It’s certainly not easy to see your loved one struggling with addiction, and the situation can become even more stressful when you’re not sure how to address the addiction and get that person the help that they need. Approaching the situation in a careful manner is vital in order to lead to successful recovery. We’ve outlined a guide on how to stage an effective intervention for your loved one.

Knowing When to Intervene

It’s crucial to recognize the signs that it’s time to intervene and suggesting treatment.

It may be time to step in when you notice someone is:

Having trouble at school or work
Declining in their outward appearance
Behaving aggressively or secretly
Struggling to maintain their overall health
Losing motivation to do activities they once enjoyed

Preparing the Intervention

Now that you’ve recognized the signs, the next step is to stage the intervention. First, it is greatly beneficial to find an intervention specialist that is trained to deal with these situations. This individual is skilled in communicating with one who is in denial and will serve as a neutral party that will facilitate the conversation in a calm manner. The specialist will also describe what talking points to go over and will allow the group to rehearse what they would like to say during the meeting.

Next, as a group (typically of family members and close friends) it is necessary to pick a place that is familiar and welcoming to the person. The intervention can begin, with the specialist leading the conversation and guiding the group to share their concerns. It is important to be prepared for emotional or possibly extreme reactions from the loved one. If the intervention becomes threatening or you see a potential for harm, remember to call 911 right away.

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