Drug abuse is the complete reliance on a chemical substance for the achievement of a certain state of mind. Drug abuse can range from using illegal substances to overusing prescribed drugs. A 2012 report from the National Institute on Drug Abuse showed that 23.9 million people were long- term drug abusers. Drug abuse affects an individual’s social, physical, and emotional life. Continued abuse of drugs leads to addiction. An intervention is a deliberate process to educate and confront a drug abuser in an attempt to convince them to seek treatment (Johnson,1986). Family members, close friends, and a professional interventionist gather in a meeting during an intervention (Kumper et al., 1995).
An intervention should be carefully planned to avoid failure and to drive the abuser further away. A drug abuser will often show signs of social withdrawal, lack of proper hygiene, irritability, weight changes, bloodshot eyes, financial problems among others (Kolb, 1995). An intervention involves identifying the problem, helping the person to seek treatment, and follow- up. Long term drug abusers entirely rely on drugs, and they become part of their lives. Getting them to acknowledge the problem and seek treatment is an uphill task (Hall,1993). Recovery from drug abuse starts with the acknowledgement of the addiction. It is important to note that some drug abusers recognize their problem but have a hard time turning away from their behavior. This paper looks at different interventions for long-term drug abusers.
This method is a refined version of the traditional a confrontational model. In the past, confrontation was negative and blamed the addict for their behavior. This method is considered insensitive according to today’s standards. Dr. Johnson came up with this model during the 70s when it was believed that an addict should hit rock bottom to warrant an intervention. The rock bottom in these cases involved tragic deaths from accidents or suicide. It was believed that as long as an addict had a job, a family and a social life, an intervention was not necessary. Dr. Johnson created a model that would save lives of addicts before it was too late.
In Johnson’s model, a team of family members, close friends, and colleagues is lead by an interventionist (Johnson,1986). The members are advised to learn more about addiction, maintain positivity, and remain empathetic. After all the necessary arrangements, a venue is chosen and the abuser lured to the venue. The team carefully confronts the abuser with their concerns. The group is advised to remind the abuser that they love them, and to avoid any blame and hurt. This model can be tailored to fit the needs of an individual. A spouse may be trained and prepared for confrontation, or a best friend. The addict may respond positively to the intervention. The team is advised to prepare for setbacks because some people might respond negatively. The next step is to encourage and support the abuser in seeking treatment( Loneck &Garret, 1996).
This model is slightly different from the Jonson’s model. This method involves informing the abuser of the intention to intervene. This method is formal, and a professional is involved. The addict is informed of every step to avoid any surprises (Landau et al., 1997). Once the drug abuser agrees to the intervention, the meetings stop and the intervention begins. Addiction and drug abuse affect the involved individual and the family. This model seeks to heal both the abuser and the family members. In many circumstances, family members, especially spouses change their behavior to accommodate the abuser. Some family members make excuses for the addict or join them in their indulgence (Hall, 1993).
The ARISE model seeks to stop this behavior to prepare the abuser for recovery. Dr. Judith Landau co-founded the ARISE model after the death of her parents through drugs. Through her experience, she learned the importance of incorporating the family into the healing process. This model has worked for most people (Landau et al. 1997). This method uses the family network to support the drug abuser.
This method was developed in the year 2000. A team of worried family members and friends come together with a strict agenda (Jay& Jay, 2008). A priest or any trusted family member is made the team leader. The team consists of at least three members. The members are instructed to write letters. These letters are divided into four parts. The first part looks into the relationship between the writer and the abuser. The letter reminisces about past experiences and is concluded with a love message (Hall, 1993). The second part includes instances when the abuser caused the writer pain or embarrassment. The third part is an account of concern. The writer expresses concern and encourages the writer to seek treatment. The fourth and final part states the consequences of failure to adhere to the intervention. This part appears on a different page.
The team letters edit each others’ letters to remove any hostile words and to ensure encouragement. The letters contain suggestions to enter different inpatient facilities. The team makes arrangements with these facilities in case the abuser accepts help. The drug abuser is invited to an agreed venue. The letters are read, and if the patient agrees to seek help, the meeting is ended and the person taken to a health facility immediately. This means that not all letters are read (Jay& Jay, 2008). If the patient remains adamant, the reading continues. When all fail, the bottom lines are read (Kumpfer& Alvarado, 1995). If the addict accepts help and at some point feel like leaving the facility, the letters are presented to him for review and encouragement. This intervention should be concluded with support for treatment.
