Counselor talking to a young woman about an early intervention programIf you allow addiction to run its course, it will only end in pain and suffering. Therefore, if you have a family member or friend who is struggling with addiction, you need to get them help now. This is true for any addiction, whether it’s drugs or alcohol. One of the ways to help your loved ones is with an early intervention program.

The term early intervention program means attempting to reach an individual struggling with addiction early on before the addiction gets too far.

In this guide, we will outline how you can help a friend or loved one who has been abusing drugs or alcohol. We will explain what an early intervention program is and how it can be used to assist someone close to you.

How Do You Know When an Early Intervention Program Is Right?

The truth is, it is never too early for an intervention. Essentially, an intervention is simply you sitting down with your loved one and explaining your concern.

Whenever you notice that an individual close to you is showing signs of drug abuse or addiction, it’s time to intervene. We understand that this can be difficult. It is not easy to approach someone you care about and respect and show your concern. You probably feel as if you are telling them that you disapprove of their life.

In a way, this is true. But there are ways to approach the situation without making the individual feel angry, sad, or despairing. You don’t have to come out and say, “I disapprove of your choices. You are terrible. Why are you doing this!?” Instead, be calm, and organize your thoughts beforehand. The goal of any intervention is to show hope and caring. The goal is not to yell, chastise, or be rude.

Knowing when to intervene can be one of the most challenging aspects of early intervention. Again, it’s never too early to speak if you’re noticing signs and symptoms of addiction.

Below are some of the signs and symptoms of drug and alcohol abuse. Be aware that these won’t apply to all individuals that struggle with addiction. These are just a rough guideline for you.

  • Secrecy
  • A change in behavior that you haven’t seen before
  • New friends
  • Not being interested in old hobbies
  • Having trouble in school or the law
  • Financial problems
  • Odd sleeping habits or drastic changes in moods
  • Weight loss
  • A disheveled appearance or not caring about appearance

If you notice any of these signs or symptoms, it may be time to start an early intervention program.

How Should an Early Intervention Program Be Carried Out?

There are different ways to carry out an early intervention situation. Many people find that they want to do an intervention one-on-one. Other people will invite other friends and loved ones to share their concern as well, usually directed by an addiction specialist.

Gauge the reaction of the individual regarding early intervention. You certainly don’t want to scare and overwhelm them. But this is serious. You need to take it seriously and use at least a little bit of a heavy hand. This will help to get the point across that something serious is going on, and you want to help them.

Moving Your Loved One Toward Getting Help

The end goal of any intervention situation is to get your loved one professional help. Professional detox and rehab are the only solutions to a drug and alcohol problem. The best route is to express your concern and then suggest a rehab center.

Beaches Recovery in Jacksonville, Florida is one of the best drug and alcohol rehab centers in the country. At Beaches Recovery, we offer:

Contact Beaches Recovery Today for More Information

Are you considering having an intervention with a loved one? Beaches Recovery can help. Contact us today for more information about how we can help with our programs and services.

Approaching a loved one about a drug or alcohol addiction and early intervention program is difficult. But it’s the right thing to do. Call Beaches Recovery today at 866.605.0532 to get started.