Interventions
Include Many Different Approaches to
Success
Talking to alcoholics and addicts objectively
is useless more often than not. Sometimes the substance abuser
reacts angrily and storms off or will agree with the fact that
his or her behavior is dangerous, only to continue doing it
time and time again. Often people are powerless to stop
themselves because that requires overcoming denial, eradicating
the underlying problems they face, identifying inner
characteristics that enable success and having the courage to
find new coping skills. Interventions provide the much-needed
helping hand for the alcoholic or drug user, offering a tool
box of options to help the person move on from self-destructive
behavior. A professional interventionist will personally invest
him or herself in the substance abuser's life, providing
counseling, resources and medical intervention if
necessary.
To begin planning an intervention, family
members and friends will assemble a persuasive team of people
who are committed to seeing the troubled individual succeed.
The group should consist of people who are capable of
communicating in a non-accusatory, sensitive, honest and loving
manner, who won't explode angrily or thwart the group's overall
objective. The group members must be willing to voice their
concerns, look the addict in the eye and say "You have a
problem." Commonly, interventions require each member of the
group to read a paragraph expressing their feelings, so the
team members must be prepared to do this. If the individual
refuses abuse treatment, then the team members must be prepared
to issue a decree stating the consequences and all people
involved must remain firm. Sometimes this means refusing money,
shelter or other enabling behaviors. Change is often prompted
by the inability to make any other choice. Many abusers, when
confronted with the gravity of the situation will turn around,
although most teary interventions are successful because the
individual finally realizes the pain he or she has caused
family and friends, or feels overwhelmed by the amount of
support that has come together on his or her behalf.
Interventions include many different approaches
to success, from individual therapy to group counseling and
skill assessments to job placements. Resources may include
helping a recovering addict or alcoholic attend college
classes, find housing in assisted living and learn new coping
skills. The aim of any long-term intervention strategies should
be not only uncovering the negative consequences of addiction
and overcoming denial, but also revealing hidden talents and
presenting a positive mental framework. Deep down, the
individuals in need of the intervention often suffers
tremendous pain of some sort and the alcohol or substance abuse
is just a vain attempt to mitigate that pain. The astute
interventionist has the professional knowledge to help the
individual move beyond the past and into the future, fully
equipped and confident.
The good news is that you do not have to plan
interventions on your own. There are many community resources
that are just a phone call away. A professional interventionist
will discuss intervention programs and treatment options with
you, help devise a successful intervention plan and arrange a
meeting with the substance abuser. Sure, there is always the
risk that the afflicted person will refuse the intervention,
but the alternatives are far worse. Could you live with
yourself knowing that you did not do all that you could do?
Power Medical Interventions, Inc. Appoints Joe Camaratta as Senior ... MSNBC - 19 hours ago Mr. Camaratta added, "Power Medical Interventions is enabling surgeons to improve patient outcomes through new and modified procedures that support the ... Schistosoma Japonicum Reduced After Intervention Significant ... - Modern Med... Voice of America Schistosoma Japonicum Reduced After Intervention Significant ... Modern Medicine, NJ - Jan 7, 2009 7 (HealthDay News) -- Reducing the rate of Schistosoma japonicum transmission is possible with the use of a comprehensive strategy of interventions, ... Toward the Elimination of Schistosomiasis New England Journal of Medicine (subscription) China experts score success against snail fever Reuters all 7 news articles HIV Prevention Study Featured in AIDS Journal - UK News
HIV Prevention Study Featured in AIDS Journal UK News, KY - 20 hours ago "The field of HIV prevention has had much success developing interventions that work in increasing safer sexual behaviors among a variety of at-risk and ... US Health Department identifies further 18 effective HIV ... Aidsmap all 2 news articles