Signs That Someone Requires Addiction Treatment

The first step in helping someone find treatment is determining that there is, in fact, an addiction problem that needs to be addressed. It is important not to confront people without a full understanding of the disease and how it is impacting their lives. Signs that someone requires addiction treatment may include health factors, financial trouble, mental health issues or consequences that are a direct result of the addiction.

Health is often the most visible and persuasive sign that individuals require addiction treatment. Drug or alcohol addictions can lead to overall poor health, cardiac problems, weight loss or weight gain, malnutrition and so many other unfavorable side effects. If these are noticeable, and addiction is clearly the cause, then it is a definite sign that assistance is required.

Individuals who are financially struggling as a result of excessive substance abuse may also need treatment. Because of the stronghold of addiction, some people may lose their homes, their cars and their life savings before seeking help.

Other factors that point to a person in dire need of addiction treatment might include worsening mental health or problematic relationships. For example, a person who gets divorced and subsequently loses a custody battle due to addiction might be in dire need of treatment, and is clearly struggling to overcome an addiction despite negative consequences.

Helping Loved Ones Who Are Ready to Seek Treatment

When loved ones are receptive to seeking treatment, it can be much easier. However, it is still important to take the right course of action to help individuals get the appropriate treatment in the appropriate timeframe.

First, it is not recommended to let people who acknowledge the need for treatment put it off. It can be tempting for individuals to say that they will go to rehab next week or next month, but there is never a better time than the present. Making concrete plans for as soon as possible is integral for optimal recovery.

Next, loved ones should conduct some research on the best type of addiction treatment program. Not all programs are the same, and they can vary wildly in terms of quality. Also begin the search by looking for programs that are accredited by the Joint Commission and other major governing bodies in the medical industry. Then, consider the types of programs available as well as the treatment methods that are used.

Staging an Intervention for a Loved One

Sometimes, loved ones are resistant to offers of help. They may deny that they have a problem, or they may deny that the problem is negatively impacting their life. It is not unusual for those struggling with addiction to avoid confrontation rather than address the issues of addiction. Should this be the case, sometimes an intervention is necessary.

An intervention is a deliberate meeting, often with an element of surprise, that confronts the individual struggling with addiction. Participants might share their feelings and express how much the individual means to them. All may discuss how the addiction is impacting their lives. An intervention is usually directed by a professional.

The goal of an intervention is to confront individuals who don’t want to take action and admit the reality of their addiction. It seeks to stop or minimize self-destructive behavior, and it should always have the health of the individual in mind.

Following an intervention, some individuals are ready to face the reality of the situation and begin treatment. In these cases, it is best to have already lined up a treatment option so substance abuse can cease immediately.

In some cases, however, individuals won’t want to act after an intervention. They may be angry, hostile or frustrated, or they may simply deny there is a problem at all. In these cases, it may still be best to force these individuals into an addiction treatment program.

Addressing the Legal Aspect of Involuntary Treatment

Forcing someone into addiction treatment may be a personal issue, but it is also a legal one. In this respect, the legal issues will vary between states.

In some states, anyone who poses a threat to themselves or to others can be checked into a treatment facility. However, this may need to be done after a spouse or a parent files for court-ordered treatment. In other states, it may only take three concerned individuals who believe that addiction treatment is the best course of action for the individual’s health.

Can Treatment be Successful if Patients are Forced into it?

Above all else, there is the question of whether patients forced into treatment will actually benefit from it. In a word, the answer to that question is yes.

Countless studies have shown that it matters very little why or how a person gets to a rehab facility. What matters most is the quality of the facility and what kind of treatment methods are offered. Patients don’t necessarily have to be receptive to the idea of treatment for it to be effective.

For this reason, the bigger question for loved ones should be what kind of treatment is best. Look for facilities offering evidence-based methods like cognitive behavioral therapy, dialectical behavioral therapy, dual diagnosis treatments and experiential therapies. It is through these programs that patients can begin the journey to sobriety and recovery, and it matters little how or why they were enrolled in the program to begin with.

Ideally, patients would go into addiction treatment receptive and willing to begin the process of recovery. However, even those forced into rehab can benefit from renewed health, sobriety and a new lease on life. In fact, they often thank the people who forced them into treatment initially. Free from the binds of addiction, it is easier to see clearly the reality of the situation.

