You might be the only one who knows about that family member who is struggling with addiction. This is a hard place to start because it means that not only must you find a way to give support without driving them away, but you will likely have to convince other family members that the issue is real and dangerous and should seek out help from a New Jersey Outpatient Rehab Program.
Or maybe everybody knows. There comes a point in addiction when it’s impossible to hide, whether or not the rest of the family is willing to admit the severity of the situation. In this case, it is much easier to enlist allies and have a plan.
In either case, an intervention is critical enough to your loved one’s future that it should be done with professional guidance. In a best-case scenario, a professional should be in the room. This is a time when you can best show your love by over-preparing.
Finding a “Way In” to Face Addiction in Family Members
Someone who is struggling with real substance dependence may not want to immediately enter substance abuse treatment is not in the right mental state to see the care and love behind anger, accusations, or condescending treatment advice. In the beginning, you should just be there with them and show support. When you are ready to approach them about the battle they are fighting, here are some things to remember:
- Stay empathetic – The first job is to take an inventory of your own emotions and think about how you want to present yourself. It’s very likely that you have suffered because of their dependence through the anxiety and exhaustion of constant fear, or possibly worse. You must find a way to admit these negative feelings and refrain from letting them color your interaction. People who struggle with addiction need to feel supported, loved, and believed. Don’t get angry or start blaming them.
- Do some homework before you start giving advice – It is very likely that your loved one has been told they need treatment before, so you can’t go in blind and ignorant. Show them you cared enough to consult professional sources and research about exactly what is happening to them. Go to group therapy meetings (with an invite), watch the process in action, call treatment centers, and find out the nuts and bolts of detox and recovery.
- Plan a well-structured intervention – You should approach this event as if you and your family members were first responders to an accident because you are. Get advice from professionals in the field, rehearse the steps of the conversation, and carefully choose who will be on your team. You aren’t building a mob of accusers. You are crafting a group of caring people who are most likely to stay calm and effective.
Effective Interventions for Family Members Never Devolve into Accusations and Anger
This is one reason it is recommended to have a professional on your intervention team. They can play a calming role, like an impartial arbiter in a debate. When family members on your team begin to lose control or get emotional, the professional can step in to model more effective dialog. The overall message from your team should be:
- Clear, concise, gentle but firm on the point that they need some kind of treatment
- Open to different options for your loved one
- That you are with them all the way
Addiction Treatment from Next Wind Recovery
Next Wind Recovery can give you and your family all the professional support you need. Our outpatient programs for alcohol and opioids are carefully personalized for each client to address their unique struggle. Our teams of doctors and therapists will also make sure that your care is unwavering and comprehensive. At our center in New Jersey, we can offer:
We will be with you every step of the way. From detox and help withdrawal symptoms to intensive individual therapy, we address the whole person. We believe that well-researched treatments and therapies don’t work unless caring, dedicated professionals carry them out.
Learn How Next Wind Recovery Can Help You Support Your Family
Don’t wait. Call us today at 201.331.6569 and use our professional team to build your intervention and support plans. If you are beginning research on how recovery in an outpatient program works, learn more from our team.
