Can you learn how to do an intervention? For those who have a loved one that is using drugs and alcohol, it is easy to feel helpless. You want to help them to stop using, but you can’t seem to get through to them. This situation is where an intervention may help. It’s important to know that an intervention is something you can do with the help of a licensed therapist, such as those members of our team at Bayview Recovery.

When Should You Do an Intervention?

An intervention is an opportunity to sit down with your loved one who is using drugs and alcohol to tell them that they need help. The goal should be for them to get immediate assistance from a licensed addiction treatment center. However, interventions are not always as scripted and as simple to set up as they seem to be on TV. Interventions can be heart-wrenching, complicated steps that save lives. You should consider them if your loved one is:

• Engaged in drug use routinely
• No longer participating in activities he or she likes
• Struggles with intense withdrawal if they miss using their drug
• Dependent on you financially
• At-risk or has overdosed in the past

If you believe your loved one is at risk, tell them that you want them to get help for addiction. That little bit of communication is the start of new opportunities. You can then learn how to do an intervention.

How to Do an Intervention for Your Loved One

Most often, interventions involve only very close family members and friends. You should not include everyone in the individual’s life. You’ll want to work with a professional as an initial step. At Bayview Recovery, our team will talk to you to learn if your loved one would benefit from obtaining drug or alcohol treatment. If so, he or she will help to set up treatment for them to ensure it is available.

The next step is to prepare what you need to say and do. Most often, this is not the time to point fingers and blame. Instead, it is a place where you can work toward accomplishing several goals:

• You’ll tell your loved one that their drug or alcohol use is impacting you, both of your lives and your future.
• You’ll discuss what is changing. You need to set boundaries, including not providing financial support to them if they are using.
• Tell your loved one that care is available to them immediately if they decide to get it.
• If they don’t decide to get help, you need to stand your ground and stop supporting them.
• Express that you care and support them in recovery.

When you work out these details in advance of an intervention, you will be able to draw clear, concise lines in what you will and will no longer do for your loved one. It’s essential to stick to this.

You will then need to sit down with the therapist as well as your loved one to discuss these new rules as well as the options for treatment available to them. Most often, this isn’t a surprise. Many people with addiction recognize the need for treatment but are scared or unable to seek it out on their own.

How We Can Help You with Interventions

From learning how to do an intervention, your next step is to provide your loved one with hope. They need to know there is support available to them. With our partial hospitalization treatment programs as well as intensive outpatient therapy, there is help for them to stop using and to recovery. Our team also provides a comprehensive level of care through holistic therapy. Also, we offer a rehab aftercare program that we’ve designed to support them for years to come on their recovery journey.

Find the Support You Need to Change at Bayview Recovery

Your life is valuable. If you or your loved one needs drug and alcohol addiction help, put your trust in Bayview Recovery. Learn how to do an intervention with our team, who can help you to encourage your loved one to find the help they need. Call us today at 855.478.3650 to see how our experienced, trusted counselors can help you.