What’s Involved in a Minnesota Drug Addiction Intervention?

If you know someone who suffers from substance use it can be physically, mentally and emotionally difficult. When the person lives with you it can add to stress levels. Many that struggle with substance use are in denial unless confronted in some way.  

What is a Drug Abuse Intervention?  
Drug abuse interventions are a planned structured meeting with people that are close to the person and/or someone else who has struggled with substance use. The meeting is to help confront the person with substance use and provide an opportunity to change behaviors and get the support they need.  
 
How It Works 
The intervention is designed to help people with substance use problems recognize their use is linked to the problems in their lives. It allows the friends and family of the person a chance to share how they have seen the person struggling, have been impacted and how they themselves have been affected by the person’s use. There is an element of education that happens during an intervention and providing information to attendees. It provides a united front to the person struggling with addiction that the people that care about them are in agreement regarding their addiction concerns.  

Preparing for an Intervention 
Interventions should be carefully planned and include:

• Contacting family, friends and those close to the person 
  parents, spouses, teens, adult children, siblings, co-workers and close friends.) 
• Contact professionals and make plans for treatment following the intervention. -Hiring a professional interventionist (who is trained and has experience in managing peoplestruggling through addiction and families through the intervention) can be a vital piece in navigating it. 
  Understand your loved one’s drug/substance of choice. Collecting as much information to provide the person struggling, as it is hard to fight addiction when there is little understanding on the damage is has and can still cause.  
• Determine the boundaries that need to be set for the person struggling and yourself if they refuse to utilize the support offered or make changes. Some examples are not allowing them to stay with you, not providing finically moving forward, cutting ties, informing their probation officer or others.   

When to Schedule an Intervention 
Appropriate timing to complete an intervention is extremely important. If you know they are usually under the influence and mentally impaired starting in the afternoon, aim to complete it in the morning. This would allow them to be able to think and react a little more clearly. Following the person getting charged with a drug related crime can also be a good time to hold an intervention as it is in the forefront of their brain that it is bigger than 

Other Considerations and Warnings 

• A successful intervention should not be rushed and tends to last a couple of hours. It can take multiple meetings (sometimes even three or more) and additional therapy for participants following the intervention.  
• An easy way to make your intervention ineffective is to not define the goals. Make sure goals are clear, realistic and specific and timely  
• When addressing the person struggling with addiction, body language is important. Using body language that is warm, and open (such as unclenched hands, looking directly at the person, tilt towards them and avoid crossing arms and legs.) 
  It is important to keep a calm environment. Work hard to not lose your temper and avoid inviting a person that is prone to being angry.  
• A person who struggles with an addiction can respond in various unpredictable ways when confronted by loved ones. Have a backup plan for if they yell, cry, make hurtful comments or even leave the room.  
• The most important one: never give up on your loved one. If they refuse help the first time, keep reaching out and providing information on how important it is to receive professional help.  

Treatment for drug addiction does work. If you or someone you love is battling drug or alcohol addiction, don’t hesitate to reach out to Club Recovery LLC. As a leading treatment center for alcohol, drug and gambling abuse, we have a proven reputation for helping people recover from addictions. Please call (952) 926-2525 for a personal assessment and learn more about how we can help you and your loved one. 

Disclaimer: All content on this website is for informational purposes only. It does not substitute for clinical treatment or advice. If you, a friend, or a family member is struggling with mental health and/or addiction issues please call our main office at 952-926-2526. For emergencies, go to your nearest emergency room and/or dial 911.