Interventions: The difference between doing it alone versus with professional help

Interventions are a carefully planned approach created by professionals and the family to help someone struggling with substance use realize the adverse consequences of their addiction, advise that they need help, and have support to take their life to the Next Level. The purpose behind this meeting is to have the family and friends come together to express their concerns for their struggling loved ones to take action towards healing. Each intervention is unique to the individual family's situation. Our team at Next Level Recovery Associates will help with strategic planning of the family meeting, treatment selection, resources, coaching & guidance for families, case management, and transportation. The intervention should focus on the positive and point out that the substance use disorder causes negative changes in behavior. But there is a solution: detox and a comprehensive rehabilitation program.

According to the?Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA)?'s?2003 National Survey on Drug Use and Health: National findings, most substance users don't realize they have an addiction or feel ready to stop using substances.?

According to?SAMHSA's NSDUH 2016?study, about 19.9 million adults needed substance use treatment in the previous year in America. Of this population, 806,000 individuals felt the necessity of treatment, which makes up only 4.05 percent of the total number. In addition, 38.1 percent reported not being ready to stop using alcohol or illicit drugs.

Who Should Be Present In An Intervention

An intervention should consist of individuals who care for and are the most concerned about their loved one's substance use disorder. This group can include family, partner or spouse, co-workers, close friends, and anyone who may face the consequences of the person's behavior. A professional interventionist might lead and direct the intervention.?

Some researches have shown that social consequences put forth by family and friends are among the most important motivators for treatment entry. However, note that the confrontation should not portray resentment towards the person's behavior dealing with substance use. Hence, anyone who might sabotage the meeting should not participate in the group. Instead, they may write a letter to be present at the intervention.?

What Happens When You Seek Trained Interventionists VS When You Do It Alone

The National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence (NCADD) reports a higher than 90 percent success rate of interventions involving a trained professional result in the addict agreeing to seek treatment.

• Trained interventionists will design the intervention plan based on their research on struggling individuals, families, and surroundings. This pre-planned approach improves the success rate of the intervention.?

• It's crucial to consult with professionals before staging the intervention. A trained interventionist should guide the family meeting as nonthreatening and show concern.

• A professional interventionist will help you plan your actions if your loved one gets defensive about their addictive behavior. Overall, Hiring a professional to help facilitate this meeting drastically improves the odds of the successful intervention and the identified loved one receiving help.?

Intervention Treatment Offered By Next Level Recovery Associates

At?Next Level Recovery Associates Inc.,?we have a?team?of trained and experienced interventionists to help you stage an intervention for your loved one. Our intervention process is thorough, clinically focused, and utilizes an array of techniques to help motivate a loved one to decide to receive help. Our approach is researched based and conducted by several experienced professionals that will help guide families through the entire process from beginning to end. For example, our Co-founder, Amanda Marino, is also a proud member of the?Association of Intervention Specialists (AIS).?

To know more about our intervention program, please read our?FAQ page.?

References

Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. (2004). Results from the 2003 National Survey on Drug Use and Health: National findings (Office of Applied Studies, NSDUH Series H–25, DHHS Publication No. SMA 04 –3964).?Rockville, MD: Author.

Park-Lee E, Lipari RN, Hedden SL, Kroutil LA, Porter JD. Receipt of Services for Substance Use and Mental Health Issues Among Adults: Results from the 2016 National Survey on Drug Use and Health. In: CBHSQ Data Review. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (US), Rockville (MD); 2012. PMID: 29431966.

Krampen, G. (1989). Motivation in the treatment of alcoholism. Addictive Behaviors, 14(20), 197–200.

Weisner, C., Matzger, H., Tam, T., & Schmidt, L. (2002). Who goes to alcohol and drug treatment? Understanding utilization within the context of insurance. Journal of Studies on Alcohol, 63, 673– 682

NCADD – Intervention Tips & Guidelines