Drug Addiction And Intervention
Intervention is a process of bringing together a group of people who have been affected by the behavior of the addict, in a neutral location. This group is then encouraged to address the addict to inform him as to how each individual in the group has been affected. This hopefully enables the addict to face up to the fact that he has got a problem and to seek help.
Considerable preparation needs to be made before the actual intervention takes place, as it is not an easy process and the situation is anything but normal. All concerned have to be ready with what needs to be said. It is also advisable to get the help of a professional, someone who has experience of handling drug abuse and addiction and who can moderate the meeting. Such a professional can help the addict as well as handle the emotional issues that are bound to come up at the meeting.
As someone affected, it may be difficult for you initially to confront the addict, as you may fear that such confrontation may result in the addict rejecting you or hating you. This is indeed a very real possibility and you must be prepared for it. The idea behind an intervention is to let the addict become aware of the fact that his addiction affects a lot of people other than just himself. In their self-absorption due to the disease, they are not aware of this and the intervention confronts them with this fact.
Invading someone's privacy through such an intervention can be considered by some to be obnoxious and a violation of his right to choose. There is no good or bad way to intervene. Living in a society however, we are constantly influencing each other and sometimes, circumstances simply warrant that we intervene with a definite purpose.
When someone dear to us is suffering from addiction, we try to get help for him and this is a simple intervention. When the addiction has become too serious and the addict's behavior has become dangerous for himself and others, a crisis intervention is called for to calm things down and ensure safety for everyone concerned. This makes it possible to handle the crisis is in a practical manner.
The center of attention in an intervention is the addict. All participants are prepared in advance to be totally honest, if need be, brutally so, when they relate to the addict their experiences with his behavior. The atmosphere is likely to be tense and uncomfortable, but as the addict begins to realize that his addiction has become unmanageable, it would become calmer.
Intervention is an effective way to enable the addict to come to terms with his addiction in a loving and caring manner. This will enable him to accept help for his disease. A family intervention can be effected giving the addict dignity and respect in a non-judgmental way. It has proved successful and is very often the answer.