This model is intense and should be approached with care. This method involves confronting the drug abuser with consequences. Research has shown that only 10% of patients require this type of intervention. If the person fails to stop abusing drugs, the family moves on without the person (Stanton, 2004). In the case of children, the parents ask them to leave home if they fail to stop abusing drugs. In the case of adults, the family cuts all contact and moves on (Loneck et al., 1996). Years of hurt and embarrassment from the addiction may brew anger and hostility. This method requires a professional interventionist.
The professional interventionist guides the family in writing down the consequences without anger and hostility. The drug abuser requires love and encouragement ( Liepman et al., 1989). This method works for those who do not respond to compassion and love. The consequences outline what the abusers tend to lose if they fail to change. This method works for long-term abusers who have refused to respond to the normal intervention methods. The family members may include consequences such as taking custody of the kids, being driven away from home or cut off any financial assistance (Lowinson et al. 2005).
Drug abuse is a sensitive subject that requires technique and expertise. The first step is acceptance and love towards the drug abuser. Different people respond differently to interventions. An intervention should be tailor-made to suit an individual (Bassin, 1975). An interventionist with the right qualifications is an essential asset in the intervention process. The interventionist acts as a neutral party. The above methods of intervention are carried out differently to suit different individuals. Identifying the most suitable method is essential (Hall, 1993).
When loved ones fail to confront, they become enablers. Most drug abusers are not aware of the problem. The main aim of an intervention is to drive the abuser close to treatment. Getting an addict to accept help is the hardest part. Some addicts are aware of their problem but are unwilling to turn away from their addiction. The tough love method applies consequences such as sacking from a job, taking the kids away, or cutting ties. According to Bassin (1993), confrontational tactics should influence the individual’s character. A carefully planned intervention works almost all the time.
Interventions are not always successful. Families and friends should be ready for failure. An addict may refuse to seek treatment after an intervention. The interventionist, in this case, helps the family to carry out the agreed consequences (Kolb, 1995). The addict becomes the loser and might think things over. This can take weeks or even months to accomplish. Patience is key in all interventions.
Bassin, A.(1975), “Different Strokes for Different Folks: A Defense of Confrontation Tactics in Psychotherapy” The Counseling Psychologists. 5(7). 128-130
Best D., Gross S., Vingoe L., Witton J., Strang J.(2003) “Dangerousness of drugs. A guide to the risks and harms associated with substance misuse” London: Department of Health
Hall.J (1993), “What Really Works? A Case Analysis and Discussion of Confrontational Intervention for Substance Abuse “ Archives of Psychiatric Nursing, 7 , 322-327
Jay,D., Jay. J. (2008), “ Love First: A Family’s Guide to Intervention” Minnesota: HazelDen
Johnson, V.(1986) “ Intervention: How to Help Someone Who Doesn’t Want Help” Minneapolis: Johnson Institute Books
Kolb,L.(1995) “ Types and Characteristics of Drug Addicts” Mental Hygiene, 9. 300-317
Kumpfer, L.,Alvarado, R.(1995) “ Family-based Interventions for Substance Use and Misuse Prevention ” Substance Use and Misuse Vol 38, 1759-1787
Landau,J., Shea, R., Garret, J., Stanton ,M, Baciewicz ,S.,& Brinkman, D.(1997)” Strength in Numbers: The ARISE Method for Using Families and Networks to Engage Addicted Persons in Treatment” New York: Brunner/ Mazel
Liepman,M., Nirenberg,T.,& Begin, A.( 1989) “ Evaluation of a Program Designed to Help Families and Significant Others tp Motivate Resistant Alcoholics into Recovery ” American Journal of Drugs& Alcohol Abuse 15(2), 200-221
Loneck, B., Garret, J.,& Banks,S. (1996) “A Comparison of the John Intervention with Four Other Methods of Referral to Outpatient Treatment” The American Journal of Drugs &Alcohol Abuse 22,233-246
Lowinson, H., Ruiz, P., Robert, B., Langrod, G.(2005). Substance Abuse: A Comprehensive Textbook (4th ed.). Philadelphia: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.
Stanton,M.(2004) “Getting Reluctant Substance Abusers to Engage in Treatment/Self-help: A Review of Outcomes and Clinical Options” Journal of Marital and Family Therapy 30(2), 165-182
To export a reference to this article please select a referencing stye below:
My Assignment Help. (2018). Interventions For Long Term Drug Abusers: Social Life. Retrieved from https://myassignmenthelp.com/free-samples/interventions-for-long-term-drug-abusers-social-life.
