Addiction is a disease that affects both the person with substance use disorder and their loved ones. It’s often hard for family members to know how best to help a loved on with substance use disorder, but various interventions can be used depending on the severity of the addiction.
If you have a loved one who needs help with addiction, it’s important to remember that they need your support and understanding more than anything else. But if they don’t get the help they need, substance abuse problems will destroy them—and it may eventually destroy you too.
The sooner something is done about addiction, the better chance someone has at recovery and life outside of alcoholism and drug dependence. If you suspect someone close to you might be suffering from substance use disorder, it’s important for you to remember that they need your help more than anything else. In these next few paragraphs, we’ll cover how to determine what kind of intervention best suits the person with substance use disorder.
What is an intervention, and why does a person with substance use disorder need them
An intervention is a process where friends, family, and/or professionals confront a person with substance use disorder about their addiction and urge them to seek treatment centers. People with substance use disorder need interventions because they often do not realize they have a problem or are in denial about the severity of their addiction. An intervention can be an effective way to get a person with substance use disorder to see that they need help and to get them into a treatment center.
The different types of interventions that are available
A few different types of interventions can be used when helping a person with a substance use disorder. The most common type is family intervention, which is when the person with substance use disorder’s family and friends come together to confront their addiction. This type of intervention is often successful because it involves the person with substance use disorder’s loved ones in the process.
Another type of intervention is professional intervention, which is when a professional such as a therapist or counselor helps to guide the conversation and confrontation. This type of intervention is often used when the person with substance use disorder is unwilling to seek help from their family and friends.
The third type of intervention is peer intervention, which is when the person with substance use disorder confronts another person with substance use disorder about their addiction. This type of intervention is often successful because another person with substance use disorder can understand and relate to what the person with substance use disorder is going through.
No matter which type of intervention a person with substance use disorder goes through, it is important for those around them to support and encourage the person with substance use disorder as they work towards recovery. It is also important to monitor the person with substance use disorder after their intervention, as they may have a harder time coping with their addiction.
The stages of intervention
Interventions are typically staged to ensure that they are as effective as possible. There are typically three stages of intervention: pre-intervention, intervention, and post-intervention.
Pre-intervention is when the person with substance use disorder is first contacted and informed about the intervention. This stage is important because it allows the person with substance use disorder time to prepare for what will happen. It also gives them a chance to get help if they need it.
The intervention stage is when the person with substance use disorder meets with their family and friends. This is often a very emotional meeting and can be difficult for everyone involved. However, it is important that this meeting occur so that the person with substance use disorder can understand how their addiction has affected those around them.
The post-intervention is the final stage, and it takes place after the person with substance use disorder have either decided to go to rehab or not. This stage is important because it ensures that the intervention is only a necessary last resort. Sometimes a person with substance use disorder will refuse treatment initially, but then realize how badly they need help later on. The post-intervention allows time for this realization to happen.
Choosing the right intervention for a person with substance use disorder
When choosing an intervention for a person with substance use disorder, it is important to consider the specific needs of the person with substance use disorder. There are a variety of interventions that can be used, and each one is tailored to the person with substance use disorder’s specific needs. Some interventions may be more appropriate for those who are struggling with serious mental illness, while others may be more appropriate for those who are struggling with addiction.
- The first is the person with substance use disorder’s specific needs. Every person with substance use disorder is different, and so each intervention must be tailored to their individual needs.
- The second factor to consider is the person with substance use disorder’s level of addiction. Some interventions are better suited for more severe addictions, while others are better for milder addictions.
- The third factor to consider is the person with substance use disorder. If the person with substance use disorder is in a supportive environment, then a less intensive intervention may be successful. If the person with substance use disorder is in an unsupportive environment, then a more intensive intervention may be necessary.
Ultimately, the best way to choose a successful intervention for a person with substance use disorder is to consult with a professional intervention team. They can assess the person with substance use disorder and determine what type of intervention is best for them.
What happens after a person with substance use disorder agrees to go to rehab
After a person with substance use disorder agrees to go to rehab, they will need to follow through with their commitment. This means attending all of their appointments and committing to the treatment plan. If they fail to do so, it can be very difficult for them to get back on track.
Rehab can be difficult, but it is often the best chance a person with substance use disorder has at recovering from their addiction. With the right support, they can overcome their addiction and get back to living healthy life.
To make sure that a rehab center is the right fit, a person with substance use disorder will need help from their loved ones. If they have been using drugs or alcohol for some time, their entire lives may already be centered on making money to buy more of their drug and maintain their current pattern. This means that their family members and friends need to step in and take care of them as they seek treatment.
How family and friends can support a person with substance use disorder during rehab
You can provide a great deal of support for your loved one before his or her arrival, while he or she is in treatment, and after their release from a drug abuse rehab program by following these steps:
- Keep lines of communication open
- Be understanding and non-judgmental
- Don’t enable your loved one’s substance addiction by buying them drugs, giving them money, etc.
- Offer to attend doctor’s appointments with your loved ones during treatment, so they don’t feel alone
- Ensure that your loved one has transportation during and after treatment
- Offer to attend family therapy and meetings with your loved one’s rehab team so everyone can be on the same page about his or her recovery plan
- Make sure they have a strong support system at home, including friends and family members who will help them through their journey to sobriety.
What to do if the person with substance use disorder relapses after treatment
Your loved one may have gone through drug rehabilitation, but they are not cured of their drug addiction yet. It’s important that you continue to support them for as long as they need it, which could be many months or even years, depending on your loved one’s situation. The process of helping your loved one recover from alcohol and drug addiction to rebuild their life requires patience and commitment. Here are some things you can do:
- Take steps to prevent your loved one from falling back into substance abuse, such as taking over their social life, so they don’t feel tempted by old friends who want them to fall back into old habits
- Make sure your loved one is otherwise occupied, such as through continued treatment (including counseling and support groups), school, or employment
- Familiarize yourself with alcohol and drug abuse signs and symptoms, and keep an eye out for them. Be honest about how you feel if any suspicions arise
- Keep in touch with your loved one’s treatment providers so you can discuss any problems or concerns
- Support your loved one unconditionally. You don’t have to agree with every decision they make but always offer love and support as they work through their recovery process
How to help a person with substance use disorder who relapses after rehab
If your loved one relapses after going to a drug or alcohol treatment program, you should consider it a slip-up and not the end of their recovery process. Help your loved ones pick themselves back up by following these steps:
- Remain supportive and loving by offering unconditional love and reassurance that you still believe in them
- Work with your loved one to develop a new addiction treatment plan that addresses what went wrong before and helps them avoid the same mistakes in the future
- Find out why your loved one relapsed, if possible (was it because of stress, boredom, or outside pressure?), and plan ways to cope with their triggers, so they don’t fall back into old habits in the future
- If your loved one was using drugs or alcohol to cope with emotional pain, work with them on healthier forms of coping before they relapse again
- Continue to encourage your loved one to get counseling, attend support groups and meet regularly with their professional treatment provider to get help before a slip turns into a full relapse.
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