Interventions- Consequences
LIMITATIONS: Interventions may not be successful. All individuals must be on the same page in agreeing that treatment is required. The individuals must convey their message in a non-judgmental, non-punitive manner. This may be difficult if underlying anger and resentment is present. A seed may be planted even if they don't seize this opportunity.
We cannot predict what message will be heard and who the messenger will be.
o The family & friends may no longer care what happens to the person.
o They are too angry and punitive.
o They fear the anger or reaction of the addict or alcoholic.
o They are in their own denial in regards to the problem.
o Other family members and friends may be chemically dependent and are not wanting to face their own issues with substances. (Hypocritical)
o Cutoff and distance may prevent action from occurring. (Geographic's)
o Family system is well entrenched and it also fears change.
INTERVENTION PRINCIPLES
o The person has a disease that is causing significant damage in his or her life.
o Denial is part of the disease that prevents the person from fully appreciating the damage.
o The person is unlikely to seek help on their own.
o The people that surround the person can change the environment by destroying the enabling system and making it more likely that they will seek help.
o One of the most important factors influencing the person to seek help is the sense of love and concern conveyed by those involved in the intervention.
o Anger and punitive measures have no place in an intervention, and will only serve to increase the person's defenses and make it less likely that they will receive help.
o Consequences for not going to treatment should not be designed to punish the addict. They should consider the health and well being of all involved.
o Individuals that require and intervention are in a great deal of denial and need intensive treatment. (Minimum 28 days - 65 days)
o It is useful to intervene even if the person does not go to treatment. Many secondary goals can be accomplished including planting a seed for future help or beginning a rigorous outpatient recovery program.
o Family and friends don't have to suffer in silence and doubt their intuition.
"Intervention is not a "confrontation" but a well organized expression of genuine concern for a person that is sick with a chronic illness."
