| It is very difficult to watch someone you love | | | | Choose Carefully who you will Involve |
| destroy their life with drugs. It is common to feel | | | | When choosing those persons who will be involved in |
| powerless and unable to help, but even someone | | | | the intervention, make sure that they have |
| who appears to have hit rock bottom from drug use | | | | experienced your loved one's behaviour on drugs. |
| can be reached. A well-planned, strategic intervention | | | | Typically, the appropriate people to ask for help in a |
| can stop the denial associated with addiction and | | | | drug intervention include family members, friends or a |
| persuade the individual to seek professional help. You | | | | trained interventionist. It is inappropriate to ask a |
| do not have to be a professional to intervene in an | | | | casual acquaintance or a work colleague. If you |
| addict's life, you simply need to care. You will most | | | | encounter some resistance from family and friends, |
| likely get the support of others who are also | | | | dissuade their fears and worries by educating them |
| concerned. Although you may feel unprepared and | | | | about addiction and reassuring them that without an |
| unqualified to intervene, there are steps you can | | | | intervention the addiction will not stop. |
| follow to help you create a successful drug | | | | Your Tone is as Important as What You Say |
| intervention plan. | | | | When you confront your loved one, the tone of |
| A Drug Intervention is a Positive Confrontation | | | | your voice is as important as what you actually say. |
| As you prepare to confront the person who is | | | | Even when your words express concern and love, if |
| addicted, remember that your goal is to convince | | | | your tone betrays feelings of judgment or disgust, |
| that person to seek help. A confrontation does not | | | | the intervention will not be successful. Remember |
| have to be aggressive or angry, but should be | | | | that the intervention is for the good of the addicted |
| positive and supportive. If you are hesitating for | | | | individual and whatever personal feelings you may |
| reasons of fear or nervousness regarding the addict's | | | | have about their problem should be set aside. Words |
| reaction to your intervention, remember that the | | | | like, "we love you and want you to stop destroying |
| entire purpose of this intervention is to help the | | | | your life with drugs" are encouraging. You want to be |
| addict stop denial and truthfully address the | | | | clear that you are supportive, but you do not |
| seriousness of the situation. This is not to say that | | | | condone a life on drugs. This may be one of the |
| the drug intervention will be easy or even | | | | hardest things you ever do in your lifetime, but if you |
| appreciated, but you must conquer your own fears | | | | approach the situation with love and compassion you |
| and disregard your apprehension in order to commit | | | | may be able to reach someone in dire need of your |
| yourself to helping someone you love end their | | | | help. |
| addiction. | | | | |