Substance use disorder (SUD) can affect more than just the person using the substance. It affects everyone around them, including their loved one: you. You have to experience all the negatives of their substance use without the high they get. You have to watch as their substance use changes their life for the worse and who they are as a person. 

It can be tough to watch this and not start to feel negatively toward them. The best thing to do is to remember you are not responsible for their substance use or associated behavior. You can show support towards them seeking help by holding an intervention. 

What Is an Intervention?

An intervention is when you and other loved ones of someone struggling with addiction get together to express concerns about their substance use. This is not a time to place blame or judgment on the person with SUD, but rather a time for you to express how the substance use is affecting their life and your relationship with them. 

Remember that you love this person and don't want to make them feel attacked because that could further push them away from you and treatment. You want them to know that you care about them and are doing this as a means to help, 

Planning a successful intervention takes time, patience, and determination. There are many things to think of and have a planned reaction for. This way, you can maximize your chances of having a positive interaction and them wanting to seek help. 

Steps for a Successful Intervention

Preparing for an intervention with these tips will make it more effective. 

Find a Location

You should consider locations that are familiar and feel safe for them. This will allow them to enter a calm and decrease their desire to leave.

Determine Who Should Be Involved

This should include yourself, friends, and family members that are close to the individual. These individuals should also have the mindset that they love the person with SUD and want to help them. You want supportive people who show compassion but still hold the person with SUD accountable.

Keep in mind that you want to keep the group small and intimate. It should only include the people who will most affect someone struggling with addiction.

You do not want people that will come in to point fingers and be accusatory because it may lead to the person with SUD becoming closed off and lashing out.

Practice What You Want to Say

You want to get your point across as quickly and concisely as possible. This will allow you to hold their attention longer and give others a chance to share. 

Choose your words carefully and with love in mind. Remember that the words and tone you use can change the mood of the person addicted to substances from listening and caring to closed off and spiteful.

Give ultimatums in a caring but effective way. They allow you to present the consequences to them. These may also act as the final push for them to seek help. 

Seek Out Professional Assistance

Find a professional to help prepare for the intervention and be an unbiased party, such as the people at Next Level Recovery. A professional may also be able to see warning signs of violent outbursts. They can also help keep a positive and calm atmosphere.

Plan for Reactions

Prepare for both reactions, positive and negative. 

Positive Reactions

If the person with SUD seems to be listening and remaining calm, you are heading in a positive direction. This means that when it is time for them to respond, let them talk. They may surprise you by agreeing with what you have to say, or they will try to argue that they don't have a problem. As they're presenting their arguments out loud, they may see the fault in their reasoning on their own. 

Remember to show them that you are listening to what they are saying, but express that just because you are listening doesn't mean you agree with them.

Be prepared for manipulation techniques. They may seem calm, but they are thinking about convincing you they don't have a problem. They could also be putting on an act that they will change their ways when they have no plan.

Negative Reactions

If the individual is reacting badly to the intervention, remember that does not equal failure. You did the intervention out of love and still showed that you care and want to help. Reinforce your ultimatums at this point to ensure the consequences of their continued use are known.

The Next Level Recovery Difference

Next Level Recovery is all about personalization and meeting your unique needs. This includes during their interventions.

Our interventions are different because:

• We are individualized to fit your needs

• We do five to seven days of recon before the intervention

  • This includes screenings, counseling, talking to friends and family

  • They use this recon to make treatment recommendations

• There are always two professionals involved

• We emphasize family and friend involvement

  • We hold group sessions and teach breathing exercises to help with anxiety before the intervention

• Next Level Recovery practices language to convey the message without using negative terms like "addict."

Having a loved one with substance use disorder can be difficult, scary, and lonely. It can cause you to feel embarrassment, fear, shame, anger, disappointment, and resentment toward them. These negative feelings can further hurt your relationship and cause distance between you. You aren't the cause of their substance use, nor are you responsible for their behavior. To help them see that they have a problem, you can support them in getting help through an intervention. You are not alone, and there are people who want to help. We at Next Level can provide a personalized experience to ensure you get everything you need to get help for your loved one. For more information, email us at consult@nextlevelra.com.