Is It Time For An Intervention?

When you suspect that a loved one is addicted to drugs or alcohol, it can be hard to know when it’s time to step in. Many families that feel the need for an intervention have tried other, less direct methods of offering the person help, including talking about addiction, asking them if they need assistance, and letting them know how their drug and alcohol use is negatively affecting the family.

Signs that an intervention may be the best next step for your family include:

The person suffering from substance use disorder is refusing to admit that they have a problem. Denial is one of the hallmarks of deep-rooted addiction. While some people who are living with addiction can readily admit that they’re dependent on a substance, many keep the mentality that they can quit at any time. This can stop your loved one from getting the treatment they need.

You’re concerned for the safety of your loved one. Drug and/or alcohol addiction can lead to risky behaviors. If your loved one is living on the streets, participating in illegal activities to get money for drugs or alcohol, sharing needles, or simply walking around in an altered state of mind, you’re right to be concerned for their well-being.

You’ve caught your loved one in lies that have negatively affected both you and others. When drug and alcohol addiction takes over a person’s brain, it’s difficult — and sometimes impossible — for them to think clearly. This can result in countless lies to get money or other support that allow them to continue using. It’s important to remember that a person who is suffering from addiction is living with a mental disorder that can make them do and say things wildly out of character. While lies and deceit can be devastating to you and your family, they do not mean that your loved one no longer cares for you, or that they’re beyond hope.

The emotional, financial, and/or physical health of you and/or your family are beginning to suffer. Loving someone who has an addiction is difficult and can take a toll on all aspects of your health. If you’re starting to feel like you simply can’t continue to live with the responsibility of your loved one’s well-being, it’s time to work with a professional to set up an intervention.