What is an Intervention?

Helping a friend or loved one with an addiction problem can be extremely challenging depending on the circumstances and the severity of their addiction. The person suffering from addiction may not feel like they have a problem, don’t have a desire to quit, or believe that they are capable of getting help without treatment or an intervention. An intervention can begin the conversation to the road toward recovery for an addiction problem. Sometimes a more focused approach is necessary for the person to realize and understand that they have a problem and that an intervention and treatment is going to help them get better and develop healthy life choices. We like to think of interventions as a process, not an event. In fact, interventions are a dynamic process that include structure and a skilled professional to be effective in supporting the family and the person who suffers from addiction to get unstuck and move into recovery. For the Intervention professional to be effective, it requires training, experience, understanding, and the ability to hold the space for a family during what can be a very stressful and emotional time for everyone involved.

• Addictions that may require intervention:

• Alcoholism

• Prescription drug abuse

• Compulsive eating

• Street drug abuse

• Compulsive gambling

Benefits of an Intervention

Having a professional interventionist will be helpful in treating a friend, family or loved one in the treatment process by allowing them to feel supported in their recovery journey. It has been proven that having an interventionist present, can provide many benefits such as:

Help the abuser realize that they have a problem and that there are answers.

People surround them are supporting them through their treatment.

Family, support systems and other people in the person’s life can be involved.

Experienced interventionist is important in the success of the intervention. An inexperienced interventionist may scare the person and cause more problems than good.

Addiction and Substance Abuse

Drug addiction or substance use disorder refers to a person who has an ability to stop using drugs or alcohol that is caused by behaviors and changes in the brain. Drugs are classified as substances such as alcohol, marijuana, and nicotine. When you are addicted to a drug, you may continue using it despite the negative consequences that are associated with its’ use.

“Drug addiction can start with experimental use of a recreational drug in social situations, and, for some people, the drug use becomes more frequent. For others, particularly with opioids, drug addiction begins with exposure to prescribed medications, or receiving medications from a friend or relative who has been prescribed the medication.”

Symptoms of Addiction

The urge to use the drug regularly

Having withdrawal symptoms when you attempt to stop taking the drug

Failing in your attempts to stop using the drug

Spending a good deal of time getting the drug, using the drug or recovering from the effects of the drug

Doing things to get the drug that you normally wouldn't do, such as stealing

Continuing to use the drug, even though you know it's causing problems in your life or causing you physical or psychological harm

Not meeting obligations and work responsibilities, or cutting back on social or recreational activities because of drug use

Spending money on the drug, even though you can't afford it

Making certain that you maintain a supply of the drug

Driving or doing other risky activities when you're under the influence of the drug

Having intense urges for the drug that block out any other thoughts

Over time, needing more of the drug to get the same effect

Taking larger amounts of the drug over a longer period of time than you intended

Types of Interventions

• Comprehensive Interventions - include all aspects of the intervention process. Our trained and certified professional interventionists will educate, lead and facilitate the intervention process allowing the family to feel supported the entire way.

• Coached intervention - is where our team supports a family that wants to do an intervention but without an interventionist present and at a cost savings. The coached intervention process would be appropriate for a family that is motivated and has some experience or understanding of family systems.

• Intervention Consulting - Our intervention team can be hired by a family or individual on an hourly or limited basis to provide strategy, assessment, and guidance prior to an intervention or at any point where there’s a need for a professional to be involved.

• COVID-19 Response : Entelechy is committed to providing our families and individuals with the safest, most responsive care in supporting people with addiction. Our team is available with resources to help you and your family during this pandemic.

First Steps During Intervention

The traditional belief to working with addicts was that you can’t help someone unless they want help. While we do believe in the gift of desperation, the above statement would imply we have absolutely no influence to help the suffering addict. Our goal at Entelechy is to meet people where they are at in their recovery and develop an individualized plan for each person so that their needs can be met. We understand that everyone is in a different place, a different state of mind and has a different goal in mind in their recovery.

Treatment Assessment and Placement

Through our interviews we will gather the information necessary for our team to do an assessment and provide treatment recommendations. Below is some of the data critical to obtain as part of this assessment:

• Personal history

• Consequences of use - legal, etc.

• Previous treatment, 12-Step, etc.

• Acuity of use

• Progression of addiction

• Friends that support recovery

• Trauma

• Life stressors

• Health issues

Individualized Interventions

Entelechy addresses the individual and family on a case by case basis. We know how important it is to consider each person's life experiences and circumstances that have brought them to where they are now. We tailor the intervention to the individual and develop treatment plans that will best suit the situation and allow the person to be the most successful in their recovery. All of our interventions are completed by a Certified Interventionist. Whether the intervention is for an executive, adolescent or teen, single parent or LGBTQ, we strive to provide the best service possible for all of our clients and allow them to feel comfortable through the whole process.