At Reprieve, we handle addiction intervention in New Jersey. We know that addiction and mental illnesses can be difficult to live with. That’s why we offer outpatient programs and support to those with a substance use disorder or dual diagnosis. We believe that the right help can go a long way in getting your loved one back on track and on the journey toward recovery.
JUMP TO SECTION
What Is an Intervention?
An intervention is a structured, intentionally planned event. Friends, family members, colleagues, and others who know a person with a substance use disorder or co-occurring mental health disorder come together to confront them about their conditions and to encourage them to seek help.
The goal of an intervention is to get individuals to recognize that their substance use or co-occurring mental health disorder is having a negative impact on their lives and the lives of others. Seeing those they care about come to them in a united front can help move the needle and get them to agree to seek treatment before the problem gets worse.
What Happens During an Intervention?
Not all interventions are the same. However, all of them have the goal of bringing together concerned individuals to convince a loved one to seek an assessment and support for their substance use disorder.
Some of the key features of an intervention include:
- Planning and organizing a time, date, and location for the intervention. This is usually done with a licensed counselor or interventionist.
- Being supportive and avoiding judgmental discussions. The tone of an intervention should be empathetic.
- Providing specific examples to help the individual decide to seek treatment. For instance, explaining times when their actions caused them harm could help.
- Offering a way to move forward. Usually, interventions aren’t done until there is prearranged treatment available. You might schedule detox or counseling for the individual in advance, for example.
- Defining clear consequences for refusing to participate. You want to get the individual committed to substance use disorder treatment, so outlining the consequences of refusing to go, like cutting off financial support if they don’t go, could help.
While you plan an intervention, consider speaking to the interventionist or counselor about different approaches. Some types of interventions you could try include:
- A simple intervention, such as a one-on-one conversation with a friend or family member
- A crisis intervention, which happens in response to a specific event, such as an overdose or arrest
- A professionally guided intervention, which puts the interventionist at the center of the conversation to control the process
- A classic intervention, also known as the Johnson Model, which allows a group to confront an individual with a well-coordinated message asking them to seek help.
We accept most insurance plans
We accept a wide range of insurance plans, making it easier for more people to get the quality care they need without worrying about the cost.
Understanding More About Interventions in New Jersey
An intervention is often the first step taken when someone is using drugs or alcohol. Their friends, family, or coworkers may work with interventionists or addiction specialists to speak with the individual about drug addiction, problems with alcohol, and potentially seek professional help.
The New Jersey Department of Human Services Division of Mental Health and Addiction Services provides prevention and early intervention services within the state, and it also awards funding to providers who do the same.
What Is an Early Intervention System?
A New Jersey early intervention system for mental health disorders and drug and alcohol addiction is a network of services designed to identify and address substance abuse or mental health issues at the earliest stage possible.
Regardless of the particular substance being used or that is at risk of being used, an early intervention program will help identify behaviors that could lead to harm, such as turning to alcohol or drugs to cope. Early intervention systems can be used for teens, young adults, and adults.
A good example of an early intervention system is a substance use disorder screening. This kind of screening can identify those at risk of developing a drug or alcohol disorder, as well as those who are already using drugs or alcohol. If a positive screening occurs, a professional interventionist, therapist, social worker, or other qualified professional can provide advice tailored to the individual with the goal of avoiding or reducing the use of drugs and alcohol.
Types of Early Intervention Programs
Early intervention programs aim to stop drug and alcohol addiction and to address the underlying causes by getting your loved one the help they need before a substance use disorder gets out of control. Early intervention programs are highly customizable and tailored to meet the needs of the individual who will be the center of the intervention.
Drug Interventions
The purpose of a drug intervention is to address and stop the pattern of drug misuse early on, which can help prevent drug use from becoming chronic. Intervention strategies for drug addiction may include:
- Short, structured conversations that bring awareness to the individual that family members or friends recognize what’s going on and want to help.
- Outpatient counseling, such as individual or group therapy, scheduled for the individual when drug misuse is suspected.
- Educational workshops, which can be tailored to larger at-risk groups
- Family-based interventions, which address addiction but also include the family in the therapy and healing process.
Alcohol Interventions
Alcohol interventions are made to prevent the development of alcohol dependence. The goal is to provide education and support to those at risk of developing alcoholism.
Common approaches to alcohol intervention include:
- Talking to an addicted loved one about your concerns
- Performing a substance use disorder (SUD) screening in a healthcare setting
- Introducing an individual to a local 12-step program, such as Alcoholics Anonymous
The exact intervention strategies that work for the person you know will depend on their needs and the environment in which you need to address them. For example, if you plan an intervention involving a parent, you may not want an interventionist to come to a child’s home. Instead, you might schedule the intervention for a different location, like a friend’s home.
Dual Diagnosis Interventions
Dual-diagnosis interventions are slightly different than other kinds because of the involvement of a mental health disorder. While an intervention aims to bring the problems to the individual’s attention in a natural environment while acting as a teachable moment with clear consequences for avoiding change, caution has to be taken.
For those with severe mental health disorders, an intervention may need to involve mental health professionals, case managers, addiction counselors, and others on coordinated care teams. An intervention may also involve immediate transportation to a rehab facility, hospital, or other treatment center where the individual can get assistance with a substance use disorder and mental health condition at the same time.
What Happens After an Intervention?
What happens next after an intervention will depend on what the individual chooses to do.
Accepting Help
If the person accepts help, they will usually be immediately transported into treatment. Treatment might include inpatient or outpatient rehabilitation, detoxification, therapy, or dual diagnosis support.
After the individual is transported to an inpatient program or outpatient program (like ours at Reprieve Recovery), the family will continue to be involved in most cases. Family members may participate in therapy or go through educational programs to learn how to support their loved one’s recovery.
Aftercare planning also occurs at this time and throughout the individual’s time in treatment. They will learn more about support groups like Alcoholics Anonymous or Narcotics Anonymous, possible sober living arrangements, and relapse prevention strategies.
Refusing Help
If the individual does not accept help at the time of the intervention, consequences need to be given. Usually, this means the family or friends of the individual need to stick to the consequences they discussed, such as cutting off financial support or no longer staying in touch.
Although it can be disappointing that a friend or loved one would reject support, stay open-minded and leave the door open by giving them information about where they can seek help. Many people come around to the idea of treatment at a later date if they are encouraged to do so.
While you may want to continue pushing your loved one to seek care, it’s also important for you to seek out support of your own. Joining a support group or seeing a therapist can help you manage the stress of helping someone with mental health or addiction issues.
Why Take Advantage of Intervention Services New Jersey?
The reality is that an intervention can set the stage for better days for an individual with a substance use disorder or mental health problem. At Reprieve Recovery, we know that setting up an intervention is a team effort. Working with a professional interventionist or counselor can help you create the right kind of intervention for your loved one and encourage them to get the help they need to recover from addiction.
Looking for information on addiction treatment or just need to talk? Our experienced and compassionate team is here to guide and support you every step of the way.
Reprieve New Jersey: Addiction Intervention New Jersey
At Reprieve Recovery, it is our goal to help anyone who is dealing with drug and alcohol addiction or issues with a dual diagnosis. No matter where you’re at we are here to help guide them toward a life that is free of addiction. Contact us today to learn more about our intake process and to speak to one of our helpful team members.
Resources:
https://nj.gov/humanservices/dmhas/resources/services/prevention/
