Why Intervene?
Why would you put together a family intervention for a loved one with a drug or alcohol problem?
Often when dealing with addiction problems it is worth turning the question on its head.
Why would you NOT put together an intervention for a person with a drug or alcohol problem?
It is important I think to consider doing nothing. As a group of concerned others, family members, friends, employers etc, to do nothing may well be exactly what is required. It could be that you are overreacting, maximising and catastrophising a relatively normal use of drink and drugs gambling etc. Under consideration, you may well come to the conclusion that this will not get worse, that the recent episodes or incidents that have caused your concern are probably going to cease now that’s the individual has experienced them. 90% of the population who use alcohol or drugs at any level will probably have a negative experience at some point, and with that experience they have the choice to not do it again. They will learn from it, and find they are able to control or stay stopped naturally.
Why Intervene?
So again, that question. Why would you do an intervention?. The simple reason is that this particular person you are considering is unable to initiate change based on negative consequences of their use of drink or drugs. They are clearly able to make rational decisions in all areas of their lives and make promises and commitments, but when it comes to the use of drink or drugs they will always return to using again at some point. It may well be so frustrating for you to witness this bizarre and troubling inconsistency coming from a person that you care about, that you find yourself attempting to make alibis and rationalisations to explain their behaviour from your own framework and reference point. This is normal, and results in the phenomenon of enabling. When a group of you get together to discuss the reality of what you are witnessing it is clear that some powers and forces are affecting a person’s life in such a way that normal argument or intellectual persuasion appears to be ineffective. It is also clear that the individual is starting to create a wall of denial to the extent of their problem. It is also evident that you are witnessing a progression that no one really believes is going to come to a happy conclusion. There can only be one effective choice. This is to change the course of a person’s future by intervening in their addiction with effective treatment. Your interventionist is able to empower you as a group of concerned others to assist a person to take the treatment now, thus preventing the worsening Rock Bottom experiences yet to happen.
Early intervention in a predictable condition ensures that a person will probably not have to lose their home, family or freedom. Interventions remove enabling and denial alongside early treatment, which in turn protects the opportunity for a fulfilling and happy live.