Treatments |
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Drug
Addiction |
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The Steps of Intervention
- Stop all “rescue missions.” Families often
try to protect a drug addict from the results of their behavior
by making reasons to others about their addiction problems
and by getting them out of drug-related jams. It is important
to cease all such rescue attempts immediately, so that the
addicted person will totally experience the harmful effects
of his usage and thereby have better reasons to stop.
- Do not enable them. Sometimes family members feel sorry
for the person or tend to avoid the individual; let them
come and go as they please. This comes across to the addict
as a reward—after all, all he wants is to be left
alone. Be careful not to reward by paying his bills, bailing
him out of jail, letting him stay for free, etc. This type
of reward creates out exchange and criminal behavior.
- Time your drug abuse intervention. If possible, plan to
speak with the person in need of intervention when he is
straight. Choose a time when all of you are in a calm frame
of mind and when you can talk privately.
- Be specific. Tell the addicted person that you are concerned
about his drug or alcohol abuse and want to support him
in getting help. Back up your concern with examples of the
ways in which their drug addiction has caused problems for
you and others , including any recent incidents.
- State the consequences. Tell the addict that until he
or she gets help, you will carry out consequences—not
to punish the abuser, but to protect yourself and others
from the harmful effects of the addiction. These may range
from refusing to be with the individual when they are under
the influence of drugs or alcohol, to having them move out
of the house. DO NOT make any threats you are not prepared
to carry out. The basic intention and purpose is to make
the abuser’s life more uncomfortable if he continues
to use drugs than it would be for him to get help.
- Find strength in numbers with the help of family members,
relatives and friends to confront the addict as a group.
However,you want to choose a person to be the initial spokesperson.
It will be much more effective for the others to simply
be there nodding their heads, than it would be for everyone
to talk at once and “gang up on him.” Remember
the idea is to make it safe for him to come clean and get
help.
- Listen. If during your drug addiction intervention the
abuser begins asking questions like; Where would I have
to go? For how long? This is a sign that he is reaching
for help. Do not directly answer these questions. Instead
have him call in to talk to a professional. Support him.
Do not wait. Once you’ve gotten his agreement, get
him admitted immediately. Therefore, you should have a bag
packed for him, any travel arrangements made, and prior
acceptance into a program.
Call us now and we will help
you.
1-800-391-4893
Online Consultation
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