Defining the problem and realizing what’s happening
An addicted person's first love is the drug, alcohol, cocaine, food, gambling, computer or anything that allows them to change their mood and get them high.
Several of the many symptoms you’ll notice may include extreme self-centeredness/selfish behavior, blaming others for their condition, as well as continuing their self destructive behaviors, despite knowing the consequesnces. They simply DO NOT CARE.
If you are living with the addicted person, you may have already become an unwilling, yet supportive cast member. You cry, argue, plead, beg, threaten, draw the line in the sand, and then forgive the addict, only to begin the horrible process all over again. You believe, hope, cover and lie for them, give them money and a respectable home. They repay you with lies, problems, promises, and eventually they (or you) go broke. Nothing changes!
When you expect things to get better by themselves, which they do not, your acceptance of this illness becomes a way of life. Remaining quiet about the addicted person’s behavior further enables their disease, directly affecting everyone in your family system. As anxiety builds, not only are the family’s financial assets depleted, but the family’s psychological well being is jeopardized. Unconsciously, you become part of the problem. Choices are reduced to getting your loved one professional help, or separating from them altogether. An intervention is a great solution by breaking the dysfunctional cycle of tolerance and getting your addicted loved one the help they desperately need.
It’s all About Planning and Love!
Interventions work best when they’re well organized and focused on love. Though they often don’t realize it, the addict is sick and has a disease. At Addiction Services we reach out with dignity and respect to that part of the addict that wants to be healed. Heart-to-heart sincerity, knowledge and experience are the keys to our success.
The Basic Steps
Working together we’ll define what the addict has to lose by continuing their destructive behavior. We discover how important the other things in their life are, as compared to the addiction and we use these to our advantage. The focus is usually on the spouse, kids, friends, job, embarrassment, etc.
We determine the principal players in the intervention, develop the message, and make sure everyone is in accordance, delivering the same message to the addict, "Go immediately to Rehab or we are saying 'good-bye'. We simply cannot stand to watch you self-destruct."
We plan on how to deliver the message. One way is one on one, privately and quietly. Sometimes we invite the addict to talk with us. Other times we’ll do the traditional “ambush at dawn”. In each case we make our terms known in a loving, firm way. The effect is simply overwhelming to the addict and we are usually able to persuade them with this sudden new family direction. As outsiders to your family, we’re able to be impartial. We focus on the plan and will not be influenced by the manipulation techniques addicts often employ. In the end, an intervention is a process from which the whole family will benefit and grow.
