The first, and sometimes most important step, toward encouraging a loved one who has a substance abuse disorder, is to professionally confront them through an intervention.
Through the Johnson Model of Intervention, thousands of Americans who have suffered from addiction over the years have been put through this model and successfully entered a treatment program.
How Does This Model Work?
As a loved one of someone who is facing addiction, it can be physically and emotionally difficult to try to encourage them to seek help alone. Collaborating with the help of other loved ones, acquaintances, and health professionals to deliver a powerful ultimatum can motivate the person who is addicted to willingly enter rehabilitation.
For the Johnson Model of Intervention to work properly, several key factors need to be set in stone. These include:
- Preparation: The intervention team of friends, family members, co-workers, and other loved ones should be well-prepared. This includes rehearsing what they will say, deciding who will participate, and selecting a time and place for the intervention.
- Planning: The intervention team should have a plan for what scenarios could happen during this event. They should also establish a time, location, and possible backup plans to make sure the intervention is done successfully. If the intervention is unsuccessful, there should be strict boundaries put in place.
- Communication: The intervention team should keep communication among themselves, discluding the person who is the subject of the intervention, until the event. They should approach this person calmly and respectfully during this time, expressing their concerns, and love for the person while also being clear about the negative impact of their addiction. Examples of how their addiction has impacted the lives of their loved ones in addition to themselves should also be included.
- Support: The intervention team should be prepared to offer support to the person if they agree to addiction treatment, including through transportation to a rehabilitation facility, making appointments, and providing emotional support.
- Follow-up: After the intervention, it is important to follow up with the person to ensure that they are following through with treatment and to offer ongoing support and encouragement.
Overall, the success of the Johnson Model of Intervention depends on the willingness of the person to accept help as well as the support and preparation of the intervention team.
Who Does The Johnson Intervention Style Impact Most?
The classic intervention style of confrontation works well for those who have been facing moderate to severe forms of substance abuse for some time. For those in the early stages of substance use disorders, this style might seem too extreme of an approach and could actually push them further into drug addiction.
The confrontational nature of the Johnson Model of Intervention can be more effective for someone who has already experienced negative consequences related to their addiction. This could include legal problems, financial difficulties, or other negative impacts on their life as a result of their addiction. It should also be noted that this method is often a last resort when other attempts to convince the person to seek treatment have failed.
Drew Horowitz & Associates – The Interventionalists of MN
To increase your chances of a successful outcome, it’s important to involve an interventionist to help you. Not only can these professionals help organize your intervention, but they can also serve as a moderator and safe mode of transportation when your loved one agrees to seek treatment.
Drew Horowitz & Associates has a team of certified interventionalists that are ready to help your loved ones. For more information about our professional interventionists as well as our drug and alcohol interventions in Minnesota, please contact the office of Drew Horowitz & Associates.