An intervention is a formal gathering of friends and family members with the objective of convincing a loved one that he or she has a problem (usually addiction related) and needs to enter treatment for that problem.Interventions involve each participant reading a letter about how much they love and care about the addicted individual, but how they personally have been hurt by the addicted individual’s actions.The goal is to establish a compassionate “united front” in order to get the addict to accept the necessity of treatment.Most intervention specialists advise that interventions be limited to adults. But what happens when the person who needs treatment is a teenager who has been engaging in teen drug abuse?
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Intervening to Save Your Teen
One significant difference between adult addicts and teens is that, unless they have committed some legal infraction and been court-ordered to seek treatment, adults cannot be compelled to enter an addiction recovery program.The vast majority of teens, on the other hand, are still in legal custody of their parents or guardians. This means that they can be placed into a program against their will.But as every parent knows, the difference between “can” and “should” can be massive.Though circumstances may necessitate that you force your teen into treatment, a better alternative is to get him or her to accept the need for help and enter treatment voluntarily. This may be accomplished via a family discussion or in the presence of a counselor or other professional.As with a more formal intervention, convincing your teen to accept the reality that he or she needs treatment can be a difficult, emotional process – but the effort can literally save your child’s life.
Image Source: www.interventionallies.com Doing Your Homework
Before you can effectively talk to your teen about drug treatment, you first need to educate yourself about teen substance abuse, addiction and treatment options. Consulting with your family physician, your child’s guidance counselor or a local addiction recovery organization is a great first step.Once you have a firm grasp on what your child has been doing – and what treatment options exist – you are prepared to make an informed decision about how to get your child the help he or she needs. Teen drug rehab opportunities can range from outpatient therapy through an extended stay in a residential program.As with all decisions related to your child’s healthcare, the goal isn’t just to identify the “best” program, but to find the program that best meets your teen’s specific needs.
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Image Source: www.casayouthshelter.org Talking to Your Teen about Drug Rehab
Once you and your spouse or partner have identified the best place for your teen, it’s time to intervene. Depending upon the nature of your relationship with your child, this conversation may or may not involve a trained professional such as a therapist, counselor or board registered interventionist.As is the case with an adult intervention, the goal of this conversation with your teen should be to establish the following three points:1. You love and care about your teen.2. Your teen’s substance abuse and/or addiction are damaging the entire family.3. Treatment is necessary – right now.Prior to intervening with your teen, you should have made the necessary arrangements to have him or her admitted into the drug rehab program immediately after this conversation.When Words Aren’t Enough
Hopefully you will be able to persuade your teen to accept both the necessity and inevitability of treatment – but if your every effort is met with resistance, then you may have to resort to more drastic measures.In many cases, parents of recalcitrant teens contract with an adolescent transport service. These specialized organizations are expert in safely transporting young people who are resistant to the idea of treatment.If you believe that this may be the best option for your family, you should discuss this with the program you have selected prior to conducting the intervention. Many teen drug programs will accept young people who have not consented to treatment, while others require that the child enter of his or her own free will.Regardless of what decisions you make regarding your teens drug rehab experience, the following principles are important to keep in mind:1. Educate yourself about both the problem and the range of treatment options2. Present a united front with your spouse or partner3. Give your child the opportunity to accept the necessity of treatment4. Emphasize that the decisions you are making are being made out of love, compassion and a genuine concern for your child’s future5. Consult or contract with professionals at any stage of the process where you feel that outside assistance will be beneficial to you, your child or your entire family.
