Addiction Intervention
Lost Opportunity: Could Putting off an Intervention Be a Deadly Decision?
Sometimes we wish that disturbing situations would just go away. We convince ourselves that if we don’t think too much about it or act like it doesn’t exist, that somehow things will magically change and take the burden away from us to do anything.
But when we’re talking about addiction of one of our family members or loved ones, or even one of our close friends, we may be losing more than just an opportunity. Our failure to act may be one of the worst decisions we’ve ever made.
When Addiction Strikes the Corner Office: Intervention on a Boss
A co-worker’s struggle with addiction can make the office a stressful place to be. When the person in charge of keeping the company healthy is the one with a drug or alcohol addiction, going to work can be downright miserable. Covering for a boss who fails to return phone calls or emails, or whose mood swings make for a volatile work environment not only diminishes the employee’s ability to do their job but also enables the higher-up to continue their problem behavior.
Addiction Interventions by Professionals for Professionals
Staging an effective addiction intervention is an art form. While some people respond well to confrontation, others need a softer, gentler approach. Because different strategies motivate different people to enter drug treatment, special consideration should be given to the individual’s background when planning an intervention.
Minimal Intervention Could Reduce Teen Marijuana Use
Many teens use marijuana regularly and believe that it is a harmless drug with few addictive properties. Recently, however, research has been increasingly showing an association between marijuana and psychosis, and some research shows a connection between marijuana use and other risky behaviors.
A new study published in the journal Psychology of Addictive Behaviors shows that even a short, minimal intervention could significantly reduce a teen’s use of the drug. Because most high school students report that they have access to marijuana, and nearly a third report smoking it, the technique may be a powerful tool in reducing marijuana use in the United States.
Denise Walker, co-director of the University of Washington’s Innovative Programs Research Group, and colleagues examined the impact of motivational conversations with teenagers to help them reduce marijuana use. While many teens use marijuana without experiencing problems, explains Walker, there are others who use it regularly and are looking for a way to stop.
Walker and co-authors conducted two sessions of Teen Marijuana Check-Up at schools, in which they described myths and facts about marijuana, along with common reasons why teens use marijuana and the risks associated with the behavior.
As part of the presentation, Walker told the students about the study, and students could volunteer privately to become a participant. Walker says that many teens have concerns about marijuana use, even if they are not discussing these concerns with family or peers. The opportunity offered by the study gave the teens a convenient way to think through the pros and cons of drug use in a way that did not shame them for their use.
The presentation was originally given to approximately 7,100 students, of which 619 volunteered for the study and 310 met the criteria for participation. The participants, all high school students in Seattle public schools, attended two one-on-one sessions with health educators.
The students were given one of two types of approaches. One approach was motivational interviewing, which provided the student a session with a health educator. The discussion centered on the student’s marijuana use and how it might be affecting the student’s life. The health educator also shared with the student about social norms of how much others use marijuana.
The second approach featured a PowerPoint presentation which described current marijuana research, and the health and psychological effects of marijuana use.
The students who were given motivational interviewing decreased marijuana use by 20 percent, from using marijuana 40 out of the previous 60 days to using it only 32 out of 60 days. Those who observed the PowerPoint presentation had slower progress, reporting an 8 percent decrease in marijuana use.
The results of the study support the benefit of even short, minimal education and intervention plans to help reduce marijuana use among teens.
When Is the Best Time to Do an Intervention?
The question about timing for an intervention is a common one. Should you wait until the addict has been arrested for a DUI or is sick in the hospital from an overdose? Should you wait until the addict finishes college/loses their job/finalizes their divorce/gets that raise…etc etc…
Could an Intervention Save Your Family from Financial Ruin?
By Millie Anne Cavanaugh, Esq.
Given that use of alcohol or drugs can impair the parts of the brain responsible for rational thought, it is no surprise that some people suffering from alcoholism or drug addiction cannot recognize when the time has come to seek treatment. As such, it is typically up to family and friends to identify the need for drug or alcohol rehab and take the steps necessary to make it happen. However, since alcoholics or drug addicts are still legally permitted to make health care decisions for themselves, a patient’s unwillingness to engage in the treatment process can quickly thwart even the most well intentioned loved ones. Full Story
Study of Gambling Behavior Could Help Researchers Understand How People Make Choices
A specific area of the brain may be responsible for a gambler’s activities and decisions, and could help researchers understand why people make decisions in other areas of their lives. Full Story
Five Reasons Not to Try an Addiction Intervention without a Professional
Many people watch shows such as A&Es Intervention and think, “I could do that.” They may not realize just how little of the process they are seeing. TV lends itself to 1-hour stories that are easily wrapped up, with a neatly structured beginning, middle, and end. However, real life does not work that way. An intervention is a highly charged experience that can turn into a disaster if you do not have a qualified specialist to help guide you and steer you clear of landmines and cliffs.
Common Approaches to Drug and Alcohol Intervention
When we think of the word “intervention,” we typically picture a group of friends and family confronting a drug addict or alcoholic in a familiar setting. This type of intervention is known by those in the recovery industry as the “living room ambush,” or the Johnson method. Named for Vernon E. Johnson, an Episcopal priest and author of “I’ll Quit Tomorrow,” it is intended to save the addict from hitting rock bottom by having family and friends try to break through the person’s denial with the help of a professional interventionist.
New Guidelines Issued for Identifying Alcohol Abuse
When an individual comes in to the hospital or to their doctor’s office, it is a prime opportunity for health care providers to assess multiple areas of physical and mental health. It may be possible to determine whether the patient may need attention for ailments other than the ones being currently treated.
Need Help Finding an Intervention Specialist?
We can refer you to an experienced interventionist who can help you help your loved one.
The Addiction Primer: Everything You Need to Know to Get Help for a Loved One
A very inexpensive yet indispensable guide for anyone struggling with a loved one's addiction. Chapters on intervention, what to expect from rehab, and information on how addiction impacts the family.
