When a loved one has an addiction, knowing how to help them can be difficult. An intervention can be a powerful tool to encourage them to seek treatment, but it’s important to remember that recovery doesn’t end there. Once your loved one has completed treatment, they will need ongoing support to maintain sobriety.
What is an Intervention?
An intervention is a planned and structured meeting between a person struggling with addiction and their loved ones to encourage the individual to seek help for their addiction. Interventions typically involve a group of people who care about the individual, such as family members, friends, and sometimes a professional interventionist. During the intervention, the group shares how the individual’s addiction has affected their lives and relationships and encourages them to seek treatment or other professional help.
What is the Purpose of an Intervention?
An intervention aims to help the person struggling with addiction understand their problem’s severity and provide them with a supportive and caring environment where they can seek the help they need. Interventions are often a last resort for families and loved ones who cannot persuade the individual to seek help on their own. They can be a powerful tool in getting someone the support they need to overcome addiction.
How to Support a Loved One After a Successful Intervention
After a successful intervention, many ways exist to help support a loved one. Some of the most beneficial ways are celebrating their success, being a good listener, encouraging them to continue treatment, helping them stay accountable, and positively influencing their lives.
Celebrate the Success
First and foremost, it’s important to celebrate your loved one’s success. Recovery is hard work, and your loved one deserves recognition. Consider throwing a party, giving them a special gift, or simply taking them out to dinner to celebrate. However, it’s essential to keep the celebration safe and sober. Avoid serving alcohol, and ensure your loved one isn’t tempted to relapse.
Be a Good Listener
Your loved one will likely have a lot of feelings to process after completing treatment. Being a good listener is important, offering empathy and support as they share their thoughts and emotions. Practice active listening, avoiding interrupting or dismissing their feelings. Simply being there to listen can make a huge difference.
Encourage Them to Continue with Treatment
Recovery is ongoing; your loved one will need ongoing treatment and support to maintain sobriety. Please encourage them to continue with treatment, whether attending therapy sessions, participating in support groups, or taking other steps to maintain their recovery. Offer to help them find resources and support them as they continue their journey.
Help Them Stay Accountable
Accountability is an integral part of maintaining recovery. Help your loved one stay accountable by checking in with them regularly and encouraging them to find an accountability partner. Establish clear boundaries, and ensure you’re also practicing self-care.
Be a Positive Influence
Positivity can be a powerful force in recovery. Offer your loved one a positive alternative to their former habits, and avoid triggering situations. Make an effort to surround your loved one with positivity and support, and remember to take care of your mental health.
How to Get Help Planning an Intervention
Contacting New York Addiction Resources can be a great start if you need help planning a successful intervention or learning how to support your loved one after an intervention. They can refer you to knowledgeable, prepared treatment admissions counselors to help with whatever you need.
Remember, supporting a loved one after a successful intervention is ongoing. Use these tips and strategies to offer your loved one the support and encouragement they need to maintain sobriety. With your help, your loved one can achieve lasting recovery and a brighter future.
