When someone you love has a drug problem, it can be difficult or confusing to figure out what the best way of confronting them is. Sometimes an intervention is necessary in order to provide the person with guidance, set boundaries and provide treatment options. The goal of an intervention is to convince the drug user to get treatment and help.
Step 1
Find a therapist or substance abuse counselor to work with. This individual will be the professional available during the intervention. Identify availability and location where they can meet with the rest of the group, including the drug user.
Step 2
Identify close friends and family who would be most appropriate for the intervention. There should be four to six individuals involved. No children should be present during an intervention. These should be persons who will support the drug user in getting treatment. They should not be individuals who are using with the person of concern.
Step 3
Have the intervention group meet with the therapist or counselor. During this meeting, goals and roles should be identified for the intervention. It is important people know what they are responsible for saying and how they should act during the intervention. Expectations should be outlined by the therapist or counselor. The therapist or counselor should identify to the group how the conversation will be guided. Identify boundaries, limits, consequences and solutions that will be provided to the substance user. Rehearsals regarding what to say if the substance user refuses can help.
Step 4
Identify what treatment is needed and where the person will access the treatment. This includes the treatment facility and insurance details needed. Call the treatment facility ahead of time to set up an admission if needed. Treatment should be accessed shortly after the intervention.
Step 5
Set a meeting with the group, therapist and the substance user. The professional counselor or therapist should be present to help guide the conversation. Consequences for not agreeing to treatment should be outlined. The goal of the meeting is to convince the substance user to get treated.
Step 6
When the person agrees to go into treatment, this opportunity should be used to take the person directly there. This is important, because if a few days go by, they might change their mind. Make sure the treatment facility should be ready to accept a new admission that day if the intervention group and therapist agree a treatment facility is the treatment of choice for the situation.
Tips and Warnings
- Stay calm. Prepare the group for denial, anger and an emotional experience. Be supportive, but firm. The persons involved should be ready to follow through with consequences if the intervention is unsuccessful. Having persons that care about the affected individual the most can help motivate the person to do what they need to get the treatment they need.
