About Drug and Alcohol Interventions
A drug intervention is specially planned meeting that presents a person with a structured opportunity to make positive changes before their situation worsens. Interventions have the ability to motivate people who struggle to seek help on their own.
While many interventions for addictions are successful in helping a person realise they need to make changes and seek treatment for an addiction, some are not. If you are on this page, you might be planning an intervention and are trying to get as much information as possible – which includes wanting to know what happens if an intervention doesn’t work. On the other hand, you might have tried an intervention with a person who is addicted to drugs or alcohol, and it was unsuccessful. In any case, as a leading Thailand treatment centre, we, at Siam Rehab, have helped many families, spouses, parents, and even children stage an intervention for someone they know. The following is our opinion regarding interventions and why they do not always work.
An Intervention Might Not Work
As the loved one of a person who needs help, it is important to understand that it is possible for an intervention to be unsuccessful. They don’t always work, and sometimes they actually backfire. Some potential scenarios that could occur, include:
Your loved one refuses treatment. It is possible for your loved one to refuse to admit they have any problems, or become very upset that you offered your help. This could potentially lead to a worsened situation.
You could be manipulated. During an intervention for an addiction, your loved one might appear as if they are listening. They might even say they understand what you’re saying and agree to getting treatment for an addiction in Thailand or elsewhere. Soon after this, they might tell you they never actually meant this. A situation like this could be upsetting for you and lead to feelings of hopelessness.
Your loved one could resent you. Many interventions will involve some kind of consequences. For example, if the person does not get help, you will no longer pay their car insurance. Sometimes, hearing these consequences can greatly upset the individual and lead them to resent you. For this reason, it is important that you put a lot of thought into whether or not you will include consequences, what they might be, and how you will explain them. An addiction treatment centre in Thailand, can help you to understand how to go about this in the right way.
Attendees of the intervention could cause problems. When you decide to stage an alcohol or drug intervention, with the intention of helping a person goes to rehab, it is prudent to carefully choose who you want to be involved. Prior to the intervention, make sure you know what will be said. You should also discuss anything you don’t want discussed. If you are concerned about anyone potentially be unable to adhere to the ground rules you set, or who is known for being argumentative, it may be a good idea to exclude them from the intervention.
Anyone who is planning an intervention for an addiction naturally wants to have some level of success. While it is so important to remain positive about the outcome of the intervention, it is equally important to keep in mind that it might not work. An unsuccessful intervention could be due to the reasons above or an entirely different reason. Because of the possibilities, it will be a good idea to create two separate plans: one for a successful intervention and one for an intervention that does not work.
How You Can Respond to an Unsuccessful Intervention for Addiction
If the drug intervention was not successful, you shouldn’t immediately give up. Just because things didn’t work out doesn’t mean it’s a hopeless situation or that it was a waste of time. Just as someone in recovery might relapse, you must keep believing in the person and try to help them realise they do need help.
In the event of your loved one not being receptive, or open, to the intervention or the idea of getting treatment in Thailand, consider these tips:
- Remind your loved one that you are available for them and ready to help in any way possible.
- Prior to the intervention, a set of potential consequences might be discussed, and in the event it does not work, they are to be implemented. As a treatment centre in Thailand, or elsewhere, might recommend, if you’re not going to follow through with these consequences, they should not be discussed at all.
- Make sure your loved one understands any consequences, as well as, what could happen in the event they choose not to get help.
Turning to A Professional For Help
If you are concerned about staging an intervention as a family member of a loved one with an addiction, or you’ve already done so and failed, you might consider turning to a professional interventionist. These people are addiction professionals, and may include a psychiatrist, psychologist, counsellor, or interventionist. Some work privately and others are a part of a rehab.
A professional interventionist can provide you with advice on tips on planning an intervention or enforcing consequences. They can also plan an intervention which is guided by them. Often, these are more effective because they involve a neutral third party.
Don’t Give Up
While everyone wants an intervention to be successful, the reality is that this is not always possible. Addiction is a chronic condition. For some, acknowledging they need help is very challenging, and takes many years to realise.
One failed attempt at a drug intervention doesn’t mean it is the end. You can still be there for your loved one. The first intervention might let your loved one know that you won’t enable them any longer. On the other hand, it might remind them they have ongoing support if they ever do want to get treatment at a rehab in Thailand.
If you would like to know more about planning an intervention, or your loved one is ready to get the help they need, call our Thailand rehab centre now.
