Intervention Services

Crisis Interventions

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Crisis Interventions

If you or a loved one are currently living with or have lived with addiction, you know how difficult it can be to keep your life in order. Substance use disorder can complicate all aspects of daily living. This is especially true for people who have a mental health diagnosis in addition to a diagnosis of substance use disorder.

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Intervention Services

How Crisis Interventions Work

Many people who live with an addiction to drugs or alcohol seem to move from one stressful situation to another. As a caring friend or family member, it can be hard to know when outside help is needed. This is especially true if your loved one is in denial of their addiction or their additional mental health issues.

Here, we’ll learn more about crisis intervention, and how to know if your loved one is in need of help from an intervention specialist.

What Are Crisis Interventions?

Clinically, crisis intervention is the creation of a change that provides immediate support and care for a person who is under extreme physical, psychological, or emotional stress.

People who do not live with substance use disorder may experience crises such as death, job loss, illness, mental health issues, end of a relationship, or severe financial hardships. Without substance abuse issues, many people are able to lean on their established healthcare providers and support systems and get through a crisis without outside help.

For people who live with substance use disorder, crises can become more complicated. A person who suffers from addiction may find themselves in crisis situations more often than someone who is not managing addiction.

Dealing with a crisis in the midst of addiction can be especially challenging. Withdrawal symptoms, homelessness, legal issues, financial difficulties, relationship problems, and other issues can make an already challenging crisis even more difficult.

In the field of addiction care, crisis intervention works to stabilize those who are in an active crisis before transitioning them to a longer-term plan.

Knowing If Your Loved One Is In Crisis

When someone you love is living with addiction, it can be hard to determine when they’re experiencing a crisis. Many people who suffer from addiction find themselves trapped in a cycle of lies, and may make up stories in order to manipulate those around them with the end goal of continuing to use their substance of choice.

Signs of crisis in a person who is struggling with addiction may include:

• Intentional or accidental overdose.
• Threatening suicide, or exhibiting behaviors associated with suicide (giving away belongings, saying things like “it’ll be easier for you when I’m gone,” sudden ease or lightness even though nothing about the person’s life has changed, saying goodbyes to loved ones).
• Untreated health issues that may or may not be related to addiction.
• Extreme psychological and emotional distress.
• Engaging in unsafe or reckless behavior, such as putting themselves in harm’s way, driving while impaired, or threatening others.

When someone you love is in crisis, it can be scary to imagine what might happen if they don’t get the help they need. Depending on the situation, you may be able to work with law enforcement to have your loved one placed under an involuntary psychiatric hold, allowing a few days for them to be supervised by and receive treatment from medical professionals.

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Crisis Intervention: What To Expect For Your Loved One

Your loved one’s treatment team and/or professional interventionist will determine what crisis intervention techniques make the most sense for their situation.

Modes of crisis intervention treatment will differ for each client. For most clients, the first step of crisis intervention is to perform psychological first aid (assuming there is no immediate need for physical medical care).

Your loved one’s crisis interventionist will talk with your loved one to understand the crisis, allowing them to get a grasp on your loved one’s situation. Crisis interventionists are trained to serve as a non-judgemental sounding board when the time is right. A judgment-free listening ear can go a long way in times of crisis.

Your loved one’s interventionist will also ask questions that will allow them to assess your loved one’s state of mind. From there, they’ll be able to develop a plan that will help your loved one through their crisis, hopefully enabling them to move forward to non-crisis counseling.

Levels Of Crisis Intervention

There are three traditional crisis intervention models: the equilibrium model, the cognitive model, and the psychosocial transition model. Each model of treatment is appropriate for a different stage of the crisis process.

The equilibrium model is used at the beginning of crisis treatment. The goal of this stage is to stabilize the client, without offering advice or finding ways to stop the crisis from happening again. This stage offers judgment-free, open, calm understanding, allowing your loved one to express their feelings and struggles.
In the cognitive model stage of treatment, practitioners operate under the assumption that the crisis is the result of distorted thinking related to an event. Often, people in crisis become so emotionally charged that it can be hard to see a way out of a difficult situation. During this stage of treatment, the individual has been stabilized and is more likely to be capable of a back-and-forth conversation that can have a productive outcome.
Finally, the psychosocial transition model concludes the crisis intervention process and ends by setting the client up with transitional services that can help them understand the root of their crisis. In this stage, clients may be able to develop strategies to limit future crises.

What Does a Crisis Intervention Specialist Do?

