Intervention and Detox

Intervention refers to a planned and structured event designed to address the behaviors of an individual addicted to drugs or alcohol. An intervention, usually enacted by family members and/or friends of the addict, can be either direct or indirect. Direct interventions involve confronting an individual with the effect of their behavior on themselves and others with a directive to seek professional help. Indirect interventions most often engage a co-dependent family in urging a more effective involvement with an addicted family member.

An effective intervention is not hastily conceived or executed. It involves careful planning among the friends and/or family of the addicted individual with the help and guidance of an intervention specialist, a therapist or counselor, or an addiction educator. Prior to a successful intervention, the individuals involved devote ample time to preparing letters to the addict or alcoholic describing the effects of that person’s behavior on them and agree to establishing boundaries and consequences should the person’s behavior remain unchanged. A rehearsal of the intervention by all parties involved insures the effective implementation of the intervention itself.

Dr. Vernon Johnson, an Episcopal priest and recovering alcoholic, began utilizing interventions in the 1960s. His approach was later known as The Johnson Model and was taught at The Johnson Institute, now a division of Hazelden. Dr. Johnson believed that an alcoholic did not have to hit “rock bottom” before intervention could be utilized effectively. In recent years, two models for a structured intervention have been utilized extensively – the Systemic Family Model and the A.R.I.S.E. model. The Systemic Family Model uses an invitational approach in dealing with an individual’s substance abuse, while the A.R.I.S.E. model tends to be more confrontational.

There are many resources available that offer a wealth of information on the process of intervention on the Internet. It is tremendously important, however, that professional assistance in organizing the intervention be obtained for best results. Friends and families considering intervention should be aware that AISCB, the Association of Intervention Specialist Certification Board, has developed a rigorous process of certification for professionals in the field. Their website contains valuable information on how to engage a Certified Interventionist and how to approach the process of intervention. If you are considering planning and implementing an intervention, you may wish to visit some of the websites below.

Association of Intervention Specialist Certification Board: http://www.aiscb.org

Family Systemic Intervention information: http://www.systemicintervention.com/faq_family.htm

A.R.I.S.E. Intervention Model information: http://www.linkinghumansystems.com/arise_method.html

An Intervention Guide: http://www.recoveryconnection.org/intervention-guide/InterventionGuide.pdf

www.sobriety.org

Detoxification refers to the elimination from the human body of the toxic substances to which an individual has developed dependence, thus reducing the physiological effects of addictive substances. The process of detoxification can take several days to two weeks depending on the substance to which an individual is addicted and the amount of that substance that they are accustomed to abusing. It should be noted that physical detoxification does not address the far greater problem of psychological aspects of addiction, behavioral problems associated with substance dependence, and social and relational factors that frequently attend an addictive lifestyle.

In recent years, some medical practitioners have utilized a process known as Rapid Detoxification to accelerate the process of the elimination of addictive substances from the body. In the Rapid Detox process, an individual is placed under anesthesia and administered medications to speed up the body’s ability to eliminate toxins. There is significant controversy surrounding the Rapid Detox process and potential health risks, and recent studies conducted in Australia have indicated that while rapid detoxification may be beneficial for getting individuals off opioids short term, its long term efficacy is suspect.

The United States Department of Health and Human services has gathered a wealth of information on the issues surrounding detoxification and substance abuse available at: http://www.guideline.gov/content.aspx?id=9117

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