Can I Recover From Addiction Without Intervention?
Have you tried to quit drugs or alcohol on your own? The truth is, self-rehab most likely would not work for most people, especially teens and young adults. Depending on the duration and regularity of substance use, as well as genetics and other health conditions, an addicted person can be struggling with many co-occurring issues, such as depression and compulsive behavior. So quitting substance use alone cannot automatically heal other parts of the overall condition.
Thinking that one can quit addiction by mere willpower according to one’s own schedule also shows some over-confidence. This mentality is still a sign of denialism. Most teens and young adults cannot quit on their own because of the overwhelming dependency they have developed. They need to work with health professionals who can design a holistic approach to address the physiological, mental, and behavioral aspects of substance addiction.
Why Is Willpower Not Enough?
If you have tried briefly quitting drugs and alcohol on your own, you may know about intense cravings that pull you back into re-use. That is known as a relapse. Drugs and alcohol are powerful in the way that they form a grip on your brain because long-term use has changed the chemicals and structures in your brain. This is why today most medical associations consider addiction a brain disease, just like other diseases such as cancer and diabetes. These conditions cannot heal without intervention.
Even when you decide to quit drugs and alcohol for good, there will surely be withdrawal symptoms within a week. When you have these symptoms, you cannot function normally. Sometimes the reactions can be so intense that they can become life-threatening. Because of the high risks, detoxing certain drugs, such as benzodiazepines and opiates, needs to be monitored by medical professionals. It is not up to your willpower to overcome these dangerous withdrawal symptoms.
Getting rid of substances might be the easiest first step, but you are then left with other co-occurring mental, emotional, and behavioral health problems. Your willpower cannot overcome these complicated medical issues when you are not feeling yourself. Oftentimes, these are the very issues that can cause you to relapse. Once relapse happens, it can only harden your addiction and emotionally defeat you. All these factors make quitting every more difficult.
Why Will Intervention Work?
Because long-term substance use has changed your body and mind, you need to receive a holistic treatment approach that involves a combination of medication, therapies, and counseling. Each of these components seeks to address the physiological, emotional, mental, and behavioral problems that are associated with addiction. Working with an interventionist may help you transition to this professional network of support.
Equally important, an interventionist can be part of a sustainable motivation system for you. On the long journey of recovery, which could take years, motivation is the key to success. Even if you have a supportive family, they might not be experienced enough to know all the necessary strategies that can help you cope with challenges at different stages.
Each recovery path is different, and every phase of that particular path is also different. Expertise aside, you might still have lingering family relationship tensions that could add to the stress. Be aware that stress is one of the primary triggers to relapse. So all in all, it is typically best to work with some experienced health professionals, including interventionists, who can be there for you.
How to Work With an Interventionist
The role of an interventionist is an outside expert who can work with your child in a non-confrontational way to encourage them to accept treatment. An interventionist always follows a multi-step process that can include the following:
- pre-intervention education
- setting healthy boundaries
- escorting the addicted person to outpatient treatment
- ongoing case management
- guiding through treatment decision-making
- parent coaching
An interventionist can adjust these processes to the needs of each family. Take recovery coaching, for example. It focuses on your needs and provides support for your unique journey. This includes setting achievable goals and building a kind of accountability structure in your daily life. A recovery coach is also familiar with the industry in a certain area, so he or she can bring onboard a therapist or a physician to help address certain needs.
Some interventionists provide sober escort services to minimize your exposure to triggers. This adds another layer of accountability before you reach a more stable state of sobriety. Professional sober escorts can also travel with you to attend celebrations and business meetings where substances are likely to be present.
All in all, an interventionist can integrate the parameters of your life into a custom-made plan. You get a whole system of support through working with an interventionist who is well-connected and respected. Well-supported scientific evidence shows that early intervention is always key to boosting the likelihood of long-term recovery from addiction.
Have you been frustrated by failed attempts to quit drugs and alcohol on your own? Do you want to plan an intervention for your teen so that he or she can get out of substance use for good? Do you want to find someone persuasive to work with your child? Are you not sure where to start? Your best bet is to work with an experienced and well-connected interventionist. At South Florida Intervention, our trained interventionists have effectively encouraged people with addiction to accept treatment. We use a non-confrontational approach and guide through education. We work towards the goal to ensure a successful outcome of recovery. With a stellar reputation in the community and a commitment to providing tailor-made services, we can answer any question you may have. Our clients include professionals, entrepreneurs, and young adults. Early intervention can increase the likelihood of long-term recovery. Do not wait another day and call us now at (202) 390-2273.