What Is the Best Way to Do a Drug Intervention?

Question by I love my kids!: What is the best way to do a Drug Intervention?
My father Inlaw has been using drugs for 35 years now and my husband and I have found Meth in his garage and meth pipes also. My sister Inlaw wants all of us to get together and plan and Intervention on him. But im worried about doing it right. What should we say and how do we begin? We just want him to get help and to go rehab or detox willingly. Please give me good advice so that I can be helpful. Thanks alot!!!

Best answer:

Answer by Stonedprincess
I was in the same situation when my mom was on drugs. Me and my step-dad had to intervene. Don’t do what we did…which was throw a drug test at them, and accuse. First off, let him know that you’re aware of the situation, and that you care about him, and don’t want to see him hurting himself and others anymore. Tell him how much you care about him, and let him know that you are all there for him.

But know that he will not willingly go to rehab or anything, until he is ready to face the situation on his own.

Hope that helps! Good Luck!

Answer by barbarameuleman
Stonedpr gave some good answers. Because he is older, you will not be able to do the final part of the intervention, which is to have a rehab place ready, his luggage packed and a ride to the facility if he desires to go. This is done with a teenager, but an adult usually gets angry.
If you try this, first read a good book on interventions. Yes, they do have them, through drug and rehab resources.
An intervention is, as you may know, where all of the people who are affected by his drug use, sit in one room. Each person has a piece of paper where they have written down how this person’s behavior has hurt/affected them. A boss can say how it has hurt the workplace; a wife can say how it has affected their home/sex/intimate life; a child can say how it has affected the child/parent relationship and how frightened they are of the behavior. You get the idea.
But don’t expect him to change; it has to come from him. He only has to hear the truth, and then your part is done. You continue to love him, but don’t make life easy for him. Don’t fur lineh the pig pen is an old saying in drug rehab…don’t excuse his behavior once an intervention is done. Everyone must state what they are willing to do to help but also what they are going to stop doing for him if he continues destroying himself. Always speak with love! The wife must be ready to leave if that is the option she chooses. No one must say they will do something and then back down.
Users are King-babies…they want everyone to think they are in charge, but they truly need everyone to continue to use their drugs. No one can be an addict without help. Helpers are called enablers.
A good resource is Al-anon; you’ll hear the stories there that will help you understand this disease; substitue the word drugs when you hear alcohol….alcohol IS a drug!
All who love him should read a good book such as “Co-dependent No More” an old book but one of the best for family of users.
Good luck..

Drug overdose intervention bill clears Minn. Senate
ST. PAUL, Minn. — The Minnesota Senate Tuesday unanimously passed a bill aimed at reducing heroin overdose deaths, by arming first responders with an effective antidote and granting limited immunity to Good Samaritans who report a drug overdose in …
Read more on KARE


Family intervention drug defendant sentenced
RIDGWAY — A Kersey man hit with drug charges after a family intervention resulted in a call to police has pleaded guilty to possession of drug paraphernalia. Michael Scott Bartlett, 27, of 121 Dagus Mines Road, Kersey, was charged with multiple counts …
Read more on Bradford Era


Overdose Intervention: Clarkstown PD Pilots New Drug Program
… and Automated External Defibrillators(AEDs). The goal is to provide Officers with this life saving medication to intervene immediately in a drug overdose and provide the level of medical response and care that the citizens of Clarkstown deserve and …
Read more on Patch.com

More Drug Intervention Information…