Intervention Guidelines

10 Point guidelines for an informal intervention with a friend or family member who is addicted to alcohol, drugs, medication and/or gambling:

1. Firstly, do not try to hide things or cover for the person. You might think you are helping the person, but you are actually enabling him/her to continue with their drinking/drugging or gambling. By keeping quiet or making excuses for the person, you are not helping him/her.
    
2. Create a safe and caring atmosphere (physically and emotionally) when you do the intervention.
    
3. Never attack the person who is the focus of the intervention. Tell the person that you as family and friends decided to get together to speak to him/her because you are concerned and you care about him/her.
    
4. Each friend/family member share with the person (in the presence of the other friends and family) how they experience the person when he or she is abusing alcohol and/or drugs or gambling, and compare that to how he/she was before the dependency started. The aim is to highlight the consequences of the addictive behavior. In other words, how it is affecting the person's life on all levels of functioning (socially, professionally, spiritually, personally and financially). Refer to practical examples based on facts, not hear say or assumptions. Tell the person how you experienced him/her, also focus on consequences of their drinking/drugging or gambling behavior. Remember that due to the mind altering effect of addiction the person who is addicted does not see reality as it is. It is therefore important that the person sees him/herself through your eyes.
    
5. Utilise this opportunity to tell the person how his/her drinking/drugging is affecting you personally. Remember that behind the addictive behavior there is still a person you care for. You might feel angry, disappointed, and disillusioned, but keep in mind that the addictive behavior is masking the true person.
    
6. Focus on the problem (addiction) and not the person. In other words make it clear to the person that you as family and friends still love and accept the person, but do not except his/her drinking, drugging or gambling behavior.
    
7. The person might be defensive or try to convince you that he/she can stop the addictive behavior without professional help. Explain to the person that it is not only about quitting, but also receiving the necessary counseling and guidance to change one's thinking regarding his/her addiction. The person is not only physically but also emotionally addicted. It is for this reason that the person needs treatment and assistance on a physical as well as an emotional level in order to fully recover from the addiction. This essential element of recovery is addressed through structured treatment in a friendly, safe and healing environment.
    
8. Should the person insist that he/she can quit on their own, make a written agreement with the person. The agreement or contract should state clearly that if he/she fails to recover without professional help, he/she will agree to treatment. This document should be signed by the person who is the focus of the intervention as well as two witnesses present.
    
9. Please take note that it can be extremely dangerous for a person to stop using alcohol and/or drugs without medical assistance and supervision. It is potentially life threatening. At Elim Clinic we focus on all aspects of recovery which not only includes social, emotional and spiritual intervention, but also medical assistance throughout the process of detoxification and withdrawal.
    
10. When the person agrees to be admitted, do not waste time. Make enquiries before hand and be prepared. Arrange for admission as soon as possible. Bookings are essential; please phone 011 975 2951 or send an email to admission@elimclin.co.za in order to make a booking. You can speak to our admission officers Annatjie or Imelda.