We recently talked about the intervention process in the addiction group that I lead. I was intrigued by the emotion surrounding this subject. I learned a valuable lesson as we were discussing the intervention process. Sometimes pain, hurt, and sadness are great motivators. Let me explain.
The intervention process has been made highly visible because of the A&E Television show “Intervention”. While I am thankful that they show the pain, hurt, and sadness, I think televising it is wrong at some point. The addiction process is a very hard cycle to break and often it requires the intervention of friends and family to help us ‘wake up’ to the chaos we are causing in our lives.
In group last night, we discussed personal experiences with interventions. It was obvious that they left a very deep impact on several people. The things that they remember most were:
1. How much people cared.
2. How much their actions affected others.
3. How embarrassing it was to have others point out your flaws.
4. The consequences that came with the intervention.
A good intervention will include the following:
1. Make sure the person is sober before any intervention is started.
2. People who care about you and have an impact in your life. Your Spouse, Minister, Boss, Family, and Friends.
3. Someone who is trained in dealing with the emotional impact of an intervention (counselor, or minister), and a lot of prayer.
4. Personal testimony from each involved person on how you have affected them with your addiction.
5. A simple plan of action. This should include treatment, support groups, church, structure, and support.
6. A list of consequences if the action plan is not followed. (You will lose your job, you can not live here anymore, we will commit you to a treatment facility, or we will cut off all communication and help in any way.)
7. Follow up and support. This is CRUCIAL to the intervention working! If there is no follow up there is no accountability.
Interventions are a powerful way of getting someone’s attention. Don’t use them lightly, and make sure that you can follow through with your part of the intervention process. Interventions can cause intense pain, hurt, and sadness. It is not very often that the people that you care about the most confront you. The pain, hurt, and sadness are critical in understanding the seriousness of the situation and motivating you to change. It is through our pain, hurt and sadness that we experience happiness, and joy. It is not easy to handle these emotions, but it will be well worth the effort.
One statement stuck out the most in group. “If you care about someone, you will do whatever it takes to help them.” I think this needs to be the motivation for any intervention.
May God greatly bless you in your recovery or your support of those in recovery.
Make sure you visit www.counselingworksheets.com. This is a great resource for those in recovery, or those looking to help someone in recovery.
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