Do not go at it alone; hiring a professional family interventionist is beneficial and brings families together to start the healing process. Many families choose to host an intervention on their own, which does not end up being successful. Whereas others prefer to hire an interventionist who is experienced and familiar with the process. Family intervention works, especially with the help of a certified interventionist. Families struggling with a loved one addicted to drugs or alcohol may have attempted intervention on their own, without success and are finally asking for help. Someone consumed by addiction is not always willing to accept help or even admit they have a problem creating barriers the family may not know how to overcome. These are the top three reasons to hire a professional family interventionist.
A Family Interventionist Knows What to Expect and Prepares the Family Accordingly
Certified interventionists are trained to know what to expect during the intervention. They have the knowledge to prepare the family for the intervention, so everyone knows what to say and how to say it. For example, alcohol intervention is common because most alcoholics are stubborn and do not admit they have a problem. Convincing an alcoholic to enter an alcohol inpatient program is not easy. However, family interventionists have the experience to convince the alcoholic they need help by organizing the family and everyone then comes together as a team. Having completed numerous alcohol interventions before, there are things to expect, which the family is made of aware.
Anything could happen during a family intervention because drugs and alcohol cause unpredictable behaviors. Being prepared is essential, especially for the family or anyone involved with the intervention. When those taking part in the intervention are not prepared, the intervention becomes derailed and next to impossible to convince the drug-addicted individual to get help. The first day the interventionist spends with the family is about education and planning the intervention. Everything is organized and arranged, and each member of the intervention team has a role to play. The organization and planning pay off in the end because it saves the life of the person addicted to drugs or alcohol.
Family Interventionists Keep the Intervention on Track and Reduce Hostility in the Room
When a family attempts to perform an intervention without professional help, it may quickly go off the rails because there is no third-party mediator. Some people at the intervention may begin to blame the addict or others and use words that are attacking people, rather than being supportive and understanding. Knowing what to say and how to say it is essential, but it also takes a trained professional to ensure those involved with the intervention remain focused. Emotions run high, and the drug-addicted individual may become emotional along with those involved with the intervention. All this emotion tends to lead to hostility, which quickly turns into family and friends arguing. The point of the intervention is to save the life of the addict and not re-hash old arguments.
Reducing the hostility in the room is vital, especially when it comes to talking about drug rehabilitation. For example, a family may have organized a drug rehab center through TRICARE insurance. The drug-addicted person is going to be admitted to treatment immediately, and the TRICARE drug rehab program is prepared for the admission after the intervention. Helping the drug-addicted person understand they are going to treatment right away does not work if there is unnecessary hostility within the room. Before the intervention takes place, those involved are prepared and given a role to play. Everyone has a script and something to read, and the interventionist keeps the entire process moving forward.
Family Interventionists Remain Connected with the Family Regardless of the Outcome
Typically, family intervention is successful, but there are times where it may not work. When the family has exhausted all avenues and nothing they are saying is having any effect—they would now then present the consequences to the drug-addicted person. These are consequences if they do not attend treatment at that moment. Usually, it is something that the drug-addicted individual could not live without out and places everything in perspective. For example, they could be kicked out of the house, not allowed to see their children, lose their job, or no longer have a source of income from the family. However, if the addict does still say no, the interventionist continues to work with the family. When the family follows through with the consequences and does not waiver, their loved one will come around to the idea of treatment, and the interventionist is there to help.
A family interventionist remains in contact with the family providing counseling and guidance and will be there to escort the person to treatment when they decide to go. When the addict does agree to attend drug rehab, the interventionist also continues to work with the family. Within the first few weeks of attending drug rehab, the drug-addicted person may want to leave treatment. The interventionist continues to counsel the family and keeps them focused on what is important, saving the life of their loved one. What most people do not know about a family interventionist is that they are more than just the third-party mitigator. These professionals are the people that provide families the counseling and help they need to put an end to the cycle of addiction. They are focused on saving the life of the addict and doing whatever it takes to accomplish this. Also, assisting a family with beginning their healing process to create a supportive environment when their loved one completes drug rehab.
