Friends and relatives of a person who is abusing or addicted to drugs often wonder if a drug intervention is in order. The purpose of a drug intervention, which is a meeting between a drug abuser and people that the drug abuser can trust, is to confront a drug abuser about his or her behavior. When is it time for a drug intervention? The best time is when drug abuse is having a negative impact on the health and well-being of the abuser and on people who depend on and care about the abuser.
Waiting too long to plan a drug intervention can have catastrophic results. Left untreated, drug abuse can become addiction and addiction can lead to overdose. It may seem judgmental to step forward and confront a drug abuser or addict, but statistics show that most drug abusers and addicts will not seek treatment on their own. Substance abuse puts an individual into a state of denial that blinds them to the crisis they are creating for themselves and their loved ones.
It’s important to consult a drug intervention professional before initiating an intervention. A professional interventionist can evaluate the situation and determine whether an intervention is in order. Drug intervention is a serious process that should be initiated only under professional supervision. When attempted without an interventionist, there is a risk of alienating the drug abuser and completely breaking down the lines of communication.
A professional drug interventionist will help determine who should be involved in the intervention – it may an entire group of family members and friends or just one or two. Once it has been determined who will participate in the drug intervention, the interventionist can counsel everyone in preparation for the event. Besides serving as the event organizer, the interventionist is an unbiased observer who can help everyone stay calm and focused. Based on past experience with other drug interventions, the interventionist will know how to handle each individual