About Addiction Interventions and Rehab

A good drug rehab is the gold standard in drug and alcohol addiction treatment, but it's not always easy to get an addict to consider rehab. Denial is a common symptom of addiction, with many addicts hiding the disease from loved ones or lying to themselves about the ways in which the addiction undermines their quality of life and judgment. For this reason, many addicts are only willing to consider rehab after an intervention.

What Is an Intervention and How do I Know if My Loved One Needs it?

An intervention harnesses the power of peer pressure for good. During an intervention, an addict's closest loved ones - usually just immediate family and closest friends - gather to plead with the addict to seek help. Interventions are typically surprises, with family members planning for them for weeks in advance. The addict then walks into a meeting to see the people she loves most gathered together. This in itself is a powerful experience that can make the addict more willing to listen than usual.

Thereafter, an intervention goes through two distinct phases. First, each member of the family shares the ways in which the addict's addiction has been harmful. These are usually heartfelt and emotional statements.

For instance, a daughter might share that her mother's addiction meant mom couldn't help her get ready for prom, and highlight the fact that she can never get that night back. In most cases, interventions start with the person the group believes will be least effective - often a more distant relative - and ends with the most convincing person - usually a spouse or child, but sometimes an older relative, sick parent, or other compelling figure.

Next, each member of the group asks the addict to seek help. If the addict agrees, he or she will often go straight to a facility the family has picked out. If the addict does not consent, each family member may change his relationship with the addict. Usually the participants share these changes during their original statement. For instance, "I hope you'll be willing to accept treatment, but if not, I can no longer pay your rent or take your phone calls." This "carrot and stick" approach can be highly effective, but is safest and most useful when done under the guidance of a skilled and licensed interventionist.

What Is Drug Rehab Really Like?

Rehab offers round-the-clock care in a safe and drug-free environment. For many addicts, the simple act of getting away from home is sufficient to make recovery much easier. In addition to a change in environment and plenty of support from peers who have been there, rehabs also offer the following services:

• Regular counseling sessions with a therapist who specializes in addiction.
• Medical care to help you navigate the detox process, treat any underlying health problems, and select healthy living strategies to maximize your chances of long-term sobriety.
• Group support, often in the form of 12-step programs or group therapy. Simply being around other addicts who have struggled with issues similar to your own, though, is often a significant impetus for change.
• Enrichment activities, such as yoga, art therapy, or group outings.

The goal of drug rehab is not just to help yo get clean, but to help you permanently remedy the underlying challenges that spurred you to abuse drugs or alcohol in the first place. The process can take anywhere from several weeks to many months, but most rehab stays average about 45 days.

Do I Have to Have an Addiction Intervention to Go to a Good Drug Rehab?

Though rehabs and intervention often go hand-in-hand, you don't have to go through an intervention before going to rehab. Indeed, most recovering addicts simply go straight to rehab. The benefit of an intervention is that it can clarify your motivations for getting clean and sober by reminding you of how your addiction affects others. Research suggests that rehab only works when addicts are ready and willing to go on their own, not when they're forced. So an intervention is simply a way to persuade an addict to seek treatment. If you're already ready to pursue help, then by all means, don't be afraid to check into rehab today!

Is an Addiction Intervention Right for My Loved One? What About Drug Rehab?

Rehab isn't dangerous, so if you're considering rehab, you're probably leaning toward the right choice. Some addicts are able to get sober with 12-step programs or therapy alone, but many addicts need more to move past the scourge of addiction. Rehab might be your best option for getting sober if:

• You've tried other options and haven't been able to kick the habit.
• You've relapsed before.
• You have a mental illness.
• You are addicted to multiple drugs, have a behavioral addiction, or regularly mix drugs and alcohol.
• Your family and friends are unwilling to support you in your recovery.
• You have a chaotic or abusive home life, or your daily stress interferes with your ability to fully dedicate yourself to sobriety.
• You're surrounded by peer pressure.
• You're plagued by thoughts of suicide or harming yourself.
• You feel hopeless.
• You need help getting your life on track.

The decision to seek addiction treatmetn can be daunting, but the right drug rehab can be the first step toward a fulfilling and rewarding new life. And if someone you know and love is refusing to seek treatment, an intervention could be a last-ditch effort to save his or her life, so please don't give up until you've given it a try.