When to Call for a Drug Addiction Intervention

Here at Cardinal Recovery, part of the Zinnia family, we have the tools and techniques to guide substance users and their loved ones through the intervention process for a more successful recovery outcome.  It’s what we do best. Our professional team of interventionists, psychologists, psychiatrists, nurses, and support workers have over 150 years of combined recovery time. We know the best ways to stage an intervention because many of us have experienced this scenario in the past.  That’s what makes our drug and alcohol addiction rehab treatment center in Indiana different. We’ve been there. We’ve experienced everything that happens during and after an intervention: The rage.  The resentment.  The reluctance.  The relief.  The recovery. Now we want to help people like you.

“Where there’s hope, there’s life. It fills us with fresh courage and makes us strong again.” — Anne Frank

Interventions, Explained

Interventions typically happen at the start of the recovery process. Family members, friends, or colleagues might confront, motivate, or persuade a person they suspect has a drug or alcohol addiction problem to seek help. An intervention usually takes place in that person’s home. You should carefully plan an intervention and involve a professional alcohol and drug counselor, preferably an interventionist with experience managing these complex situations. Unfortunately, many interventions do more damage than good. That’s because a person might be in denial about their drug or alcohol issues and become withdrawn, uncooperative, angry, or even violent.  Here at Cardinal Recovery, we have years of experience staging interventions. Our prearranged treatment plans outline the steps loved ones should take when persuading someone to get help for an addiction problem. We also advise on what to do if someone refuses to go into treatment.

The road to recovery often starts with an intervention. If you know someone suffering from drug or alcohol addiction, get in touch, and we can guide you through the process. Email us or call (855) 928-1987 today for a 15-minute assessment with one of our team. 

Is an Intervention Even Necessary?

Before deciding on the right time to stage an intervention, decide if you should even intervene at all. Typically, interventions occur because a substance user is in denial. The person suffering from addiction is unlikely to seek help even though they need it. In these scenarios, it can be a good idea for loved ones to stage an intervention and motivate the person to get treatment.  There are various warning signs that someone is suffering from a drug or alcohol problem. Recognizing these signs can help loved ones decide whether to intervene and how.  Someone with drug or alcohol issues might:

• Surround themselves with new friends who use substances. 
• Cope with feelings by drinking alcohol or getting high.
• Center activities around drugs or alcohol.
• Exhibit personality changes when using (and withdrawing from) drugs or alcohol. 
• Experience external problems such as losing a job, getting arrested, receiving a DUI, etc.
• Be unable to control the amount of drink or drugs they consume. 
• Make poor decisions when under the influence of a substance, such as driving when drunk or having unprotected sex. 
• Exhibit the physical and emotional signs of drug or alcohol withdrawal. 

Loved ones might want to observe any changes in a person who might have a substance use problem, especially their relationship with alcohol or drugs. For example:

• Did that person’s prescription drug usage increase?
• Are they refilling their prescriptions more frequently?
• Are they drinking more than they did before?
• Are they agitated or angry when not consuming alcohol or drugs?

Looking for signs of tolerance and dependence can also determine whether someone has an alcohol or drug issue.  If a person exhibits many of the signs listed above, it could be time for an intervention. Staging one at the right time can help that person overcome denial and accept help. 

When Should I Have a Drug Intervention or Alcohol Intervention?

Once you determine that an intervention is necessary, you need to prepare. You might think that holding an intervention sooner rather than later will help or even “save” the person you suspect has a drug or alcohol problem. However, you could cause harm if you don’t plan an intervention.  Follow these steps instead:

• Start by gathering a group of people that the person trusts and cares for. Although someone’s addiction may make them less likely to demonstrate affection, the right people can motivate that person to seek help if you carry out an intervention correctly.
• Pick a time and a place to meet the group of people without telling the person you suspect has a drug or alcohol issue. Together, decide the best approach for staging an intervention. 
• Create an end goal for the planned intervention. 
• Decide what to say to the person during the intervention.
• Decide on the right treatment plan, if any, for that person after the intervention. This plan might include individual therapy, group therapy, medication-assisted therapy, or something else. 
• Learn how to support a substance user during and after recovery.

