Step 1 Understanding the Signs of Addiction

Most will say that the first step to solving a problem is accepting that a problem “exists”.  However, there’s actually a step before this one and that’s having the ability to identify the signs of addiction.  Knowing the symptoms of either drug or alcohol abuse will ultimately enable you to help your friends or loved one to seek treatment (since you’ll know if addiction is taking place).

When it comes to the signs and symptoms of addiction; there are many.  For example, noticing drastic behavioral changes in someone or seeing irrational or reckless behavior are common signs among substance abusers.  If the signs of abuse aren’t learned, such behaviors could go unnoticed.

Abuse of alcohol or drugs can directly impact not only the abuser but those surrounding the addict and can lead to employment issues, relationships struggles, and academic decline.  If such signs are being shown, it’s time to step back to view the situation as a whole so an intervention route can be planned.

For a majority of friends, families, and/or spouses, the point in which they choose to intervene is when the suspected abuser begins to engage in risk and dangerous behaviors that put themselves others around them at risk.  One of the most common signs of substance abuse is driving under the influence.

If such signs are present, explain to the abuser that such behaviors are life-threatening and that recovery and treatment for substance abuse is available to them.

Step 2 Determine if your Friend or Loved One is Receptive to the Idea of Recovery

Once you’ve learned the signs of substance use disorder and have made the decision to proceed with an intervention, the next step is to find out if the individual is open to the idea of being admitted to Rehab South Florida.  Should they understand what’s occurring and chooses to accept the proposal of entering in to treatment, the next steps can be taken by speaking to a Rehab South Florida admissions specialist at 561-933-5522.

In the event that your suggestion of seeking treatment is rejected, or, if the individual becomes hostile or violent, not all hope is lost.  Through the aid of a hired professional interventionist, the addict will receive the help they need to embrace recovery.  Assistance with relocation from the home setting to the treatment facility is available at many times.  For inquiries related to a professional intervention, please contact our facility at 561-933-5522.

Step 3 Learn what Recovery Options are Available

Recovery, for each individual, is unique.  Understanding the treatment options that are available and learning which rehabilitation routes are best suited is important when choosing a recovery route.  Ideally, a rehabilitation center such as Rehab South Florida that’s transparent about their treatments, costs, and programs will be selected for the individual struggling with addiction.

At our facility we’re up-front about all programs and treatments and offer an extensive range of treatment options all of which are overseen by experienced and credentialed recovery professionals.  Our holistic recovery approaches will help to heal the mind, body, and soul of all patients so that recovery can be received (and without the need for narcotics – unless deemed to be necessary).

Through detoxification, leftover toxins in the body from the abused substance(s) will be eliminated helping your loved one to encounter a near symptom-free recovery experience.  This helps to decrease the chances of a relapse occurring.

Rehab South Florida also provides patients with a host of recreational therapies and activities that allow patients to use their time constructively.  From art and music therapy to equine therapy (and much more in between), our cutting-edge facility hosts all of the tools, treatments, and activities needed for your friend or loved one to experience abstinence in a compassionate and therapeutic approach.

Step 4 Consult with a Trained Rehab South Florida Counselor

During the process of determining just how you’re going to accomplish getting the addict in to rehab, it’s in the best interest for both you and the abuser to have the logistics of treatment planned out accordingly.  Planning residency arrangements, transportation, and financial coverage are all things that should be considered and tended to prior to treatment beginning. 

 Step 5 Plan and Execute an Intervention

When it comes to speaking to someone about their addiction things can become uneasy.  Knowing when to be stern or sympathetic can be difficult.  Your attitude and words used when speaking to the addict can tremendously impact the outcome of the intervention.  When the time has come to confront the abuser about seeking treatment, during the intervention, be conscious about how you present the idea of undergoing treatment.

Certainly, the best way to confront someone struggling with addiction is through the technique of an intervention.  When you’re planning on conducting an intervention it’s ideal to have both family and close friends of the victim present so that the abuser senses the feeling of comfort.  In the event that you’re having difficulty with intervention implementation it’s highly advised that you seek the services of a professional interventionist as these are trained recovery specialists with extensive experience that possess the persuasion power needed to get a stubborn addict in to accept recovery.

An intervention affords family and friends of the addict with the opportunity to open the abusers eyes to what’s really occurring in their life.  It’s also an opportunity for those related to the abuser to explain how their addiction and actions are affecting them (which can help the abuser to realize serious the situation is).  An intervention is supposed to be a positive experience that helps to show the abuser that they are cared about and loved (feelings that many addicts no longer feel).

Interventions aren’t about inflicting blame or shame on the victim of addiction.  Such occurrences could cause further damage and will do more harm than good.  The purpose of an intervention is for the abuser to reflect on their personal ambitions, addiction, and behaviors so that they become to care about recovering.

Typically, interventions are quite emotional and as such you should keep this in mind prior to the recovery effort.  Rehab South Florida recommends to those wanting to do an intervention that they write down a list of notes in which to read from so they can be used as a reference to get the point across during the intervention.  This is best way for the addict to receive the point you’re trying to make in a concise, clear-to-understand, and calm manner.

Furthermore, it’s best to have a Florida rehab center already selected prior to the intervention taking place.  Having a rehabilitation pre-selected will streamline the transition to recovery for the individual as immediate entry following the intervention can take place.  The sooner the individuals can enter rehab after treatment the better as right after the intervention takes place when emotions and symptoms of substance abuse are most intense.

