09 Mar Calgary Drug and Alcohol Interventions
Most of the calls we receive at Andy Bhatti Interventions and Addiction Services in Calgary are from distraught family members who are not only watching their loved one self-destruct but are also struggling to cope with living with the nightmare of addiction or alcoholism.
Very commonly the person with the problem is either, in denial about the severity of the issue, frightened to deal with the problem, or sometimes simply accepting that this is the way their life is. As a friend or family member, this can be both frustrating and terrifying. The combination of having to live with addiction and all the lies that go with it and living with the fear that someone you love is ultimately going to die is draining and unsustainable.
Most family members we speak to have tried everything from making threats, hiding bottles, restricting finance, trying to understand, shouting, guilt trips and much more and have found that ultimately none of these methods have been successful. They have tried to encourage the person with the addiction to go to rehab in Calgary or seek help but this has never been followed through. If this sounds like your experience and your loved one is refusing to get help or you are doubtful they will go to drug rehab or alcohol rehab then an Intervention may be for you.
Andy Bhatti has been facilitating interventions for 9 years. Our professional addiction treatment team consists of Interventionists, addiction counsellors, clinical psychologists, physicians and psychiatrists. Since it is often a challenge to bring the addict or alcoholic to detox, a treatment facility or rehab, we now bring the Intervention service to your home!
Addiction Interventions Start in Your Home in Calgary, Alberta
An intervention can motivate your loved one to get help for alcohol or drug misuse, gambling or other addictive behaviours. Andy Bhatti Interventions offers intervention services to help you get the help your loved one needs right at your doorstep! An intervention can persuade the person you care about to seek or accept addiction treatment help before things get worse.
Why Hold An Intervention?
Denial is usually a part of addiction. The affected person is not able to see the damages caused by their addiction or alcoholism to themselves or others. They honestly believe they can control their addiction on their own and will try to prove it and fail over and over again. Despite the consequences of their addiction, they are still not able to quit. It is not a matter of willpower, unfortunately.
Sometimes a simple conversation can start the addict on the road to recovery but most likely, the task is far more challenging. A more direct approach is often needed. You may need to take action through a professional intervention in Calgary. The process of intervention involves breaking the self-defence mechanisms of the addict, facing the reality of their addiction and realizing the need to change by getting treatment at a private drug rehab facility in Calgary, Alberta. Interventions and treatment can also be arranged for alcoholism, sex, food, gambling or gaming addiction.
What Is Involved With a Drug or Alcohol Intervention?
A drug and alcohol intervention is a carefully planned process that may be done by family members, employers or friends, in consultation with a professional interventionist in Calgary. It may also involve others who care about the person struggling with addiction, such as a best friend or coworkers.
During the intervention, these people gather together to confront your loved one about the consequences of their addiction and ask them to accept addiction treatment.
The intervention in Calgary Includes:
- Provides specific examples of destructive behaviours, the impact it has had on you and other loved ones, employment, finances, friends, etc.
- Offers a prearranged addiction treatment plan with clear steps, goals and guidelines.
- Spells out what each person will do if your loved one refuses to accept the treatment being offered.
- Establishing healthy boundaries needed to not enable the addict or alcoholic any longer.
How Does a Typical Intervention in Calgary Work?
An intervention usually includes the following steps:
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- We need to make a plan first. We make an intervention plan by consulting with the family in Calgary, Alberta. Our team of interventionists plans the intervention alongside professionals which may include addiction counsellors, psychologists and psychiatrists. The Interventionist will take into account your loved one’s particular circumstances, such as cultural, personality and family history and suggest the best approach for the intervention.
- Gathering intervention information from those involved in the intervention even if they won’t be at the intervention. The more information we have on the addict or alcoholic the better. Our Team of professional addiction specialists and interventionists will gather background information about the affected person’s behaviours, family dynamics and proposes the appropriate detox and residential treatment centres. Previous medical records may also be reviewed.
- Form the intervention team. Identify and introduce the Interventionist and addiction specialist to the family and those that will be in attendance for the intervention.
- Identify the family members and loved ones who will personally participate in the intervention. Together we will set a date, time and location for the intervention in Calgary. During the planning process, it is important to not let the affected person know about the planned intervention ahead of time.
- Along with the Interventionist, the family members set the strategy that is consistent, rehearsed and structured. Family members should keep the discussion focused on the facts of the problem and shared solutions rather than prolonged, strong emotional responses.
- Decide on specific consequences. Each member of the team then decides on what action they will take if the loved one does not accept the treatment in Calgary or elsewhere. For example, the wife may decide to leave or the parents may ask the person to move out. Of course, the consequences will depend on individual cases.
