Colorado Interventions
How would you define an intervention? You may have seen depictions of an intervention on television or film where friends or family members of an addict get the person into a room and share their feelings about that person’s substance abuse issue. There is always a bottom line that is something like, “Get help for your problem or we’ll impose some type of sanctions because we love you and don’t want you to keep hurting yourself and others.”
An intervention in Colorado usually involves having family and friends gathering to share their concern about a loved one’s addiction. It’s not supposed to be a forum where the family uses guilt or anger to convince an addicted loved one to get help. Ideally, it is a time where the family and friends provide support for the person who has an issue with substance abuse.
Look for Signs that an Addict Needs Help
Before making plans to hold a Colorado intervention, look for indications that your addicted loved one needs help with their addiction. Some examples of these could be as follows:
• They deny they have an issue with substance abuse.
• They lash out at the people who try to talk to them about their addiction.
• They refuse to get help for their addiction, even after experiencing negative consequences, such as losing their job or getting into trouble with the law.
Before the Intervention
The intervention should involve a small group of family members and close friends who are well known to the addict. The group often meets before the day selected for the intervention to write letters to the addict and discuss what they will share with the person on the day of the intervention.
The professional Colorado interventionist will be part of the preparations for the intervention. They can provide information to the family and friends about the disease of addiction. A Colorado interventionist is an important source of support for the family and friends on the day of the intervention, too.
On the Day of the Intervention
When the intervention is held, the interventionist helps to keep the emphasis on the family and friends offering love and support for the addict. Each person reads their letter and acknowledges that they have experienced consequences of the addict’s behavior. Family members and friends should emphasize how much the addict means to them and that they want to see the person get help.
The interventionist will ask whether the addict wants to continue living as they have been or if they want to make a change for the better. If the addict decides to change and get help, ideally a spot in a treatment facility has already been arranged and the addict can leave immediately to get the help they need to get clean and sober.