Talk to an interventionist, drug and alcohol counselor, psychologist, or support worker about the intervention process so you know what to expect. Interventions are stressful events for everyone involved, so having a trained professional present can make things easier. (More on this in the next section.) “When should I have a drug intervention?” is one of the most popular questions asked by concerned loved ones, and deciding when to stage your intervention can be tough. That’s why you should consult with other people and create a plan. Ultimately, if someone’s behavior or condition is worrying you, an intervention is probably necessary. 

Why You Need an Interventionist 

An interventionist is like a mediator — someone trained to negotiate situations like persuading a substance user to seek help for their addiction problem. Interventions are highly complex events that involve lots of emotions. These situations often escalate into conflict, especially if the substance user is reluctant to admit their issues.  Working with an interventionist from Cardinal Recovery can help:

• Keep communication open.
• Calm down irritated parties.
• Diffuse high-octane situations.
• Provide loved ones with emotional support.
• Encourage a substance user to get help.

An interventionist will also help you decide on the best time to stage an intervention.  A trained interventionist with an outside perspective can prevent hostility and guide everyone involved in an intervention. Working with one of these professionals makes life easier for loved ones concerned about someone who might have a drug or alcohol problem.

Are you looking to stage an intervention? We provide solutions for those with drug and alcohol addiction issues and their loved ones. Our impartial intervention programs, part of our comprehensive recovery service, can de-escalate emotional situations and encourage substance users to get the help they deserve. Call (855) 928-1987 NOW for a 15-minute assessment with one of our team. We’re here for you.

What Happens Next?

If your intervention is successful, the person you care about can start treatment straight away. The type of treatment they receive will depend on various factors, such as

• The extent and severity of their addiction problem.
• Their willingness to start recovery.
• The support of their family, friends, and colleagues.
• The rehab center offering the treatment.

Note: Just because a person accepts treatment, it doesn’t mean the end of that person’s drug or alcohol addiction. The recovery process can be a long one and involve various treatments and follow-ups. What matters is that you continue to support the person.  Cardinal Recovery provides family therapy services that motivate someone suffering from drug or alcohol addiction to recover in a quicker timeframe. This potential solution helps you understand the person’s addiction and provides you with an opportunity to support their recovery process. You can take part in family therapy sessions and communicate how someone’s addiction has affected your life, which could improve relationships and lead to more successful recovery outcomes.

How Cardinal Recovery Helps 

We provide evidence-based treatment programs for drug and alcohol addiction recovery in the Indianapolis area with an emphasis on recovery. These custom programs provide substance users with the tools they need to overcome addiction and stay sober.  Our professional team supports substance users and their loved ones during the intervention stage and can help you decide on the right time to start the recovery process. We provide ongoing support to those suffering from drug and alcohol addiction, helping people lead happier and healthier lives. Here are some reasons you should contact our Indiana rehab treatment center before staging an intervention: 

• We provide the highest quality care at all times, with a range of holistic and evidence-based therapies that guide substance users and their families through the intervention stage and onto recovery.
• Our therapies improve physical and emotional well-being and can prevent relapse. 
• We welcome patients from all backgrounds at our treatment center. We judge no one who walks through our doors. 
• Our private and intimate environment provides substance users with much-needed rest, relaxation, and respite from the temptations of the outside world.
• We customize all our recovery treatment plans based on a substance user’s circumstances and lifestyle. No two patients are the same. 
• We specialize in treating co-occurring disorders that might have contributed to a patient’s drug or alcohol addiction problem. These disorders include bipolar, depression, trauma, borderline personality disorder, and attention deficit disorder.
• Our high patient-to-staff ratio guarantees every patient gets the care and attention they deserve. 

Don’t worry about when to call about a drug addiction intervention. Or an alcohol one. If we’re not around, we’ll always get back to you.

Interventions can be full of emotions and sometimes cause more harm than good. That’s why you need to stage an intervention at the right time. Email us or call (855) 928-1987 NOW for a 15-minute assessment with one of our friendly team, and we can guide you through the intervention process.