Getting a loved one into a drug rehab treatment facility isn't easy. It can be emotionally distressing to stage an intervention. While some interventions come after a loved one's desperate admission to drug dependency, most don't. In fact, most interventions are staged at the height of an addict's denial of their problem.
Here are some important things to consider…
First, find a local drug rehabilitation facility and ask if they have any openings. If they do, tell them that you have a prospective client and that you wish to reserve the bed for later in the day/week.
Enlist the help of a professional interventionist to facilitate the process. While keeping it in the family might seem painless, it is also ineffective. Professional interventionists can act as the ombudsman between you and your loved one so that nothing is left unsaid, your intentions are clear, and your loved one understands them.
Hold the intervention in a setting that your loved one is familiar with, like their home. It's important that they feel safe initially, as it can sometimes take hours of removing them from their comfort zone in order to convince them that they need drug rehab treatment. Once you have the process under way, keep a calm, low, non-confrontational tone for the duration of the visit. Don't match their anger with yours, as the more they feelthey can express their fears in a safe environment, the more receptive they may become.
Pack their bags beforehand. In doing this, you may feel like you've already made the decision for them. This is, however, not true. Your job, and the job of the professional interventionist, is to convince them that they're ready for rehab, and often times, having their bags packed beforehand can bypass a critical loss in positive momentum.
About the Author
Michele Lavigne is the Owner of Wellminded Center, a drug rehab treatment center located in Irvine, CA. For over 20 years Wellminded Center has been providing effective rehab treatment that focuses on the mind, body and spirit, and has helped scores of teenagers and adults overcome drug and alcohol dependence.
