A Mother’s Advice on Intervention

Mother giving advice to her daughter

My Best Advice on Interventions and Why They Are Good

  • An intervention is best done “early,” before the condition worsens. Don’t let your loved one suffer.
  • Interventions improve the health and social function of an addict and help your struggling loved one get into addiction recovery and rehabilitation.
  • When a loved one is denial, an intervention should be done in order to drive home the message that you are concerned about your loved one’s well-being and you are no longer willing to participate in their cycle of self-destruction.
  • When an intervention is done in a safe, loving environment, the feelings of frustration, anger, betrayal or even guilt can open new pathways of communication.
  • Don’t feel reluctant to stage an intervention because of television shows or what someone has said. You should not be afraid of overstepping your bounds. If the warning signs are there, it is important to seek out an intervention. Your loved one’s life may be at stake.

When an Intervention May Be Necessary

  • An intervention may be necessary in order to provide the addict with an opportunity to receive help before their “situation” becomes even more dangerous.
  • I learned first hand that an addict is “in denial” about their problem. They are too close to their “issue” to see the effect on themselves and everyone around them. They believe they have control over their addiction. An interven­tion can help your loved one have a moment of clarity and seek help.
  • An intervention is a tool to help an addict who doesn’t believe they have a problem see the damage their drug use is inflicting on everyone in their lives and helps to lead them to treatment.

—From a happy mom with a sober son.

For a free guide to intervention click here.

Testimonials from Those Who Had an Intervention:

“One weekend while visiting my parents, they found me passed out and thought I was dead. That weekend they set up an intervention. I was completely unwilling. The intervention was insane. Twenty minutes prior to the intervention, I had done meth and when I walked into it, I went crazy.

“I was screaming and crying and refusing to get in the car. I was finding every reason in the book to justify why I didn’t need help. I was slinging my artwork, swinging at my dad and throwing a complete fit. The interventionists even left a couple of times.

“Finally, after even more upset, I gave in.

“I remember that moment. I sat on a trash bag I had filled with my clothes during my tantrum and I remember feel­ing worn down, emotionally drained and tired of fighting. I looked up and told them I would get in the car and go.

“That was the best decision I have ever made. I saved my life that day.” —ND


“Before I went to treatment, I had been hit by a car and wound up in the hospital. Yet, I was still in denial and refusing to go to treatment.

’When I woke up, I called my parents and told them what had happened. My mom and dad came to the hospital and told me I needed to go to treatment. I told them I would be fine and didn’t need treatment even though I had just gotten into an accident and had broken my arm.

“My mom brought me clothes and told me she was going to sign me out. Fifteen minutes later, two interventionists from a treatment center came up with my mom. I was an asshole to them and told them to leave. I said I was fine and was sorry they wasted their time. It wasn’t until my family put me in my place that I realized I needed help. They told me they no longer wanted to be in communication with me, my uncle said he was firing me and I was no longer welcome at my parent’s house. Then they left.

“Gradually, everything began to sink in. I was devastated, and it forced me to look at what my life had become and to stop pretending everything was fine. Luckily for me, the two interventionists from earlier were still there to talk to me. They helped me realize there was another option and it wasn’t too late to turn my life around. I finally decided to go to treatment and get the help I needed. I am now sober, I have my family back in my life and I appreciate what they did to help save me.” —LG

AUTHOR

Aaron

Aaron has been writing drug education articles and documenting the success of the Narconon program for over two years.

NARCONON NEW LIFE RETREAT

DRUG EDUCATION AND REHABILITATION