Utilizing an Intervention Facilitator to Begin the Recovery Process

Many people consider holding interventions. However, many believe that they should follow the pop culture version. That is why contacting an intervention facilitator is essential and can create the right atmosphere for your situation.

The Purpose of an Intervention

When an individual is in the throes of addiction, their loved ones often feel the need to step in. People who cannot come to terms with the facts about their situation often hold interventions to put things into perspective.

Why Hold an Intervention?

Interventions are in place to create a sense of urgency for the individual dealing with addiction. These sessions are often a last-ditch effort by friends and family to force the individual to realize the impact their behavior is having on those around them. 

How Does It Work?

People are often invited to the intervention based on their connection to the individual. This could be friends, family, or even coworkers. Each person has a chance to speak directly to the individual and explain things from their own perspective.  

The individual is not always privy to the fact that an intervention is taking place. They may be brought or invited under false pretenses as they would not otherwise attend. It can, and sometimes should, be a shock to them that so many people have come together to both confront and support them.

The Ultimate Goal

When people hold an intervention, they are attempting two things: get the individual to understand the gravity of their behavior and for them to agree to immediately enter a treatment program. If neither of these is achieved, the individual will often leave in anger or frustration. It is important to all involved that this does not happen.

What Is an Intervention Facilitator?

Intervention facilitators offer necessary pieces to the intervention process. They are in place to assist loved ones in crafting the intervention in a way that will be most productive. Some groups see this role as superfluous to the process, intent on doing it themselves. However, an intervention facilitator brings a level of experience to the process that families may not know they need.

These experts temper expectations, work with loved ones to craft their statements, and encourage those who may not have spoken to make their voices heard. They are also in place to keep interventions on track and assist loved ones in securing the next steps so that when the intervention goes as planned, loved ones are not left at loose ends. This will include making a checklist of plans, including finding a treatment center and having any travel plans in place.

What Can Go Wrong in an Intervention?

The need for an intervention facilitator comes from the myriad issues that arise when loved ones take interventions into their own hands.

Family Disagreements

For some people, the entire idea of an intervention differs from those around them. People may want to take a direct, pointed, and accusatory approach. Others may want to attempt a soothing and caring approach. When these groups disagree and fail to come to an agreement, the person who struggles is the individual with the addiction problems. That is why loved ones must be able to come together under one directed approach that works for everyone. 

Irrational Responses

The entire purpose of an intervention is to intervene on behalf of a person who does not realize the impact of their actions. Due to this fact, their reactions often include shock, disagreement, and anger. If families are unprepared or become combative themselves, the entire intervention will collapse around itself.

Unclear Goals

When loved ones do not have specific goals in mind, they will find that their intervention ends up aimless. This will be not only confusing but dangerous as it may lead to the individual walking out and returning to their behaviors. It may also mean that the individual now distrusts those that would have otherwise been resources.

All three of these issues underscore the reasons for bringing an intervention facilitator into the process. They will clear up disagreements before they reach the intervention, prepare people for all possible reactions, and help them establish clear goals. All of these will happen prior to the day, along with any other loose ends that may exist.

How Does an Intervention Facilitator Create a Healthy Intervention?

Intervention facilitators create a safe environment for all parties. This means that they have prepared, sometimes months in advance, for a specific date and time. By the time the day comes, they are well-versed in family history and the needs of everyone involved. They know what may happen when the individual is confronted with the story of the impact they are having and how best to guide families at the moment.

West Coast Recovery Centers encourages families and friends to utilize all of the tools in their arsenal to help their loved ones. We understand the difficulty of attempting to help a loved one to treatment. However, it is important that people find the treatment they need. Once an intervention facilitator has done their job, West Coast Recovery Centers is prepared to help individuals continue down this new and positively impactful road.

West Coast Recovery Centers believes that families need to use the best means to assist them in helping their loved ones into treatment. While many families will attempt what they believe to be a typical intervention, they made need assistance. That is where an intervention facilitator can help. These professionals will meet with family and friends prior to an intervention in order to establish goals, assist with statements, and prepare the family for what comes next. The goal is to create a safe and accepting environment where a loved one will feel the care and authority of their family rather than be attacked or accused. To learn more about intervention facilitators and West Coast Recovery Centers, call (760) 492-6509.