When Should I Stage an Intervention For an Addicted Loved One?

Watching your loved one struggle with addiction can be emotionally devastating. Oftentimes, when people struggle with addiction they have a hard time understanding how dire their own issues with substance abuse have become. If you find yourself frequently worrying about your loved one’s well-being, you may have begun considering staging an intervention. Interventions can be extremely effective in convincing your addicted loved one to accept professional help.

However, it can be difficult to decipher when it’s the right time to stage an intervention for an addicted loved one. You may be worried about acting too soon and scaring your loved one away. On the other hand, you might be worried that you have waited too long to host an intervention. Thankfully, there are ways to tell when it is the right time to host an intervention for an addicted loved one.

If your loved one’s addiction has become severe and they have no plans of attending an addiction treatment program, it may be time to host an intervention.

Signs That Your Loved One Needs an Intervention

When your loved one is struggling with addiction, you will probably notice a change in their behavior. They may be staying out later, not communicating with you as often, or even getting into frequent legal trouble. But when is it time for you to intervene?

If you notice that your loved one’s addiction has become severe enough to significantly impact their life and ability to function, an intervention may be necessary.

Here are a few situations that may indicate it is the right time to stage an intervention.

Significant Changes in Behavior

Addiction and frequent substance abuse tend to “rewire” the brain. When an individual continuously abuses a substance, the pleasure and reward system of their brain begins to rely on drugs and alcohol to function properly. This is what causes your loved one to seemingly behave like a different person. Their motivations and interests suddenly shift to focus on obtaining, using and recovering from drugs and alcohol.

Some of the behavioral signs to look out for include:

• Frequently missing work or school
• Poor performance at work or school
• Inability to complete daily tasks
• Poor personal hygiene
• Uncharacteristic mood swings
• Isolating from friends and family
• Being secretive about whereabouts
• Disrupted sleeping patterns
• New legal and financial problems
• Being preoccupied with drugs and alcohol (talking or thinking about substances more than usual)

If you notice significant changes in your loved one’s behavior such as frequent mood swings, bouts of anger, or increased symptoms of mental health conditions, it may be time to host an intervention.

Increased Tolerance

Have you noticed that your loved one’s substance abuse has become more frequent or intense? This is probably due to an increase in tolerance, which indicates dependency and addiction.

When your loved one continually increases the number of drugs they use, they are at serious risk of experiencing an overdose. Drug overdoses tend to be life-threatening, often leading to comas or death.

If your loved one is displaying signs of increased tolerance, professional intervention might be necessary.

Changes in Appearance

Has your loved one lost a significant amount of weight? Is their hygiene beginning to decline? If you begin to notice significant changes in appearance and personal hygiene, your loved one may be suffering from a severe substance use disorder.

Individuals who are addicted to drugs may neglect their hygiene, lose weight due to a loss of appetite, and even begin to deal with compulsive behaviors like picking at their skin. If you notice changes in your loved one’s appearance, it is probably time to stage an intervention.

Denial and Rationalization

If you have discussed your loved one’s substance abuse with them and received a defensive response, they are likely in denial about the severity of their addiction. Oftentimes, individuals suffering from severe substance use disorders begin to rationalize their drug and alcohol use. Despite all of the signs they need rehab, they may continue to refuse help.

If you have heard them say, “I’m just going to have one”, or “I’m only drinking so much because work has been stressful”, they are most likely in denial.

Denial and rationalization can be dangerous, as your loved one is convincing themselves that their substance abuse is not a problem. Because of this, professional intervention may be necessary.

Hosting an Intervention for a Loved One

Hosting an intervention for your loved one can be an extremely difficult and stressful situation. Individuals struggling with addiction often become combative or defensive when they are confronted with their need for professional treatment. As a result, it is always best to consult with a professional interventionist.

Professional interventionists are trained in crisis de-escalation, allowing them to facilitate difficult conversations about your loved one’s addiction without making them feel attacked. Additionally, intervention experts have the resources to find a professional treatment center for your loved one to attend directly after the intervention is completed.

Other reasons to hire a professional interventionist include:

• Help with planning the intervention
• Assistance with formulating beneficial statements to read during the intervention
• Interventionists are educated on addiction, allowing them to help your family understand your loved one’s behaviors
• Higher rates of success and treatment attendance
• Help finding an appropriate treatment placement for your loved one

Get Connected With a Professional Interventionist Today

If your loved one is currently struggling with addiction, you may be wondering how to stage an intervention. Thankfully, professional interventionists are available to help you create an effective plan of action to get your loved one the help they need.

With extensive knowledge on the disease of addiction, crisis de-escalation training, and connections to reputable addiction treatment facilities, a professional interventionist could convince your loved one to seek the help they need.

Contact Rehab Recovery Centers today to get connected with a professional interventionist or to find a rehab center for your loved one.