Do you have a loved one who is falling deeper and deeper into drug or alcohol addiction?

As another new year starts you have probably made your resolutions on ways to change your life for the better. While you are thinking about your resolutions to improve your life in 2016, think also of the ones you love and how you might be able to help them too. Do you have a loved one who is falling deeper and deeper into drug or alcohol addiction? If you do, then there is no time like the present to get them the help they need by arranging for a professional intervention.

Are you thinking to yourself that it’s really none of my business or why should I do anything, I am not the one with the problem? You should be aware that most people with a substance abuse problem need a loved one to take action on their behalf to start them on their road to recovery. Those who don’t have an advocate trying to get them help will often get to the point where they are facing possible legal sanctions, financial disaster, ruined marriages or some other types of catastrophes. Instead of waiting for calamity to strike, you can make sure your loved one gets the help they need now.

The problem is that confronting a loved one about his or her addiction can be intimidating, overwhelming and extremely difficult. If you are ready to say “enough is enough” to your loved one, but are unsure of how to get started, follow this guide to get your parent, sibling, spouse, friend or coworker into addiction recovery in 2016.

Realizing There is A Problem

One of the biggest difficulties a family member or close friend of a person with an potential problem faces is knowing when recreational use is developing into an addiction. This is especially true with alcohol because it is legal to consume, and being drunk is often socially accepted and even encouraged. If a friend is doing heroin multiple times a week, there\’s obviously a problem; but what level of alcohol or prescription pill abuse warrants an intervention?

Signs of Addiction to look for in an individual:[1]

• Openly using illicit drugs.
• Continually increasing usage of prescription pills.
• Hiding alcohol abuse.
• Lost relationships, jobs and/or financial stability due to substance abuse.
• Work and/or school performance is suffering.
• Drinks or uses drugs uncontrollably.
• Neglects other activities in favor of substance abuse.
• Has family history of addiction.
• Has noticeable deterioration in hygiene and physical appearance.
• Continues substance abuse despite negative life consequences.
• Encountered legal problems as a result of substance abuse.

When someone you care for falls into one or several of the categories listed above, it may be time to take action. Without an intervention you are allowing your loved one to continue down their current path of self-destruction. Unfortunately, this self-destructive path often ends with incarceration, death or severe health difficulties.

How to Hold an Intervention

It’s easy to say that it’s time to take action, but actually doing so is a completely different story. Confronting your loved one about their substance abuse habits can easily devolve into a shouting match and can get more personal than necessary. Most substance abusers either believe they do not have a problem or they are sure they can stop using at any time. Since addiction is a chronic brain disease, your addicted loved one feels a deep-seated need for the drug that has become chemically ingrained in the brain.[2] Simply telling them they should stop is not likely to have much effect.

For this reason, many families opt to have a group intervention where and attempt to get their loved one to admit they have a problem and to accept treatment. These interventions look much easier on television than they actually are in real life. A botched intervention could have disastrous results, including your loved one distancing themselves from your family and falling deeper into substance abuse and addiction.

Why You Need a Professional Intervention

A professional interventionist is trained how to get your loved one to accept the help they need. Unfortunately, many unsupervised interventions never get off the ground. They are often disorganized, combative and unproductive. A licensed professional interventionist understands what needs to happen at the intervention and how to organize and instruct all relevant parties on what to say and how to say it. If things get off course, a professional interventionist can guide the intervention back on track and see it to a successful conclusion.

Elements of a Successful Intervention[3]

• Person who intervention is being held for must be sober and of clear mind
• No personal attacks
• Stay on topic
• Have a treatment option in place beforehand
• Limit the attendees to only close friends and family
• Practice and discuss what will be said
• Have consequences ready in the event your loved one declines treatment
• Have one united voice and goal

A licensed professional interventionist uses their training and impartiality to keep the intervention on track and get your loved to accept the help they need.

Don’t Attempt To Do This Alone

Don’t make the mistake of trying to conduct your loved one’s intervention without the help of a professional. The professional interventionists that BHOPB works with have helped thousands of families get their loved ones the help they need.

Addiction only gets worse with time, and anyone suffering from substance abuse is very unlikely to take it upon themselves to seek treatment. Failing to take action could end in disaster – don’t wait till it’s too late. An intervention is the first step in getting your loved one back again. If someone you love is habitually abusing drugs and alcohol and slowly destroying his or her life, contact us today for help. Call us at 888-997-3274 to learn more about how we can help.