When considering an intervention for a loved one struggling with a mental health condition or substance use disorder, it’s important to do all you can to create a foundation for success. While the ultimate goals for each intervention can vary, they all carry the same theme: to take the first step in the healing journey toward recovery and to present an action plan. A certified addiction interventionist can help you create an effective recovery plan that makes this step possible for your loved one.
Improper planning and timing can lead to an intervention gone wrong, resulting in more heartache for the family and a more difficult time establishing and holding boundaries or regaining the trust of the person who needs their support the most. With the guidance of a trained interventionist, you can help ensure that you’re supporting your family and loved one with a thoughtful, well-timed recovery plan with actionable steps to take.
When an intervention is successful and the individual accepts the recovery plan, they can be on their way to a facility the same day. Minimizing the time between acceptance of help and transportation to a recovery center can reduce the time they have to reconsider their choice. A failed intervention usually doesn’t take every possibility and solution into account, which is why families should rely on the guidance of a well-trained intervention specialist for successful results.
Do interventions work?
While every situation, individual, and family is different, there are some key factors that are known to produce greater success when conducting an intervention. These include:
- Receiving help. Trying to assist a loved one struggling with a mental health condition or addiction requires a delicate balance of compassion and assertiveness. Receiving guidance from a well-trained intervention specialist can help get everyone on the right track and be better prepared for every outcome.
- Selecting participants. Designating who will take part in the intervention process requires honesty and consideration. Friends and family members who struggle with mental health conditions or substance use themselves, or have trouble setting boundaries and sticking to them, could possibly hinder the intervention’s success without proper guidance and structure.
- Developing a plan. Interventions require substantial planning through every part of the process. It’s important to decide the timing and meeting place for both the rehearsal and the live intervention. Having transportation in place and a preselected recovery plan can ensure that everything is prepared for the individual once they accept help. A trained interventionist can help you develop an effective plan for each step of the process.
- Preparing written statements. Friends and family are encouraged to write out their heartfelt thoughts to read during the intervention, with the goal of reminding the individual how much they are cared for. In the event that your loved one declines the help being offered, participants should have loving yet firm healthy boundaries in place. A trained interventionist can help each family member and loved one prepare effective statements.
- Performing a rehearsal. To be more prepared for success, a preparation workshop and rehearsal should be conducted. Your certified interventionist will guide you through the process, helping you learn what to expect, establish a safety plan, practice your words and actions, and be better prepared for multiple scenarios that may occur.
- Following through. If your loved one accepts the help offered, it’s important to take the first step in the recovery plan right away. This can include getting them to the preselected recovery center immediately. Following the center’s guidelines on contact and ways to support the individual should be adhered to for the best rate of success. Should your loved one refuse help, it is equally important that all friends and family stick to the boundaries they’ve laid out to avoid enabling behavior.
Failed interventions vs. successful interventions
Intervention failures are often the result of poor planning and poor execution. Not knowing how to run an intervention can cause those involved to be unprepared for recovery refusal, negotiation tactics, or even violent and aggressive responses. Being able to adapt to any and every outcome can increase the success of a planned intervention and more often results in an individual accepting the help they need. With the guidance of a certified intervention specialist, families can be better equipped to stand their ground, plan everything ahead of time, and stay on the same page throughout the process. This guidance ensures the family and loved ones are able to identify and change their own behaviors, creating healthy change even if their loved one does not accept help at that moment.
Successful interventions, on the other hand, are usually led by a compassionate intervention specialist who works with the family through every step of the process. This includes helping them develop a customized recovery plan for their loved one, leading a pre-intervention rehearsal, and facilitating transportation to a predetermined recovery center. An intervention is considered successful when the individual accepts the help offered by the intervention team and the family is willing to look at and learn how their own behaviors can change to increase the chances of long-term recovery for the whole family system. Once they all agree to adhere to the established recovery plan, the next steps of their journey toward conquering the battle with addiction can begin.
How to run a successful intervention
A successful intervention begins the process of learning and implementing healthier behavior patterns for the entire family system. When it comes to conducting an intervention, the best course of action is to seek the help of a professional team of experts. The certified intervention specialists at Hired Power know now how to have a successful intervention based on years of experience and fine-tuned expertise. They will guide you through every step of the intervention process and remain available for help during the aftercare stage to answer any questions you may have
Hired Power offers a range of addiction and mental health recovery services, addressing substance use disorders as well as co-occurring disorders. They have helped to prepare successful interventions for those suffering from mental health-related issues, eating disorders, or addiction to alcohol, drugs, or gambling, from adolescents to adults at the executive level. We encourage you to contact us today to schedule a free assessment and work towards the goal of getting your loved one on the path to recovery.