Interventions for Loved Ones Struggling with Trauma and Addiction
Addiction is a common challenge for individuals dealing with the physical and psychological stress caused by trauma. Soldiers, police, first-responders and victims of violent crime frequently demonstrate symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) including the following:
- Flashbacks
- Anxiety disorders
- Nightmares and sleeplessness
- Emotional disorders
- Temper management problems and corresponding verbal or physical abuse
- Substance abuse and addiction
- Suicidal thoughts or actions
Interventions for Soldiers and Veterans
Military personnel, veterans and families of soldiers must deal with the aftermath of traumatic events such as combat exposure, multiple long deployments and physical injury. Death and tragedy are unfortunately common experiences for military personnel, and the consequences of military experience can be anything but rewarding for some soldiers and veterans. The sights they have seen, places they have traveled and loneliness they have felt can lead to physical and psychological damage. Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and traumatic brain injury (TBI) are common psychological disorders that are found in active members of the military and in veterans. Flashbacks including reoccurring images and sounds can haunt a person and lead to sleepless nights, hallucinations, delirium, paranoia, anxiety or depression. Soldiers and vets may turn to drugs or alcohol to relieve the pain, escape from reality or cope with tragedy trauma and loss.
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How to Avoid Anger during an Intervention
Addiction can create a lot of friction and pain between addicts and their loved ones. When asked to confront an addict through an intervention, family and friends may not know where to begin. What should they say, how should they say it? The situation can be extremely emotional, and intervention participants may feel the need to express these emotions when speaking to the addict. One of these emotions may certainly be anger, and this is a completely natural reaction to have. When people are hurt or taken advantage of, they may want to respond aggressively in order to defend themselves. However, anger is not something that should be used when addressing an addict in an intervention.
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How to Safely Stage an Intervention
An intervention is your opportunity to help an addicted loved one come to terms with the knowledge that his or her drug or alcohol use is out of control. Without proper planning an intervention can become unpredictable or even dangerous.
Hiring an Intervention Professional to Ensure Safety
Before staging an intervention consult with professional interventionists who will be able to advise you on the process. The following are the benefits of hiring an interventionist:
- You will receive access to intervention resources
- You will receive information and guidance about the best types of interventions
- You will receive wisdom and experience from someone who has been through several interventions
- You will understand what your role in the intervention is and will be able to express to your friend or family member how much you care about him or her
- You will understand what reactions to expect from your addicted loved one
How an Interventionist Can Help Your Family
Staging an intervention is a great opportunity for your addicted family member to face her addiction and see how it impacts her family. Planning a family intervention without calling on professionals can be a bad idea, especially if you have never attended or staged an intervention. When you hire an interventionist you get access to a wealth of knowledge, intervention help, and incredible resources that simply cannot be learned by reading a book or article online.
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When Is the Right Time for an Intervention?
When someone you care about—a family member, friend, coworker or partner—is in the middle of an active addiction, how do you know when to stage an intervention? What is the best time to plan an intervention, and how can you make sure your intervention is successful?
Hundreds and thousands of people are affected by addiction every day. You don’t have to do this alone. Learn more about the intervention process and let us help you plan a successful and targeted intervention for the person you care about.
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How to Have an Intervention for Alcoholism
Addiction to alcohol is the most common reason that people enter treatment facilities for substance abuse. Addiction to both alcohol and an illicit substance doubles the number of patients who seek inpatient detox and rehabilitation. But, according to the National Institute of Health, there are over 17 million alcoholics or people who have a problem with alcohol in the US, and only 10 percent of those people seek treatment.
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How Do I Know My Loved One Needs an Intervention?
According to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA), over 17 million Americans classify as alcoholics. Alcoholism is a disease and needs to be treated as such. The problem is that many alcoholics are not interested in changing their behavior. Even those who want to change are frequently unable to do so, or unable to maintain abstinence because the disease never really goes away. Intervention is one of the most effective ways of helping an addict get the help he needs.
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What to Say During an Intervention
Staging an intervention is an act of love and care. Many people who are planning interventions are close family members or friends of an addict, though it is becoming increasingly common for employers to stage workplace interventions if they become aware that an employee has a substance abuse problem. No matter the circumstances, the intent must come from a place of concern and genuine support.
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How to Have an Intervention for Drug Addiction
Are you concerned that someone in your life is suffering from a drug addiction? It is devastating to feel powerless as someone you love loses interest in the things that you once shared, jeopardizes his job or schoolwork, abandons or lets down family and friends, and risks his health every day.
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