Intervention; Act 1, Scene 1

Honesty is the best policy. Except for addicts. It should be but addicts aren’t typically known for their honesty. There is an old saying that if an addict’s mouth is moving then they are lying. Clearly this lack of honesty can significantly inhibit their ability to proceed down the path of recovery. Addicts often minimize their disease in all aspects ranging from how much they use to how their disease impacts the lives of those around them.

In addiction to limitations in their honesty addicts often are challenged when it comes to insight. They often do not or can not see where their disease has taken them and how they can get out of the throws of this disease and back on track

Thus the need for an intervention. By way of an intervention it gives those closest to an addict an opportunity to help them with both their honesty and their insight. Then thinking behind an intervention is quite simple; overwhelm the addict with a mountain of evidence that leaves them no wiggle room to minimize their disease any longer and hopefully do so in a way that helps them accept the need for treatment. That’s the tricky part. That’s the part that requires planning and the guidance of a trained interventionist. It requires advance planning with skillful production and direction. At times it may even require a dress rehearsal in order to make sure that everyone is completely prepared to play their role in the event.

Interestingly enough interventions don’t always have to occur prior to the initiation of a drug treatment program. An intervention can even be useful in the midst of a treatment program. There are many occasions when an addict enters treatment but fails to fully open up and therefore is not fully taking advantage of the program. This leads to a waste of time and money and clearly inhibits recovery. At times like this and intervention can be just what the doctor ordered to help change that dynamic.

Interventions can be stressful, painful, and inspiring all at the same time. With the right intentions and planning they become a major step in saving the life of someone you love.