If you want to encourage a loved one to break away from addiction, you could stage an intervention. This type of action can backfire if it is done incorrectly, and it can make the person more resistant to getting the help they need. Here are a few intervention tips for how you can stage a successful alcohol or drug intervention:

Get an Addiction Counselor/Therapist to Guide the Drug Intervention

There is a protocol for performing a drug intervention, and you really need the help of an addiction counselor to do things correctly. Ideally, you are going to want this professional to take part in the proceedings, but the very least you are going to want their advice. The problem with just using general advice from the web is it might not be appropriate for your loved one.

Have a Plan for the Drug Intervention

You need to have a plan for the intervention because otherwise it is likely to just turn into an argument or just a waste of time. Everyone who is going to be taking part needs to agree to the plan and everyone should be clear about their role in it. You need adapt the plan in response to the reactions of the person you are trying to help, but you still need it there to guide you.

Rehearse the Drug Intervention

It is best that you rehearse the drug intervention a few times before attempting the real thing. The good thing about doing this is that it can allow you to spot potential problems that you otherwise would have missed. It also means that when it comes time for the actual event, everyone is going to have a clearer idea of what they need to be doing.

Choose the Right Time for a Drug Intervention

You need to think carefully about when you are going to stage this type of action. The initial reaction of the person you are trying to help might be to flee, and this is going to be easier for them to do if they have an excuse like an appointment. You need to perform this intervention at a time when they have no real justification for leaving.

Arrange an Alcohol or Drug Rehab Beforehand

One of the worst mistakes you can make is to perform an intervention but not have a plan for where this person can go to get the addiction help they need. You need to have something ready, so they can be put into the drug or alcohol rehab before they have a chance to change their mind. The longer the person has to wait after the intervention to get help, the less likely they are to take action to change.

Don’t Exaggerate at a Drug Intervention

If you overstate your case at an intervention, you are going to be playing right into the hands of the drug addict. This person is going to be looking for any sign that you are trying to trick them or mislead them. If you exaggerate anything, it is going to seem to this person as if you are lying, and they then feel justified in dismissing everything you have to say.

The correct way to perform an intervention is to just stick to the facts – things are almost certainly bad enough already, so there is no need to exaggerate anything. It is also important that you speak to your loved one calmly. If it turns into a heated argument, it is unlikely that the drug intervention is going to have any real positive impact – this can make the person you are trying to help feel more resistant to help.