HOLIDAY INTERVENTIONS
Should I wait to do an Intervention until after the holidays?
When a person suffers from a substance abuse disorder, some members of his or her family and friends may think that it would be better to wait until after the holiday season is over to stage an intervention. However, the fact is that delaying an intervention for any reason at all increases the chances of an addiction further spiraling out of control. Addiction is progressive disease and only gets worse as time passes.
Why Conducting an Intervention During the Holidays Can be Particularly Effective:
1. Addiction doesn’t stop when the holiday season starts.
The holidays are a time that people look forward to; however, the season can be stressful, as well. It’s not uncommon for someone with a substance abuse problem to increase the amount that they use or drink during this time of year. They may be attending several social events or have vacation time during the holidays, which allows for more time to consume even more alcohol and/or their drug of choice.
2. Waiting won’t make the situation any better.
If you’re waiting for the “right” time to approach your loved one about their addiction, there really isn’t one. The saying, “There’s no time like the present” applies to scheduling an intervention. You may have heard that someone with substance abuse issues needs to “hit rock bottom” or “needs to want help” before an intervention can be successful. Both statements are myths. While waiting for someone with addiction to hit their personal rock bottom, they may be involved in an auto accident that will injure themselves or someone else, lose their job, lose their home or experience some other negative life event. It isn’t likely that your loved one will decide that they want help to stop their addiction. They will continue to drink or use drugs, and the addiction will become more ingrained and harder to treat.
3. Holidays are a good time to gather family and friends for the intervention.
When you’re putting together the team of people who will be participating in the intervention, ask yourself whether there is anyone whom your addicted loved one may hold in particularly high esteem. If so, make a point of asking this relative or childhood friend, who may not have seen your loved one for some time, to attend the intervention. Their memories of your loved one before the addiction took hold and hope for a sober future may help to influence them to make a positive change.
4. The holiday season is a time for gift-giving. Through an intervention, your family can help to give the gift of sobriety.
Your loved one did not start their drinking or substance abuse with the expectation of developing an addiction. No one who picks up a drink or uses drugs ever does.
Most people who have a substance abuse problem need help to stop. Holding an intervention over the holiday season sends a powerful message that your family is not prepared to stand by and let your loved one continue on the same path any longer.
Transcend Interventions provides alcohol, drug, mental health and eating disorders Intervention for all who are struggling. Clients receive an individualized Intervention which focuses on Recovery for the whole family and especially their afflicted loved one. The Intervention process will begin everyone’s healing and set them on new ground. Family and Friends will learn a new perspective and approach to the problem to help them all get better.
These are just few reasons why RIGHT NOW is the time to help your addicted loved one. It is always best for the family to hire a professional and not try doing this process on their own. They may only have one chance at doing it right.
