Substance abuse intervention strategies: Top 10

What strategies work during a substance abuse intervention? We review here.

5
minute read

The basics of substance abuse intervention

Substance abuse interventions are complex processes that are designed to make a drug addict or an alcoholic realize that they need help for their addiction. Wondering what you can expect from an alcohol or drug intervention? Typically, a group of the addict’s loved ones will gather together and confront him or her about the substance abuse. Substance abuse interventions are often last-ditch efforts to get a person into substance abuse treatment, and they must be carefully planned and executed in order to be successful.

A different kind of intervention: CRAFT

While confrontational interventions can be helpful, another approach called CRAFT (the Community Reinforcement Approach and Family Training model) can also help. Family members who use the CRAFT model learn about safety, functional analysis, contingency management, communication, and life enrichment skills. It is a longer term process that teaches family members how to use “insider” information about an addicts behaviors in a motivational way. The method has been seen to increase the chance of an addict or alcoholic entering treatment.

Stages of substance abuse interventions

Still, an intervention is not a simple one-time event. It is a complex process comprised of a few very important steps and stages. The basic stages of substance abuse interventions are listed below.

Planning. The planning stage is one of the most important stages of substance abuse interventions. During this stage, loved ones should meet with an intervention specialist, decide who should participate in the intervention, and decide what should be said.

Execution. Executing a successful substance abuse intervention takes patience and finesse. During the actual intervention, a substance abuser must be convinced to sit and listen to what each member of the group has to say. They must then make a decision to either go into a substance abuse treatment program or lose the enabling support of their loved ones.

Follow up. The time following an intervention is often one of the most overlooked stages of a substance abuse intervention. If a substance abuser refuses to seek treatment, the loved ones must follow through with their consequences. This usually involves stopping their enabling behavior, such as covering for the addict when he or she is under the influence or recovering from their drug of choice, ending financing, or housing arrangements. Some people go even further and stop all communication with an active addict.

Substance abuse intervention strategies

As we’ve already established, planning and executing a substance abuse intervention properly takes skill. The following substance abuse intervention strategies should help you stage a successful intervention.

1. Consult an intervention specialist

Anyone staging an intervention is encouraged to meet with a qualified and experienced intervention specialist. This is a professional who can give you a great deal of insight into interventions, help you plan the intervention, and keep the intervention focused and calm.

2. Plan, plan, plan!

And then plan some more. Before your intervention, it’s imperative that you plan every detail and plan for every possibility and reaction. You should know who will participate in the intervention and what they will say, as well as where and when it will held.

3. Choose caring loved ones to participate

Never choose a person that condones or contributes to your loved one’s alcohol or drug use. Each member of the group should be someone that both respects and cares for the addict, and only wants the best for him or her.

4. Establish consequences

When an addict is faced with an ultimatum or consequences for not entering treatment, he or she will have more of an incentive to enter treatment. What will you do if they refuse treatment? This can be anything from removing emotional or financial support to banning them from family events until they stop their destructive behavior.

5. Don’t speak with anger or judgment

Always reiterate the fact that you care for and respect the addict during an intervention. Never act judgmental or lash out in anger. This will only serve to exacerbate the situation and possibly cause the addict to become angry, obstinate, and defensive.

6. Stop enabling behaviors

Whether you realize it or not, your behaviors and actions could be enabling your loved one, causing them to continue to abuse drugs or alcohol. This could include giving them money when they need it, making excuses for them, or covering for them when they are under the influence. A substance abuse interventionist can help you identify these actions and behavior and help you put a stop to them.

7. Follow through

Whatever consequences that you decide upon, always follow through with them. If you vow to stop calling your loved ones boss and making excuses, then stop, even if it means your loved one may lose his or her job. This may be the hardest part of an intervention, but think of it as tough love. If your loved one is always being bailed out of jams, he or she will never learn that their substance abuse is detrimental.

8. Prearrange treatment

Make it as easy as possible for your loved one to go into a substance abuse treatment program. The easier it is, the more likely they will be to follow through with treatment. This can include making arrangements with an addiction counselor, reserving a spot in a rehab facility, and even making childcare arrangements for the time they will spend in treatment.

9. Seek help for yourself

Whether your loved one agrees to treatment or not, you may want to consider getting help for yourself. Attending counseling sessions or support group meetings can help you better understand the addiction and better prepare you for dealing with an addict.

10. Be there for your loved one

Dealing with an addiction is a difficult time for everyone, including yourself and your loved one. If your loved is ready for treatment and needs someone to talk to, give them that support. Make it clear that you care for their well being and will be there to support them through the recovery process.

Substance abuse intervention strategy questions

It’s important to learn everything you can about interventions before you stage one. An intervention specialist can be an invaluable resource during this time, and you can learn a great deal from reading books and online articles. However, if you still have substance abuse intervention strategy questions, you can also leave a comment below. We look forward to addressing each one of your questions and concerns, and wish the best for you and your family during this difficult time.

Reference Sources: MAYO Clinic: Intervention: Help a loved one overcome addiction
AIS: What is an Interventionist?
AISCB: Code of Ethics
AIS: What an Interventionist is not?
Drug Abuse Archives: Drug Abuse Prevention Through Family-Based Interventions: Future Research 
CRAFT: An alternative to confrontation
CRAFT overview
About the author
Lee Weber is a published author, medical writer, and woman in long-term recovery from addiction. Her latest book, The Definitive Guide to Addiction Interventions is set to reach university bookstores in early 2019.
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