Do interventions work?

There are intervention programs on television led by substance abuse professionals indicating addicts enter treatment because of the concern expressed by family members. In addition, professional intervention services are offered on the Internet with the promise to get loved ones addicted to alcohol or drugs into treatment. This is encouraging, but do interventions work? That depends on the reason for the intervention, when, where and how it is conducted.

There are too few interventions conducted. Many family members are too embarrassed to acknowledge their loved one has an alcohol or drug addiction problem. Some will do everything they can to keep loved ones from being charged with a DUI or drug possession. They do not realize the absence of charges often enable addicts to continue their alcohol and drug abuse behavior. The proper approach would be to insist their loved ones take responsibility and suffer the consequences of their behavior.

When I suggested to a caller he should allow his loved one to remain in jail instead of bailing her out immediately, he responded, “I can’t stand for my baby to be in jail.”

The key to recovery involves addressing alcohol abuse and drug use early. When adolescents drink alcohol, they should be confronted and consequences should follow. Far too many parents have the mistaken belief that alcohol is harmless. Some say they would rather their adolescent drink at home instead of driving while intoxicated. Still others have bought into the false idea that marijuana is harmless. The truth is alcohol and marijuana damage the brain when used before age 21.

When adult family members drink too much, they should be confronted. How they are confronted is important. Their problem should be addressed with tact - not harsh words of condemnation. There should be genuine expressions of concern regarding what they are doing to themselves. This applies to drug abuse as well.

Most of the interventions on television are scripted and involve individuals with serious, often life threatening addictions. This is too late for many because most families do not have the resources to provide long- term treatment, which is absolutely necessary to address severe addiction problems.

I know from personal experience that interventions work. Two people living in another state had serious addiction problems. One was addicted to methamphetamine and the other to alcohol. The family of the 19- year- old, with the help of the court, allowed me to place him in an inpatient treatment center for two years. Today he is drug free leading a productive life and has been for more than a decade.

The other individual, a middle aged man, was forced by his wife and family to enter long- term treatment. When I discussed placing him in an inpatient treatment center, he told me he didn’t want to go, but had no choice since his wife would divorce him if he didn’t go. He went and has remained alcohol free since treatment. Neither of these individuals would have entered longterm treatment voluntarily. Both had to be forced and did not believe treatment was necessary. Why? Because they were incapable of making rational decisions concerning the need for treatment. Even though both resented being forced into treatment, they are grateful their families cared enough to insist they get the treatment they needed to change their lives. John L Bledsoe, PhD, DMin, Certified Co- Occurring Disorders Professional