Intervention is really just a nicer word for confrontation. It’s what happens when a family confronts the drug or alcohol abuser and attempts to get them into treatment. According to the love first web site, intervention is the most powerful tool for families who want to help a loved one who is struggling with alcoholism and drug addiction.
The love first site also suggests that intervention teaches families and friends a language alcoholics can understand. It organizes love and honesty in a way that breaks through denial. It creates a moment of clarity for the alcoholic.
Leading interventionists Debra and Jeff Jay spoke at both events. Here is a video clip from the recent LJAP program or Mr. Jay discussing intervention:
At the Barone Defense Firm we have a basic knowledge about intervention. In February 2006 Patrick Barone attended a seminar entitled The Moment of Change, Intervention, sponsored by Foundations Associates and presented in Santa Monica, California.
More recently, on April 16, 2009, Mr. Barone and his office manager, Brian Corby, attended “An Evening of Enlightenment,” which was sponsored by Brighton Hospital and the Lawyers and Judges Assistance Program.
At the Barone Defense Firm we don’t run interventions with our clients. By definition we can’t because of our professional relationship to the client. We also can’t because we’re not trained to do so. That does not mean we don’t confront our clients if we have reason to believe they could benefit from treatment. We can also help you if you’d like more information on how know someone who you think might benefit from intervention.
If you’d like to know how to recognize a drug or alcohol abuse problem here are some signs and symptoms. This list is reproduced from the Brighton Hospital web site:
- Observable signs of deteriorating personal hygiene
- Multiple physical symptoms and complaints
- Accidents
- Personality and behavioral changes
- Many drug prescriptions for self and family
- Frequent emotional crises
- Behavior excused by family and friends.
- Activities involving drinking alcohol are a priority
- Arguments/violent outbursts
- Sexual problems
- Extramarital affairs
- Withdrawal from and fragmentation of family
- Neglect of children
- Abnormal, illegal, anti-social actions of children
- Separation or divorce
- Unexplained absences from home
Medical and Physical Symptoms of Substance Abuse
- Observable decline in physical health
- Signs of weight change
- Pupils either dilated or constricted; face flushed/bloated
- Emergency-room treatments such as drug or alcohol overdose, unexplained injuries, symptoms of migraine headaches, auto accidents
- Claims of having been “mugged” but without witnesses
- Inability to focus and track in a conversation
- Signs of shakiness, tremors of hands
- Slurred speech
- Unsteady gait
- Constant runny nose
- Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea
Addiction Symptoms Observed by Friends and Community
- Noticeable signs of becoming personally isolated
- Embarrassing behavior
- Driving while under the influence of alcohol or a drug
- Legal problems
- Neglect of social commitments
- Unpredictable behavior such as inappropriate spending
Workplace Signs of Addiction
- Signs of workaholic behavior
- Disorganized schedule
- Decreased workload or workload intolerance
- Signs of poor work performance
- Alcohol on breath with attempts to cover with mints or mouthwash
- Frequent unexplained absences or prolonged breaks
- Tardiness or leaving work early
- Withdrawal from professional committees or organizations
- Defensive if questioned or confronted
- Poor judgment
- Observed occurrences of drug or alcohol intoxication, drowsiness or hypersensitivity during work hours
- Deadlines barely met or missed altogether
- Frequent job changes or relocation
- Avoiding supervisor or other co-workers