Interventions

We highlight signs that an intervention may be needed, and give you steps to create the strongest foundations possible for a loved one’s intervention. We hope this is a supportive and shining light during dark times, inspiring you to help your loved one who needs it.

What is an intervention?

An intervention is a carefully planned process where a person’s loved ones come together and create a course of action to help someone struggling with addiction. Interventions are usually shaped and designed by the loved ones themselves, ot a doctor or healthcare professional can join.

The word intervention itself comes from the Latin term intervenire, which means to come between, confront, or interrupt. Interventions certainly carry some weight in the minds of both the addicted person and the loved ones around them. An intervention, of course, comes from a place of love, yet it is done with the addicted person knowing beforehand.

Intervention plans usually end with actionable steps that help a loved one battle, and hopefully escape from, their addiction. Interventions are often a severe turning point that helps a loved one avoid getting worse. An intervention is often an emotionally charged event, so many intervention plans are designed with kindness, listening and understanding at the forefront.

What makes interventions challenging?

Interventions are naturally fraught with complexities and challenges. If they don’t carry enough weight or potential repercussions, a loved one may say one thing, and eventually do another. If they’re too severe, the addicted person may feel like your genuine attempt to help is hostile or only being used to humiliate them.

Watching someone you truly love struggle with addiction can be heartbreaking. At the hardest moments, it might benefit you to think of intervention not as an act of force to get them to comply, but as a symbol of motivation, an outcry of your love and an expression of your desire for positive change.

You might find it hard to place ultimatums on your loved one, like rules or promises they need to keep to. No two interventions are identical, and you might not feel comfortable applying force on your loved one to make them change. That being said, the benefits of them stepping out of their addiction into a sober future outweigh the perceived positives they find in substance use. After all, you only want them to live longer.

How can I be certain an intervention is needed?

You may already have had questions in your mind as to whether your loved one’s behaviour around drink or drugs needs an intervention. You might have felt it if they let you down and broke a promise to see you on a special day, or there may have been a time you needed to bail them out of trouble because of their substance use.

It’s not easy to admit when things have gone too far, but recognising the signs and symptoms of addiction can help you decide when an intervention is the best option in the long run:

• You or a family member is in danger: This includes things like drink-driving, physical aggression, or violent outbursts in the house. Your safety should not be compromised because of someone else’s drinking or drug taking.
• The consensus between loved ones agrees it’s needed: If everyone who knows the person well agrees that “something needs to be done,” it may be time to start planning an intervention before things get worse.
• You see clear indicators of health deterioration: You might see clear physical indicators that drinking or drug use is becoming a risk. They may be ill all the time or experience rapid and extreme weight loss.
• You’ve had “the talk,” more than once, to no avail: You have probably raised your concerns to your loved one countless times, and each time felt disregarded. If you’ve had “the talk” with them many times, with no changes, then an intervention may be needed.

What are the steps to plan an intervention?

While each intervention plan is unique, thoughtful preparation can make the difference between recovery and relapse. These steps lead to a compassionate intervention that gives your loved one the addiction help they need:

Where can I get help for a loved one struggling with addiction?

If you’re considering whether you need to stage an intervention for a loved one after recognising the signs and symptoms of addiction, you’ve already taken a brave first step. It shows that you care deeply about that person’s well-being and future. You might imagine that an intervention may hurt your loved one, but in the long run, it may save their life.

At Banbury Lodge, we stand ready to help families through every stage of this process. From guidance on planning your intervention to providing safe medical detox and long-term therapy, our team is here to assist in helping your loved one move towards lasting recovery.

You don’t need to suffer in silence or face the pain alone. Contact us today, as the support you give now could be the moment of real addiction help that leads your loved one to a brighter tomorrow, free from the grips of addiction.