Understanding the Intervention

An intervention for drug use occurs when family, friends or other loved ones help individuals struggling with addiction understand the scope of their behavior and how it’s negatively impacting everyone around them. An intervention can sometimes help those struggling with addiction overcome their denial and appreciate the severity of the situation.

Interventions can seem awkward for those involved, but it’s important to remember that the goal of an intervention isn’t to have fun, or create memories, or feel comfortable. The goal is to save someone’s life. Therefore, those participating in an intervention should understand and appreciate the gravity of the situation.

An intervention usually operates by using the element of surprise. The individual struggling with addiction will be greeted by their friends, family or coworkers, who can then explain why drug addiction is harming all of those involved. This is a very personal action, and it can become emotional for the individual struggling with addiction as well as all other attendees. Often, enlisting the help of a professional interventionist will help the process go smoothly.

Advantages of an Intervention

The biggest advantage of holding an intervention is that it can be the turning point for those dealing with an addiction to drugs. Often, these individuals are in denial, and they are working hard to ignore the signs that their substance abuse is wreaking havoc on their lives and the lives of their loved ones. An intervention can also be cathartic for the friends and loved ones involved, as it creates a way for them to feel like they’re helping rather than just standing by and watching events unfold.

The primary objective of an intervention should always be getting those addicted to drugs into the right treatment facility. Ideally, transportation would be available and waiting, and there should be availability in a detox or rehab center already reserved. Then, when the individuals dealing with addiction are aware of the scope of their substance abuse, and can truly understand how it impacts everyone around them, they can take immediate action and begin the journey to recovery right away.

Who Should be Involved in an Intervention

Knowing who to include in an intervention for drug abuse can be a tricky issue. On one hand, it may make sense to invite as many people as possible, so that the individuals for whom the intervention is planned can see just how many people care about them and want them to seek help. On the other hand, inviting too many people may result in chaos, and it may be difficult to have the focus that’s required in a successful intervention.

Individuals with strong religious beliefs might benefit from having a trusted member of the clergy in attendance, and some individuals might benefit from having a beloved teacher at their intervention. Above all, it’s important that everyone in attendance has a close, genuine relationship with the person in question. This isn’t an event where casual friends or acquaintances should be there. Young children, while they may play a special role in the family, shouldn’t be in attendance, as it can be confusing for them to understand what’s going on.

It may also be beneficial to invite an interventionist to help guide the intervention. An interventionist makes sure that the schedule stays on track, and that people are able to speak without feeling overwhelmed or disrespected. For those who are new to the idea of an intervention, but who want the process to be a success, working with an interventionist can be a very good idea.

Intervention Styles and Their Effectiveness

There are a number of different intervention styles, and each has its pros and cons. The most popular types include the Johnson Model, the Systemic Model and the Invitational Model. The Johnson Model is the most common intervention style, and it operates by spelling out clear consequences for the main participants if they don’t seek help. There is still support and freedom from judgement, but the Johnson Model can sometimes create feelings of guilt or shame.

The Systemic Model is an intervention style that focuses on the positive rather than highlighting negative consequences. In this style, an intervention might discuss the advantages of sobriety and why working for this goal is so important. The final intervention style is the Invitational Model. Unlike most interventions, this model doesn’t include the element of surprise, and those addicted to drugs can be aware of the intervention and choose whether or not to attend.

After the Intervention: What Comes Next?

It’s necessary to capitalize on the progress made during an intervention and use the momentum to take action immediately. Addicted individuals should be fully aware of their choices and the consequences they might face if they don’t seek help. In some cases, this might mean being cut off financially or no longer having contact with loved ones or children unless they begin addiction treatment immediately.

Thankfully, the majority of those individuals suffering from drug addiction will go on to seek help immediately following the intervention. They might go directly to a detox facility, or they may enroll in a rehab treatment center instead. Either way, it can be beneficial to have these options set up in advance to prevent any changed minds in the hours or days following the intervention. Make sure that the individuals who are the focus on the intervention aren’t able to use one last time before heading to rehab, but are taken directly to a treatment facility.

An intervention for drug use has the potential to greatly improve lives, but it needs to be planned out and orchestrated correctly in order to be most effective. Often, an interventionist can be the right choice to help guide an intervention and help participants get the treatment they need for sobriety.