"Interventions For Long Term Drug Abusers: Social Life." My Assignment Help, 2018, https://myassignmenthelp.com/free-samples/interventions-for-long-term-drug-abusers-social-life.
My Assignment Help (2018) Interventions For Long Term Drug Abusers: Social Life [Online]. Available from: https://myassignmenthelp.com/free-samples/interventions-for-long-term-drug-abusers-social-life
[Accessed 22 January 2021].
My Assignment Help. 'Interventions For Long Term Drug Abusers: Social Life' (My Assignment Help, 2018) <https://myassignmenthelp.com/free-samples/interventions-for-long-term-drug-abusers-social-life> accessed 22 January 2021.
My Assignment Help. Interventions For Long Term Drug Abusers: Social Life [Internet]. My Assignment Help. 2018 [cited 22 January 2021]. Available from: https://myassignmenthelp.com/free-samples/interventions-for-long-term-drug-abusers-social-life.
MyAssignmenthelp.com has appointed best assignment experts who are wizards of words. Our writers know every trick of crafting high quality write-ups within a short period. With years of experiences, we have become one of the most prolific assignment help services in the USA. We deliver custom-made help to students with writing different types of assignments. We guarantee total need-based and timely service, and this is why increasing numbers of students prefer to buy assignment online.
Question: Does Life In Australia Currently Offer Its Citizens The Opportunity To Have A ‘Fair Go’? Answer: Introduction Australia, one such continent which used to offer a ‘fair go’ to all its citizens but unfortunately the recent scenario is not the same. As late as in 1967, the then prime minister of Australia Harold Holt could proudly state that there was no other country as this, wherein the entire incom...
Read MoreQuestion: Discuss about the Conceptual Framework Format and Standards. Answer: Introduction: Coca Cola is considered as one of the largest companies in non-alcoholic ready-to-drink beverages industry in the Asia-Pacific region. This company is operating in 6 countries majorly which includes Australia, Indonesia, New Zealand, Fiji, Papua New Guinea and Samoa. This company is offering a great range of product which extends fr...
Read MoreQuestions: 1) Identify Career Counselling Theories and How these Theories might be useful in Explaining john's Situation. 2) As the Attending Career Counsellor, Describe your Ethical and Professional Responsibilities to John throughout the Sessions. 3) Identify the Purpose of Objective Assessments and how that has Contributed to your Assessment of the Situation. 4) The Considerations on how Objective testing should be conducted i.e. before, duri...
Read MoreQuestion: Write about the Ethics and Corporate Social Responsibility for Case of Coca-Cola. Answer: Introduction The aim of this report is to understand the concepts of corporate social responsibility, sustainable development, ethical values and ethical business operations. The report will highlight the case of Coca-Cola and its unethical business practices which made the company highly criticized for its business operati...
Read MoreQuestion: Write about the Language and Literacy for Youngsters Discourse. Answer: The kinds of discourses that I usually participate in are Literature Discourse, Coffee Shop Discourse, Youngsters Discourse and Family Discourse. In the literature Discourse that I belong to, there are some specific languages that are being used. For example, we use literary words like “poetic”, “prosaic” and &ld...
Read MoreJust share requirement and get customized Solution.
Orders
Overall Rating
Experts
Our writers make sure that all orders are submitted, prior to the deadline.
Using reliable plagiarism detection software, Turnitin.com.We only provide customized 100 percent original papers.
Feel free to contact our assignment writing services any time via phone, email or live chat. If you are unable to calculate word count online, ask our customer executives.
Our writers can provide you professional writing assistance on any subject at any level.
Our best price guarantee ensures that the features we offer cannot be matched by any of the competitors.
Get all your documents checked for plagiarism or duplicacy with us.
Get different kinds of essays typed in minutes with clicks.
Calculate your semester grades and cumulative GPa with our GPA Calculator.
Balance any chemical equation in minutes just by entering the formula.
Calculate the number of words and number of pages of all your academic documents.
Our Mission Client Satisfaction
I had issues with my assignment and on top of that I have other commitments that hinders me from completing my assignment, therefore I engaged myassignmenthelp 2 days shy of the due date and I am impressed with the results that I obtained. Therefore,...
Australia
Thank you for reworking this order, the outcome is much better than the first produced and i look forward continue working with you.
Australia
the assignment was up to the mark. the team have done a great job. There should be more discount for loyal customers.
Australia
was on time for my assignment due, it was clear and straight to the point, it had enough detail to know what was happening and which question was being answered
Australia