Substance Abuse Intervention

If you suspect that an individual is being negatively affected by substance abuse, it is your active involvement on behalf of the person who is trapped in the vicious cycle of substance abuse that begins the process of lifestyle change. The involvement of concerned others is commonly referred to as an Intervention. Intervention is the first step in the recovery process. Professional treatment is the second. Both are necessary steps, but with intervention up to 85% of addicted people seek treatment to become free of their dependencies.

If you think a friend, co-worker, or family member with a substance abuse problem may need substance abuse intervention, the following test can help you determine if your suspicions are founded. Answer each question with a "yes" or "no."

1. Are you ever afraid to be around the person when he or she is drinking or using drugs because of the possibility of verbal or physical abuse?
2. Do you worry about the person's drinking or drug use?
3. Has the person broken promises to control or stop his/her drinking or drug use?
4. Have you ever made excuses for the way the person behaved while drinking or using?
5. Do you feel guilty about the person's drinking or drug use?
6. Do you feel anxious or tense around the person because of his or her drinking or drug use?
7. Are you afraid to ride with the person after he or she has been drinking or using?
8. Have you ever lied to anyone else about the person's drinking or drug use?
9. Have you ever helped the person "cover up" for a drinking or using episode by calling his or her employer, or telling others that he or she is feeling "sick"?
10. Have you ever been embarrassed by the person's drinking or drug use?

If you answered "yes" to three or more of these questions, then there is a good chance that the person you care about has a drinking or substance abuse problem. If you answered "yes" to any five, the chance is even greater. And if you answered "yes" to seven or more, you can feel safe in assuming that the person you care about needs help.

Many families have made numerous, but unsuccessful, attempts to help their addicted loved ones. They may have tried various approaches to control or "fix" the addicted individual, but the addiction progresses. Don't be an enabler, say something! Demonstrate caring and concern. Keep in mind, are you helping the person by intervening, or hurting them by remaining silent? You should expect initial resistance, but continue to follow through with the process anyway.

Also, anticipate that the individual who is suspected of having a substance abuse problem might try to minimize their use, change the topic, joke about their use, or say, "My substance use is no worse than anyone else's." Even if the individual begins to share some life problems that they have been experiencing, know that those problems won't get better unless the person quits their substance abuse first. If you live, work, or play next to a person who has a substance abuse problem, for every one person who has the problem, ten people are inconvenienced or are also negatively effected. Additionally, seek professional assistance in order to appropriately plan the substance abuse intervention.

If an individual you know is having problems and is considering abusing drugs to relieve the pain, you can be of help just by being there to listen and by affirming your personal decision that drugs are not a good way to deal with problems. In some cases, this may be all that is needed. A caring and strong presence can go a long way as can an informed discussion about what a particular drug can do to the mind and body. There may be other situations, though, which require specific and professional help that you are not prepared to give. When you realize that someone you know may have a drug problem, there are some choices of action you need to make.

Among your choices are:

1. Convince the person to seek help. Be prepared with the names of people and agencies that can provide help.
2. If you are underage or worried about dealing with the individual one on one, tell a responsible adult. Tell someone like an instructor or counselor that you are concerned about the person. You may be reluctant to do this because it feels like telling on someone. However, especially in cases where you know the person is using life-threatening drugs or participating in dangerous situations, you are really doing this person a favor. Your action may save a life.
3. If you know of someone selling drugs, report the person to an appropriate authority. People who sell drugs have passed the point of having a personal problem. Drug dealers are hurting others. Know the proper procedure for reporting drug-related incidents, and above all, show the individual that you care about their well-being and are willing to help.

Your example and your support can have a positive impact on those around you. Become involved as an individual. Talk to your friends and neighbors about drugs. Ask them to join you in your community's attack on drugs. Reach out a helping hand to your community. Join the fight against drugs and become a part of the solution. Your assistance could save a life.

Suggested Questions when seeking an Interventionist: The Interventionist should be able to answer many of these questions in your first discussion with him/her. Others questions may need further discussion during the first session. Who should explore the possibility for an intervention (Friend, Family, Colleague)?

1. Is there anything that should be done before moving forward with an intervention?
2. When is the right time to intervene?
3. What are the risks involved?
4. What is the ideal number of intervention participants?
5. How is the individual approached? What if he or she refuses?
6. What if the person walks out when he or she sees the group?
7. What if he or she will not accept treatment?
8. What if he or she does accept treatment? What happens then?
9. The intervention is described as a process. When does the process conclude?
   

Warning Signs & Symptoms Indicating a Potential Substance Abuse Problem: The following list of symptoms and signs of substance abuse will help you to determine if someone you know may be using drugs or has a serious drug problem.

• Changes in the workplace:
  • Sporadic attendance/comes to work late
  • Makes excuses for poor performance, missed work days, asks for extensions
  • Turns in work late or not at all
  • Dramatic decrease in work performance
  • Difficulty concentrating and remembering
  • Changes in mood
  • Coming to work with a hangover
  • Appearing stoned or high
  • Brags about/talks frequently about using
  • Seems lethargic; lacks energy and drive
• Changes in the Living Environments:
  • Chronic binge drinking/other drug use with no significant periods of abstinence
  • Use occurs regularly every weekend and sometimes during the week
  • Drinking and disruptive behavior become problematic at home.
  • Drinking is the catalyst for confrontational and argumentative behavior
  • Individual behaves as if it is their "right" to drink abusively
  • Flaunting containers from which alcohol is consumed
  • Secretive behavior surrounds suspected drug use
  • Odor of marijuana is detected
  • Relationships seem to revolve around using alcohol and other drugs
  • Sleeping through/missing social events
  • Reacts defensively when confronted about suspected substance abuse
  • Uses rationalizations to justify substance use
• Changes in the Individual:
  • Changes in discipline, interests, neatness, and attention.
  • Loss of interest in sports, extracurricular activities, or hobbies.
  • Unusual degree of activity, like excitement, boundless energy, excessive laughter, and excessive talkativeness.
  • Unusual inactivity, like moodiness, depression, drowsiness.
  • Poor physical coordination
  • Slurred speech
  • Deterioration of physical appearance and lack of concern for health habits and dress.
  • Loss of appetite and rapid weight loss
  • Sudden increase in appetite
  • Unpredictable outbreaks of temper and arguing
  • Nervousness and irritability
  • Reduced motivation, self-discipline, and self-esteem
  • Wearing sunglasses at inappropriate times to conceal the eyes which may be red or have constricted or dilated pupils
  • Constantly wearing long-sleeved shirts or blouses (to hide needle marks)
  • Borrowing frequently from others or stealing money (required to purchase drugs)
  • Chronic dishonesty, such as lying, stealing, or cheating
  • Appearing frequently in out-of-the way areas, such as closets, storage areas, or rest rooms
  • Guilty behavior and fear of discovery
  • Association with known or possible drug sellers or abusers
  • Not giving straight answers when questioned about activities
  • Appearance of intoxication but no smell of alcohol, indicating possible use of barbiturates or marijuana
  • Use of drug-related vocabulary
  • Possession of pipes, rolling papers, small decongestant bottles, and lighters
  • Possession of drugs or evidence of drugs, such as peculiar plants, butts, seeds or leaves in ashtrays, or clothing pockets
  • Odor of drugs and the smell of incense or other "cover-up" scents

    Remember these are just guidelines of which you should be aware. Many of these behaviors or signs can have causes other than substance abuse. However, if you notice some of these signs in someone, you can be fairly certain that there is some kind of problem. Whether the problem is related to drugs or not, the person needs help. You can be a part of that help.