- Make notes on what to say. Facts are the most important element in an intervention. Each team member describes specific incidents and their emotional and financial impact on all those involved. The addict cannot argue on facts or your emotional response. For example: “I was scared when you were drunk and fell down in front of the children”. The family member can make notes and discuss these with the interventionist and other members.
- Hold the intervention. The affected person is asked to come to the intervention site in Calgary, without revealing the reason. All members of the team are present and begin to express their concerns one by one. Your loved one is given an option of treatment in Calgary (or elsewhere) which has already been researched and arranged. He or she is asked to accept the treatment option there and then, without procrastination. Each family member will specify what specific changes he or she will make if your loved one doesn’t accept the help that’s being offered today. It is important that the family members do not threaten a consequence unless they’re ready to follow through with it.
- Once the intervention is successful and your loved one is willing to accept that he or she needs detox and/or treatment they need to leave right away and not be left alone to think about it. The addicted person may be highly manipulative or may change his or her mind soon after.
Who Should be at the Intervention?
An intervention team usually includes four to six people who are important in the life of your addicted loved one. This includes people he or she loves, likes, respects or depends on. This may include, for example, a best friend, adult relatives or an ex-partner/spouse. Our interventionists in Calgary can help you identify the most appropriate members of your team.
If you think it’s important to have someone involved but worry that the individual may jeopardize the intervention (such as an overly affectionate family member who cannot be strong), you can ask that person to write a short letter that someone else can read at the intervention.
What to Expect at the Intervention
Addiction involves intense emotions. The process of organizing an intervention itself can trigger conflict, anger and resentments, even among family members. Some family members may continue to hold on to old ideas that have not worked or may be unwilling to follow through with boundaries or consequences.
Here are few tips on running a successful intervention
- Don’t make an impulsive decision. It can take several days or weeks to plan an intervention. However, keep it flexible, because things can change suddenly.
- Plan the time of the intervention. Make sure you choose a date and time when your loved one is most likely to be sober.
- Do your homework. Research your loved one’s addiction and behaviour well. Also, understand the basics of addiction and the process of treatment – our professional interventionists will help you.
- Appoint a single person as a liaison. Having one person to coordinate and communicate with will help in keeping things on track.
- Sharing honest information. It is important to be on the same page while holding the intervention. Share all the information and strategies, so that the team appears united.
- Pre-intervention. Decide on all details, such as who will speak when and sitting arrangements, so that there is no fumbling or hesitation during the intervention.
- Anticipate your loved one’s counters. Be calm and rational while responding to the addict’s objections. The person will avoid taking responsibility for his or her behaviour and may indulge in blaming and justifying. Offer solutions to objections, such as taking care of his or her children or taking care of their Pets while they are in rehab.
- Avoid getting angry. Do not confront or be hostile. The intervention is about love, respect, support and concern; not anger. Be honest and do not use the intervention as a manipulation tactic.
- Stay on track during the intervention. The alcoholic or addicted person may try and derail the intervention by resorting to accusations, angry outbursts or expressing deep hurt. Remain calm and stick to your points.
- Don’t give time to your loved one to think over it. Ask the addict to accept the help that’s being offered today and to accept the treatment. We will be ready to take the addict to the private detox and treatment facility immediately, having made all prior arrangements.
After the intervention
Once the intervention is over and the loved one has accepted the help our interventionists will drive the loved one to the chosen detox or treatment centre in Calgary.
If the loved one is going out of the province our Calgary interventionists will take the person struggling with substance abuse issues to the airport in Calgary or Edmonton and fly with them to the selected rehab facility. Once the intervention client is safely checked into treatment our interventionists will then fly back to Alberta and make sure the family members are informed and provide information for family counselling and aftercare programs in Calgary.
Aftercare Treatment in Calgary
Our professional addiction therapists and interventionists in Calgary offer outpatient treatment programs in Calgary for when the afflicted person returns home. This may include weekly drug testing, family programs, weekly addiction counselling and case management. Sober living options will also be given to the client while the client is still in treatment. Once the client comes home, the family needs to continue to set up healthy boundaries to make sure the loved one doesn’t go back into previous patterns and old behaviours. The client should be attending an outpatient program and going to AA, NA or other group peer support meetings in Calgary after their treatment program ends.
Our Calgary interventions are highly successful in getting your loved one to agree to go to treatment and they do help save lives. It is never too early to hold an intervention. We offer Drug & Alcohol Intervention Services all across Alberta. For more information on intervention services in Calgary, Alberta, contact us today for your free consultation at 1-888-963-9116. We can meet in person with you or your family in Calgary within 48 hours.