How to Stage an Intervention:
The Supportive Guide You Need
There are around 50,000 opioid deaths per year. For individuals who struggle with addiction, death is almost an inevitability if they don't find their way to recovery.
Addiction is hard on everyone involved, including the person who is struggling with it and those who care about them. It can be extremely difficult to watch someone you love going down a destructive path, but you may be able to help them.
As a trusted friend, you may be able to provide the influence to get your loved one back on track. Read on to learn how to stage an intervention for a friend.
How to Stage an Intervention: Preliminary Steps to Take
If you want to learn how to stage an intervention, preparation is key. An intervention is an incredibly important life event for everyone involved, so it must not be taken lightly or handled spontaneously.
Before you can begin planning, form your core group of people that love the person and want to see them overcome their addiction. Reach out to trusted friends and family members. Try to keep it small, as this will be less intimidating for the person you'll be confronting.
Coming up With a Plan
Once you've formed your core group, get everyone up to speed on how to stage an intervention. Then, come up with your own plan for the intervention process.
Here are a few things to include in your intervention plan:
- Date and time of the intervention
- Location of the intervention
- Individual talking points and impact statements for each member
- A general outline of the process
If you need extra guidance, consider consulting a professional to come and assist you.
Preparing for Any Outcome
While you can learn how to stage an intervention and go through all the steps correctly, be prepared for a negative reaction from the individual. Remember that you cannot make someone change unless they want to make that change for themself.
Setting Boundaries
If the individual denies having a problem, reacts negatively, or refuses to get help, there should be consequences from that person's family and friends. Everyone on the intervention team must commit to not enabling or supporting the person if they continue with their addictive behavior.
Being Supportive During Recovery
Even in the best-case scenario where the individual agrees to seek help, they will have a long and difficult road ahead. They will likely face intense cravings and extreme withdrawal symptoms, which can intensify the chances of a relapse. Be prepared to be with them during these difficult moments, and do whatever you can to help them stay sober.
For more information on what happens to the body during drug withdrawal, see https://www.americasrehabcampuses.com/blog/what-happens-to-your-body-during-drug-withdrawal/.
Helping Loved Ones Recover From Addiction
Watching someone you love struggling with addiction is incredibly difficult. It's normal to feel powerless in this situation, but you might not be as powerless as you think. Now that you know how to stage an intervention, you have a chance at helping your loved one find recovery.
For more topics like this one, see our other articles.