Do you have a loved one who is addicted to drugs and lives in Singapore? Staging a drug abuse intervention may be the best opportunity you have for them to get clean and stop causing harm to themselves. But in Singapore, having an intervention for the person you care about is often not so easy.

In this blog, we look at everything you need to know about staging an intervention. For professional help with interventions in Singapore, contact The Cabin today at +65 3158 7621.

How to Stage a Drug Abuse Intervention

Don’t just jump into your drug abuse intervention. Interventions take careful planning to be successful. Here are the steps you should take to maximize your chance of success.

Select a Team For Your Intervention

The most important part of any intervention is choosing the right people. You should select a small group of close family members and friends who have a meaningful relationship with the addicted person. These people should be committed to the intervention and understand how crucial this intervention is.

If these people do not live in Singapore, make sure you contact them in plenty of time before the intervention, so they can make travel arrangements.

Educate Your Intervention Team

Ensure everyone understands the nature of addiction and the specific circumstances surrounding the addicted person’s drug abuse. This may involve reading relevant literature or consulting with addiction specialists.

Plan the Intervention

Choose a neutral, private, and comfortable location for the intervention. Set a date and time when the addicted person is likely to be sober. If this person is never sober, pick a time when they are likely to be less intoxicated.

Prepare Statements

Each team member should prepare a statement expressing their concerns, the impact of the addiction on their lives, and their love and support for the addicted person. Focus on specific behaviours and their consequences rather than general accusations.

Develop a Plan

Outline the treatment options available, including rehabilitation centres, counselling services, and support groups in Singapore. Have a clear plan in place for immediate action if the addict agrees to seek help.
If some of the centres you are considering are outside of Singapore, you should have someone on standby who is willing to fly with the addicted person, if you feel like this is necessary.

Hire a Drug Abuse Interventionist

Consider hiring a professional interventionist, especially if the situation is particularly severe or if there is a risk of violence. An interventionist can guide the process, mediate the discussion, and provide expertise on addiction treatment.

Conduct the Intervention

Remember to approach the intervention with a calm, compassionate, and non-judgmental attitude. Stick to the prepared statements and avoid confrontational or accusatory language.

You should emphasize the love and concern everyone has for the addict. Make it clear that the intervention is coming from a place of care and a desire to help them improve their life.

Clearly outline the treatment options and the steps that can be taken immediately. Make it clear that help is readily available and that the intervention team is willing to support the addict through the process.

If the addict refuses to seek help, be prepared to set and enforce boundaries. Explain the consequences of continuing their current behaviour, such as withdrawal of financial support or changes in living arrangements.

Follow Up and Support

If the addict agrees to seek help, facilitate the transition to treatment as quickly as possible. This might involve arranging transportation to a rehab centre or scheduling appointments with counsellors.

You should continue to provide emotional support and encouragement throughout the treatment process. Stay involved in their recovery journey and attend family therapy or support group meetings if appropriate.

Make sure to work with treatment providers to develop an aftercare plan that includes ongoing therapy, support groups, and strategies for maintaining sobriety. Simultaneously ensure the addict has a network of support to rely on after the initial treatment phase.

Why is it so Difficult to Convince a Drug Addict to Get Treatment?

If you have a loved one who has been using drugs for many years, you are likely to be frustrated over how they refuse to get drug addiction treatment, no matter how bad it gets. This can seem confusing to people who have not experienced addiction themselves.

Fear of Withdrawal Symptoms

When someone has used certain drugs consistently for a long period of time, they will face withdrawals when they stop using. The most severe withdrawals often come from opioids such as heroin and Oxycodone and from benzodiazepines like Xanax and Valium. The withdrawals from benzos can also prove fatal.

And while withdrawal from stimulants such as cocaine or methamphetamine is in some ways less severe, it is still common for users to go through Post Acute Withdrawals Symptoms (PAWS), which can last for months after starting recovery, and frequently cause former users to relapse.

The collection of symptoms that come with acute withdrawal and PAWS can be severe enough to prevent users from getting help for years.

Mental Cravings

Addiction rewires the brain so users crave drugs. These cravings can become so severe that the addict no longer has agency over their actions. They intend to stop using, but as some cravings appear again they take steps to use again.

Denial and Lack of Insight

Addicts often deny the severity of their problem and convince themselves they can control their usage or that it isn’t affecting them negatively, even though there is overwhelming evidence to the contrary.

It is common for addicts to not fully understand the impact of their addiction on their own lives and the lives of those around them. This is due to a few different reasons:

• Changes in the prefrontal cortex. Chronic drug use alters the brain’s ability for decision-making, judgment and self-awareness. This makes it harder for people with drug addiction to realize how severe their situation is.
• Emotional avoidance. Addicts (often unwittingly) use drugs to cope with underlying emotional pain, trauma, or mental health issues. Acknowledging their addiction would mean they would have to confront these painful emotions, which can be daunting and overwhelming.

Fear of Change

The prospect of life without drugs can be daunting. Addicts might fear the changes in lifestyle, relationships, and identity that sobriety would bring. This fear can be exacerbated if previous attempts to quit ended in relapse, as this can lead to a fear of failure, causing your addicted person to doubt their ability to succeed in getting clean.

Social and Environmental Influences

If an addict’s social circle includes others who use drugs, there can be significant pressure to continue using. This is why it is important for the addicted person to distance themselves from the people they were using when they go to treatment.

Mental Health Issues

Many people with addiction problems suffer from co-occurring mental health disorders such as depression, anxiety, or PTSD. These disorders can complicate the recovery process and make the person more resistant to getting clean without addressing both issues simultaneously.
At The Cabin, we understand the importance of treating both the addiction problem and any underlying mental health problems. Treating both of these simultaneously optimizes long-term treatment outcomes.

The Cabin for Drug Abuse Intervention in Singapore

Intervention planning can be incredibly stressful, and the actual event is often a difficult affair. Frequently, the addicted person does not want to listen to reason.

The Cabin can provide you with the support you need to plan the intervention for success. We can also provide you with a professional interventionist who will oversee the intervention, making sure things go to plan.

And after your loved one has agreed to get treatment, we offer addiction treatment services both on an outpatient basis at our addiction treatment centre in Singapore, and at our inpatient centre in Chiang Mai, Thailand. Our staff can travel with the addicted person from Singapore, to make sure they arrive in Chiang Mai safely.

For more information on staging your drug abuse intervention or on addiction treatment for the person you care about, contact us today at +65 3158 7621. We look forward to receiving your call.