Washington Interventions

It’s not uncommon for people who are drug addicts to experience denial about how serious the problem is and how much it affects the people around them. They may feel that they are in control of the situation and that they can stop using their drug of choice “any time they feel like it.” If the person is an addict, this is simply not true. For them to stop using, they will need a Washington drug intervention to make a positive change in their life.

What is a Washington Drug Intervention?

An intervention is an action undertaken to improve a situation. Through this process, family members and friends attempt to change a loved one’s thoughts and feelings. The ultimate goal is to get that person to make positive changes to their behavior. Holding an intervention may be necessary in a situation where a person is living with an untreated addiction and the family is looking for a way to get them help.

Consequences of Not Holding an Intervention

If the family either decides to wait to hold the intervention or chooses not to take this step, the addiction will only become worse. Someone with an addiction isn’t likely to voluntarily stop using on their own. They need professional treatment to help them get clean.

It’s possible that life can intervene to encourage an addict to stop using without an intervention. These circumstances, either alone or in combination, contribute to a person reaching their personal “rock bottom,” and may include:

• Overdosing on drugs
• Having a health crisis (heart attack or stroke)
• Losing a job
• Experiencing financial difficulties
• Having an important relationship (marriage, romantic relationship or with children) break down
• Getting arrested

These circumstances may help an addict decide to get help. There is no way to tell when, or if, they will occur. Holding a Washington intervention is a way to “bring the bottom up” and get an addicted loved one the help they need right away.