If you're wondering what to say at a drug intervention, this is a common question. The words and phrases you use will make a drug user more receptive to getting help, so make sure to plan this in advance.
What to Say at a Drug Intervention
When performing a drug intervention, it's import to approach the situation as calmly and respectfully as possible. The more you can get the individual to listen and hear what you have to say, the better the results will be. Things like carefully choosing your tone of voice, picking your words carefully and staying calm should be strictly followed. Here are some more good objectives for what to say at a drug intervention with a loved one.
Persuade with Facts
Think of everything you need to say in advance, and choose words and phrases that are most likely to get the drug user to agree with you. One way to keep the emotion at a lull is to stick to the facts. Explain exactly what you've observed as the problem, and let the individual know you want to help. Tip: Bring up times and dates when the drug addiction has interfered with the addict's life and been a problem.
Prepare for Objections
You are addressing issues that may never have been spoken of before, so be prepared for a backlash. While you only have so much power to get through to the individual, be prepared to listen to objections. When you're putting a drug user (or anyone for that matter) in an uncomfortable situation, excuses or denial may come to the surface. Tip: Have solutions ready for common objections.
Listen
While you're performing the intervention to convince the individual to get help, listening skills are just as important. You can state your case and try to drill it in, but if the drug user doesn't have a chance to work things out and come round to agreeing with you, the effort is not going to pay off. Let the individual speak his mind, but gently guide the conversation toward creating a realization within his mind. You already know there is a problem, but once the individual feels the same way, you're going to move forward. Tip: Let the drug user talk and realize in his own mind that help is necessary.
Show Compassion
An intervention should not be a personal attack on the drug user. Keep in mind that you are doing this lovingly and not out of anger or for past regressions. Do whatever you can to control your emotions and avoid lashing out. The person in front of you is the one who needs help, so don't make the intervention about yourself. Try to ultimately address the drug problem as separate from the addict's identity as a person. Make sure to address that the problem is capable of being helped and that there is more to the drug user than the addiction. Tip: Be sure to say that you care about and love the person.
Have a Plan
An intervention requires a certain amount of planning and coordination, so do take it very seriously. Some things that will help with planning is knowing what to expect. It's likely that you will be very nervous, but the more you can remain calm and direct, the better. Plan what you will say in advance, write it down and rehearse it. Tip: Get family and friends involved in the intervention plan by having everyone write down things to say and reading the letter aloud.
Make It Worthwhile
What to say during a drug intervention is very important, so take these steps to plan ahead. With good preparation and counseling, your words and suggestions should be effective.
