For a drug intervention to be successful, everything needs to go right. It helps to have the intervention at the perfect setting and time, with all the important people in the addict’s life, and with all of the best treatment information on hand. Informal interventions can be effective without everything going perfectly, but if you’re planning an event after years of trying and failing to get your loved one to quit abusing, you don’t want to get things off track by doing it at the wrong time.
The first thing to consider is the addict’s comfort. Obviously, they are not going to be involved in the planning personally, so you’re going to have to rely on your knowledge of their habits. Try to have the drug intervention at a time when the addict is usually not on drugs, not tired or stressed out, and not liable to become defensive. In other words, schedule it at a time when he or she is most likely to be volatile.
While it’s important to have the intervention when the addict will be comfortable, it’s equally important to do it before the addiction gets out of control. Interventions may involve a lot of planning and preparation, but this isn’t like a wedding or a birthday party; time is of the essence, so try to schedule the event for the earliest possible time when all of the addict’s essential family and friends can make it.
Meanwhile, you also need to make sure that you have all the information about treatment options on hand. While there is plenty of easily accessible information about outpatient and inpatient rehab programs online, you might want to dig a little deeper in your research. Make a list of a few possible treatment facilities in your area, and also have on hand information about local support groups and addiction treatment therapists. Gathering all this information takes a little work, so make sure you have enough time.
