I need an substance abuse interventionist right away!
I was in Dallas Texas this week when I received a call regarding an intervention on a substance abuser living in Beverly Hills, California. The family friend who I will call (CC) was in a real hurry to see the intervention take place right away. I get calls like this all the time so I decided to discuss this in my blog post this week.
Frequently I receive calls from family members or loved ones of a drug addict or alcoholic who are sure that we need to do an intervention immediately. As if the chemically dependent person has not been this way for several years. Don’t get me wrong I understand that in some circumstances people just don’t know what is going on with others but this does not mean that the destructive behavior not been going on for a while. I see this especially when the chemically dependent persons life has started to fall apart or spiral out of control. Trust me, this kind of stuff does not start happening the first time someone decides to get high. I also understand the circumstances surrounding licensed professional who might be putting themselves and/or others in harm’s way. I am talking about the average person who has been addicted to a substance for the last several years. Many people want to rush in and do an intervention right away and I just don’t recommend this. One of the keys to well planned Intervention is the element of structure as well as surprise.
In most cases it is important to find the right interventionist to help you and your team navigate the circumstances surrounding your issue. Then develop a well planned approach to finding a resolution and solution. Please don’t make the mistake of rushing in and blowing it. Remember that the interventionist is not the one who is going to be executing the intervention. It will be you and your team who have the greatest impact on the victim so make sure you practice and get it right.
Obviously you are the ultimate judge as to the health and welfare of the substance abuser and if he or she is in danger you might need to take action sooner. But if you really want to execute and effective intervention I invite you to use your judgment and your reason regarding how fast you need to move.
For more information please visit my website: www.interventionsystems.net
