themselves and recover on their own. Studies conducted by Yale University and McLean Hospital, home of the largest neuroscience research center, estimate almost 70 percent of individuals who fall into substance abuse patterns abandon them before they become severe. Others need professional help to recover. In some cases, they only enter recovery after an intervention. When you have a loved one with a problematic addiction who refuses to enter treatment, an intervention is an option to consider. With this in mind, let’s review the four procedural steps of an intervention.

1. Professional Assessment, Opinions, and Recommendation

The first step involves getting professional advice. If your loved one refuses treatment or relapses often, you should contact a mental health professional to discuss the situation. You don’t have to collect information to get started. Interventionists are trained to listen and inquire before they formulate opinions. Not all cases will require actual interventions with a family gathering. Some loved ones agree to begin recovery after their first meeting with a counselor. The when, where, and who of the intervention are proposed in the first step. You can expect to discuss intervention techniques and get some recommendations for potential treatment

2. Information Gathering and Preparation

If you agree with the intervention proposal, you’ll be directed to get information and prepare for the session. You’ll have to provide as much medical and personal information about your loved one as possible. If the interventionist recommends the presence of friends and family members, you’ll have to explain their relationship and role in your loved one’s life. The interventionist will take the information to plan the intervention and arrange for various procedural details, such as transportation and admission to detox or a rehab center. Friends and relatives may be interviewed to evaluate possible objections or obstacles to treatment. Intervention plans often include a set of “plan B” instructions in case the denial and refusal continue.

3. Interventions and Plans of Action

Not all interventions are like the tear-jerking dramatic scenes in many Hollywood films. While the Johnson Intervention Model sometimes involves a surprise meeting with concerned friends and family, other approaches can be more adequate. The Systemic Family Intervention Model, for example, consists of inviting relatives and friends to counseling sessions for a more gentle transition into treatment. Other models combine direct and invitational approaches. All plans of action prioritize avoiding confrontation. Not all interventions culminate in rehab admissions. Some patients go straight into outpatient counseling.

4. Aftercare Programs and Services

If your loved one goes through rehab, the interventionist will coordinate with the case manager to determine the next steps. Some patients may benefit from staying at sober living homes, while others may work with sobriety coaches, such as those who provide support for recovery in Encinitas, CA, to complete their recovery journeys. Many interventionists recommend outpatient programs, AA meetings, or cognitive behavioral therapy. Providing continued support to loved ones is crucial for maintaining long-term sobriety and preventing relapse episodes.

At Sober Lifestyle Coaching, our trained interventionists help groups of family members, friends, or coworkers get help for 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. If they need the services of an interventionist, Encinitas residents should call us today.