Keep in mind too that interventions aren’t used to “force” someone into rehabilitation.  However, with strategic planning, empathy, understanding, and an open and honest discussion – an intervention is certainly the most effective approach to getting an addict the help they need, and, when they need it most.

Step 6 Provide Understanding, Love, Compassion, and Emotional Support

The life of substance abuse affects many more individuals other than the addict.  The abusers friends, family, spouses, and support network can all be impacted when substance abuse is taking place.  When wanting to do an intervention for a loved one it’s crucially important that they “fee” loved, cared for, and supported at “all” times – this is equally important as them wanting to take their recovery seriously.

It’s also of great importance that the recovering addict attends a rehab facility that staffs a caring, experienced, and knowledgeable clinical team (such as Rehab South Florida).  Figuring out how to get a drug addict into rehab can come across as a form of punishment to the abuser when it’s actually quite the contrary.  Consistently provide positive reinforcement, let them know you care, and always provide love and support.  This is the best interventional advice for someone entering rehab.

Once your spouse, family member, or close friend is receiving treatment at our facility it’s important that you continue to show them support, daily.  Your steady support is vital to their recovery and our treatment stays in close communication with family members and spouses to help guide them on support mechanisms.

Whether you have questions about the costs associated with treatments, questions about how to stop enabling an addict, or questions that are more logistical – the Rehab South Florida addiction recovery specialists are available to answer your questions at ALL times (561-933-5522).

Once a patient graduates from our facility it’s important that your support and love is continually provided so that they have the comfort needed to maintain emotional stability.

Step 7 Speak to a Rehab South Florida Recovery Specialist about Aftercare

Attending a rehabilitation program is certainly the best way to begin the process of long-term recovery however, after treatment, patients are subjected to real world triggers that could cause a relapse and without supervision could fall back in to a full-on addiction.  There are many recovery programs available that will help patients to maintain their abstinence and Rehab South Florida extends a post-recovery, relapse prevention program where daily and weekly sessions are available.

Sessions for your loved one will provide them with therapy in both group and one-on-one sessions which will help them to establish a support network with others that share the same desire of wanting to remain sober. 

There are also professional therapists and counselors that can help you to find post-treatment care for your friend or loved one.  Furthermore, many support-based groups are also available, including:

• Alcoholics Anonymous
• Narcotics Anonymous
• Al-Anon and Celebrate Recovery

Seeing a close friend or loved one struggling with addiction is difficult and can be quite an emotional experience.  In some cases, a simple yet direct heart-to-heart conversation can begin the process of recovery for the abuser.  However, unfortunately, whenever it comes to addiction, the abuser may have an extreme difficulty in recognizing that the addiction is present (in denial).  Typically, successful interventions required a more focused and strategized approach.  In cases where addiction is more severe, professional intervention may be needed.

Examples of addictions that may require an intervention include:

• Prescription drug abuse
• Alcoholism
• Compulsive gambling
• Compulsive eating
• Illicit drug use

Intervention Tips – Be Prepared

Your intervention needs to be properly planned and carefully executed.  It should be closely planned with either friends or family member or through a consultation with a medical professional (such as a license drug/alcohol counselor).  Some interventions require the involvement of someone from the abusers faith congregation (pastor, preacher) or people with close ties to the addict.

During the intervention, you and friends and family members of the victim will confront the abuser face-to-face where your feelings will be shared and treatment will be discussed.

During the intervention make sure that you:

• Provide very precise examples of instances where the abuser displayed destructive behaviors. Also speak about how such actions are affecting friends and family.
• Offer an all-inclusive treatment plan that’s already planned out. The treatment plan should have clear goals, steps, guidelines, and milestones.
• Explain to the abuser what each of the individuals at the intervention will do if treatment is denied.

Intervention Timeline – Rehab South Florida

We understand that quite a bit of information was provided here and as such, well, it’s a lot to digest.  The pain experienced inside when seeing someone we care about struggling with addiction can be difficult and Rehab South Florida is here to help; you’re not alone.  To help make it easier to understand the intervention timeline we’ve gone ahead and outlined the process for you below:

Step 1 Create a Plan– Meet with relatives or friends to coordinate a meeting time and location for the intervention to take place.  Should help be needed for this phase, please consult with a addiction recovery professional, a mental health counselor, a psychologist, a social worker, or a professional interventionist.

Step 2 Collect Information– Learn as much as you can about the addiction of the abuser including the type of drug(s) used, the extent in which the substance(s) were used, and how frequently the substance(s) are abused.  This will help you to find a suitable treatment center (Rehab South Florida treats addiction of ALL severities).

Step 3 Establish an Intervention Team– Gather participants to join your effort in helping the abuser to recover.  Together, efforts will be united and individuals will commit to attending the intervention meeting.

Step 4 – Prepare Response for Denial– In the event that the loved one chooses to deny treatment than a response needs to be prepared.  Each member on the “Intervention Team” should have a pre-written response for the addict in the event that he/she says “no”.

Step 5 – Take Notes– Think back in time to scenarios where the loved one hurt him or herself or even a friend or family member (even emotionally speaking).  Consider the times where the loved one engaged in dangerous behaviors.  Facts cannot be argued so write down situations of concern and remind the addict of such situations.

Step 6 – Host the Intervention– Without any given reason (or could you say something such as “come by for lunch”) the one struggling with addiction will arrive to the location with no expectancy of an intervention.  Once the loved one arrives, individual members will begin taking turns expressing their feelings and concerns for the individual and the addiction.  Once each member has spoken the treatment option will then be presented.