Crisis intervention specialists are trained to handle high-stress situations, working with individuals and families during some of the most difficult moments in their lives. Our specialists have experience working with individuals in mental health facilities, addressing mental health concerns, and helping clients with underlying conditions. They are responsible for assessing each person’s behavior, documenting their progress, and making decisions that are in the person of concern’s best interest.

Even though crisis intervention focuses on how to stage an intervention, much of the process mirrors psychotherapy. The key difference is that crisis intervention focuses on addressing the immediate needs of individuals. Our intervention specialists assess the situation, offer emotional support, and provide a clear path forward, helping families understand the next steps in their loved one’s recovery journey.

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Is Your Loved One In Crisis? What To Do Next

If you think that your loved one may be in crisis, it’s important that you don’t want to get help. At Family Interventions, we’re here to help. Reach out to us today for a free consultation with a trained interventionist. We believe in your loved one’s ability to get well — contact us today to learn more.

FAQS About Intervention Services

What is a formal intervention?

A formal intervention is a carefully planned process where family members, friends, and an intervention team work together to confront a person struggling with a mental health disorder, alcohol use disorder, or substance abuse. The goal is to encourage the individual to seek professional treatment.

What is the role of family members in an intervention?

Family members play a crucial role in an intervention by providing emotional support, sharing their concerns, and helping the person struggling to see the need for treatment. Their involvement is essential for a successful intervention.

Who makes up an intervention team?

An intervention team typically includes therapists, counselors, addiction specialists, and sometimes healthcare professionals. They guide the intervention process and provide expertise to ensure it is conducted effectively.

What types of issues can interventions address?

Interventions can address a range of issues, including mental health disorders, alcohol use disorders, substance abuse, serious mental illness, drug addiction, and alcohol addiction.

Why is a carefully planned process important for an intervention?

A carefully planned process ensures the intervention is supportive, structured, and effective. It helps anticipate potential reactions and prepares the intervention team to handle any challenges that arise.

What is the recovery process like after an intervention?

The recovery process involves several stages, including detoxification, therapy, and ongoing support. It often includes participation in treatment programs and support groups to maintain sobriety and mental health.

Can interventions be effective for serious mental illness?

Yes, interventions can be effective for serious mental illness by encouraging individuals to seek appropriate mental health treatment, which is crucial for managing their condition.

What constitutes a successful intervention?

A successful intervention is one where the individual agrees to seek treatment and begins the recovery process. Success is often measured by the individual’s commitment to treatment and subsequent improvements in their condition.

How do interventions address co-occurring disorders like mental health and substance abuse?

Interventions for co-occurring disorders involve a comprehensive approach that addresses both issues simultaneously. Treatment programs often integrate mental health and substance abuse care to provide holistic support.

What should family members expect during the intervention process?

Family members should expect to be actively involved in planning, executing, and supporting the individual throughout the intervention and treatment process. Their role is crucial for providing emotional support and ensuring the individual’s commitment to recovery.

Can interventions help with both drug and alcohol addiction?

Yes, interventions can help individuals struggling with both drug and alcohol addiction by encouraging them to seek treatment and start the recovery process. Treatment centers often offer programs that address multiple types of substance abuse.

How does mental health play a role in interventions?

Mental health is a critical aspect of interventions. Addressing mental health disorders is essential for the overall well-being of the individual and can significantly improve the chances of a successful intervention and recovery.

How do crisis intervention specialists work with families?

A crisis intervention specialist works closely with families to plan and execute interventions in a compassionate and supportive manner. Their goal is to help the family communicate their concerns, while also guiding the individual toward accepting the need for help. They focus on nonviolent crisis intervention techniques to ensure the process remains calm and constructive.

What is nonviolent crisis intervention?

Nonviolent crisis intervention involves strategies to de-escalate potentially volatile situations in a safe and respectful way. Intervention specialists trained in these techniques prioritize the safety and emotional well-being of both the individual and their family, ensuring the intervention is conducted in a peaceful and effective manner.

What is crisis counseling?

Crisis counseling focuses on providing immediate emotional support during a critical situation. In the context of interventions, crisis intervention specialists use crisis counseling to help individuals and families navigate the emotional challenges they face during the intervention process and in the initial stages of recovery.

Can crisis intervention specialists help with behavioral health issues?

Yes, crisis intervention specialists are trained to handle a wide range of behavioral health concerns, including substance abuse problems and co-occurring mental health disorders. They work in various settings, including mental health facilities, to provide comprehensive support to individuals in crisis.

Do crisis intervention specialists work with crisis call centers?

While crisis intervention specialists often focus on in-person interventions, some also collaborate with crisis call centers to provide immediate guidance and support during emergencies. These specialists may help families and individuals in crisis get the resources and help they need, even if an in-person intervention is not possible.