An intervention is an opportunity for those close to a person with a drug or alcohol disorder to step forward and ask their loved one to get help. It is not something to take lightly and should be planned in advance by those involved. Most importantly, it needs to come from the heart. As you consider when to do an intervention, the holidays can be an okay time to take action, but you must do so in the right way to encourage your loved one to actually get the help they need.

When to Do an Intervention – Are the Holidays Okay?

There are often reasons to set up an intervention during the holidays. For example, family members are together, and that may mean that there’s more of an opportunity to sit down and talk. The holidays may also mean more time off for individuals, which may allow a loved one to step into care right away.

The holidays can be tricky, though, for other reasons. The most successful interventions happen when just a handful of people that are very close to the person with a substance use disorder come together. Involving too many people or ambushing someone during a holiday event or gathering is not going to work well. Instead, plan this to be a time when you can be alone and when you can work together in a positive way to get a loved one’s help.

As you think about when to do an intervention, consider a bit more about the process to ensure you know what to expect. Planning an intervention is no simple feat and while this may be it is also important to consider intervention pitfalls to avoid.

How to Perform an Intervention

In the ideal situation, you will work with a drug or alcohol therapist or counselor to start the process. That first begins with understanding what your options are, for example, where the loved one can go to get help if they decide to do so. It also helps to speak to a professional about the process in depth, so you and those involved understand how to perform an intervention safely.

If possible, work with a professional who will handle the intervention for you. Even if you plan to do it yourself, there are a few things to consider.

• Choose a handful of people to engage in the process based on how close they are to the loved one’s day to day life – not just a family member because they are a family member. Look for those who are active in their life.
• Have each person write down their feelings with a strong focus on discussing how the addiction has impacted the loved one’s life, the facts about what they see happening, and how it has impacted the relationship between you and the individual.
• Encourage the loved one to meet to discuss the matter without any blame. The goal of an intervention is not to say, “you did this to yourself and to us,” but to say, “I know this is hurting you, and I want to help you get help.”
• Encourage your loved one to enter into treatment right away. To do that, you may have to offer help, such as funding to get to the treatment center or support in watching their children so they can step away and get into detox.

Be ready to hear a lot of good and bad during an intervention. Even as you learn how to perform an intervention, you may be unsure how your loved one is going to react. Most people will be shocked, scared, and in some situations, may be unsure of what to do next. One can also stage an intervention for a loved one if it becomes overbearing

If done improperly or at the wrong time, it can lead to loved ones spiraling out of control. Because addiction carries the risk of overdose, it’s critical not to put your loved one in a place where they are pushing themselves to that point. Be sure that they have a support network in place of people who genuinely want to help them to get better and those who are willing to help them move forward.

You Don’t Have to Do This on Your Own

For more information on how to complete an intervention please contact us online today to speak with our admissions team at 1st Step Behavioral Health. If you are someone planning an intervention or know a loved one that is staging one, you can help them through this process by being armed with a plan. Work with our admissions team to help you create one by calling or texting us at (855) 425-4846. Don’t wait to get help for your loved one, but instead, take the first step now.