Interventions

The Denial Phase

It’s common for addicts to go through an initial phase of denial. Over time an addict can build up the belief system that they have control and don’t have a problem with addiction and an “I can stop at any time” type attitude.

The denial phase can become a very stressful period for the addict’s immediate loved ones’ such as family members, partners, friends and colleagues. It’s easy for close relatives to see when an addict is displaying irrational behavior such as mental, emotional and social dysfunction all of which often comes with legal implications as the behavior becomes harder to control.

It is at this point that the family support group should seek out professional intervention to confront the addict and make him/her understand that they have lost control and crossed all the red lights and must now seek professional help to stop the substance abuse.

This is usually the point where our intervention team at Les Mariannes is called upon for help.

The Intervention Process

An intervention is a life-changing event. A time when a person realizes just how much they are manoeuvring in dangerous territory with regards to their health, family, work and social standing. And crucially, that control over the habit has been lost.

A typical intervention process begins with meeting the relatives to better understand and evaluate the addict’s behavior. This meeting usually consists of several people including the addict themselves.

During the intervention, the individual is confronted with the consequences of their addiction and the risks of not accepting treatment. Once the initial barrier is overcome, we then propose a variety of treatments so that the person becomes clean and stays clean.

Love and support are important during the intervention process and the interventionist must not act as though they are a policeman- this will only result in resistance from the addict and hopes for admission and further treatment will be greatly compromised.

A successful intervention process is one that aims to overcome any resistance and denial often demonstrated by an addict. This is a time where any emotional bonds within a group can be utilized as a catalyst to push the addict forward and not just become ‘unaddicted’ but to also rebuild any broken relationships and reconnect with the people whom they have likely neglected (or even abused) as a result of the addiction.