Is It Time for an Intervention? 5 Questions to Consider
Knowing when to step in and help a loved one can be tough. Balancing support for them while avoiding unnecessary accusations is a delicate situation. And if an intervention isn’t properly planned, it could backfire.
To help you figure out if it's the right time for an intervention, we’ve put together 5 key questions to ask yourself about your loved one:
1. Are they becoming a danger to themselves or others?
If your loved one's behavior is putting themselves or someone else at risk, it’s critical to intervene as soon as possible. Harmful behaviors could come out as threats of violence, suicidal ideation or reckless actions. Ensuring their safety is top priority
2. Are they starting to lose control?
When the negative consequences of a substance use disorder becomes apparent and the person cannot manage their drinking or drug use, this means they’re starting to lose control. This may be a good time for an intervention to help them regain stability.
3. Are they in denial about the consequences of their actions
If someone refuses to acknowledge they have a problem, even when faced with clear evidence of the negative effects of their actions, an intervention might be necessary. The intervention could be a way to break through the denial and get the help they need.
4. Is their substance use disrupting their life and well-being?
When drug or alcohol use starts to affect work, tear apart personal relationships, or deteriorate someone’s overall well-being, these are strong indicators that help is needed.
5. Have they rejected your attempts to help them?
Before considering an intervention, there are more subtle ways to approach someone about their substance use. However, if they continually reject your efforts or aren’t receptive to your support, a structured intervention might be the best way to provide effective help.
If you ever have questions about whether an intervention may be needed or if it’s the right time, don’t hesitate to reach out to us. We’re here to provide unbiased support and guide you through this challenging time.
