The disease of addiction is complex and has far-reaching consequences on many aspects of a person’s life. Oftentimes, sufferers are not aware of the toll their alcoholism and drug abuse have taken on their friends and family. In fact, they may not even be aware that they have crossed the line into addiction. For loved ones of people struggling with addiction, it may be difficult to understand why the addict cannot see how helpless they have become to their addiction. In this situation, it is best to seek out an intervention specialist to help you confront your loved one about their addiction in a constructive manner. Our services for drug and alcohol addiction intervention in Orange County can help break the cycle of addiction.
What is an Interventionist?
The most loving–and hardest–thing a friend or family member can do for an addict or an alcoholic is to tell them the truth about how their substance abuse has affected them. However, if the conversation is not done properly and with care, the offer to help may be rejected. This is why professional assistance is often needed for a successful intervention.
What Does an Interventionist Do?
A professional drug and alcohol interventionist facilitates an honest dialogue between loved ones and the addicted individual. It is the interventionist’s mission to help families and friends to voice their concerns regarding the addict’s behavior in a loving and hopeful manner. Each person is encouraged to share their feelings and list specific incidences in which their life has been damaged by the individual’s addiction. In the end, help is offered and a plan is put in place for the individual to get into recovery.
Typically, meetings are conducted between those staging the intervention and the intervention specialist. It is imperative that those who are planning to attend a person’s intervention go to each meeting. This is essential in order to be fully prepared. During the meetings, the interventionist can discuss the right way for loved ones to approach and word their concerns. This provides the interventionist with the opportunity to learn more about the addict, which will help the intervention go as smoothly as possible.
Drug Intervention Specialist vs Drug Counselor
Both a drug intervention specialist and a drug counselor have the same goal of getting individuals clean; however, they have different roles in the process. Starting at the beginning of treatment, a drug counselor works hands-on with those struggling with addiction, whereas a drug intervention specialist helps families plan a talk with their loved ones that will encourage the addict to seek treatment. Additionally, drug intervention specialists offer individuals treatment options at the end of the conversation, but they do not continue to meet with the addict throughout their recovery program as a drug counselor would.
How to Find an Alcohol and Drug Addiction Intervention Counselor in Orange County
Many rehab facilities either have drug and alcohol interventionists on staff or can recommend one. It is okay to speak to multiple interventionists before making a decision. It is important to find the right person for you and your loved one’s situation and personality type. Some of the most important qualities to look for in an intervention specialist should be their qualifications, compassion, and professionalism. Other traits to look for or inquire about when seeking an interventionist include:
- They have a record of excellent references
- They can provide evidence of the required credentials and qualifications
- You feel comfortable discussing this delicate subject matter with them.
- How many interventions that they have facilitated
- Their intervention style and plan for the intervention
- What services do they provide in the intervention
Benefits of Hiring an Addiction Intervention Specialist
The biggest benefit of hiring an intervention specialist is that a successful intervention gives your loved one the best chance of getting sober. This is a relief if someone has been trying to get a loved one help for alcohol or drug addiction. Lone complaints or even a series of comments from different people at different times are often not enough for a person battling an addiction to seek treatment. However, an intervention led by a trained drug intervention specialist helps loved ones form a united front that the addict cannot ignore.
Further benefits of addiction intervention in Orange County include:
- Clear Communication. The interventionist will make it very apparent why this meeting was held and what its purpose is. This often makes the individual feel less overwhelmed and makes it more likely for them to stay and listen.
- Emotional Support. Interventions are an emotional process. Emotions are difficult to control–especially in highly intense situations. Family and friends might struggle to stay calm while discussing how they have been hurt by their loved one’s addiction. A professional interventionist can help steer them in the right direction so that they can stay on track.
- Discuss Treatment Options. An interventionist knows the next steps an individual should take toward recovery and has a plan in place for the addict. They can lay out these options, guiding them toward the right treatment facility for them. This takes the pressure off the family as they might be feeling too overwhelmed by the end of the intervention to effectively communicate this information.
- Overall Smoother Process. Interventions are an intense and, sometimes, unpleasant process. However, it is a necessary one. An intervention specialist will guide the meeting from beginning to end, making sure every person is able to speak, to ensure that the process goes as smoothly as possible. When the intervention comes to a close you will feel relief and hope.
How to Encourage Your Loved One to Get Help
You want to help the addict in your life, but sometimes it is hard to know where to start. By understanding constructive approaches to encouragement, you have a better chance of convincing your loved one they need treatment.
Educate Yourself
Start learning more about addiction by reading about it or even attending local addiction support or intervention groups. Connecting with a network of knowledgeable individuals who can share their experiences and recommend intervention services and professionals to you will be very beneficial.
Share Your Concerns Freely
The foundation of a successful intervention is honesty. An intervention is only as effective as the participant’s willingness to share some difficult truths. It is imperative that you share your concerns about the addict’s health and well-being, as well as how their addiction is impacting you directly.
Addiction intervention in Orange County can help you write letters that can be read out loud during the intervention. Putting thoughts on paper helps them be more organized. It also helps family members better express their feelings without coming across as judgmental. Using the first person when sharing stories during the session, and presenting clear examples of situations where someone felt hurt by the addiction also emphasizes the impact of the problem.
Give Support
One of the challenges of encouraging an addict to seek help is convincing them that they will not be abandoned. While it can be difficult to provide support and encouragement, this is a crucial component of helping the addict. However, the best approach to ensure the patient gets proper treatment is to follow the advice of addiction specialists.
It is also important to remember that providing support does not mean giving in to the addict’s demands. This is important, especially if they’re not in line with the recovery plan. This will help the addict realize the urgency of their current situation and guide them toward recovery.
What Not to Do When Dealing with an Addict
Interventions are difficult events to navigate. In fact, you probably never imagined you would be involved in one. It is okay to not know the right thing to do or say. Though professional intervention services will keep you on track, it is important to be aware of some common mistakes so that you can avoid them.
Do Not Judge
Addiction is a complex disease. While it is perfectly normal to feel hurt or angry by the addict in your life, you should not beat them up about it. Putting the blame on the person alone will reinforce their belief that their situation affects only them, and will make them withdraw even more.
Don’t Make Idle Threats
Every intervention requires the relatives of the patient to outline the consequences that the addict might face in the event that they do not agree to seek help. These consequences can range from not providing financial support, or asking someone to move out. If, for example, the person involved chooses not to push through with the rehabilitation, be strong enough to follow through with these terms. This tough-love approach will be hard for both the family and the addict, but it paints a clear picture of the seriousness of the situation to the addict.
Don’t Do Things On Your Own
With the high-stress nature of addiction, it is common for some people to want to immediately take action. Resist going into an intervention without a solid plan. No matter how well-intentioned the action is, a lack of planning and knowledge can sabotage your efforts.
Drug and Alcohol Addiction Intervention Specialist in Orange County
It’s okay to need help when you are trying to give help. Allow a professional to aid you in getting your loved one successfully into a treatment program. What you are doing is admirable and seeing your family member or friend break free from their addiction will be far more rewarding than you could have imagined. At Ocean Hills Recovery, we offer extensive drug intervention services to make this process as easy for you as possible. Our drug and alcohol addiction intervention specialists in Orange County have the tools necessary for lasting recovery. Call or use our contact form to get started today.
