An intervention is a chance for friends, family and other loved ones to confront an individual about their drug use.   The goals of a drug intervention are simple:  communicate to the individual how their drug addiction has impacted the lives of those closet to them, and get them into a drug rehab program as soon as possible.

When the subject of an intervention is a teenager, however, things can get complicated.   Teen drug addicts are notoriously defiant – and will fight back against any perceived threat.   This is an especially volatile as teens will see a room full of people – all focused on them – and immediately turn to a “fight or flight” response.

Yet a teen drug intervention is one of the most important things a family member can do for their child.   Teen drug addiction is so damaging because it impacts every aspect of a young person’s life at a time when they are going through a number of significant physical and psychological development issues.  Simply put, drug addiction can greatly hamper this development.

Working with a Professional during a Teen Drug Intervention

The first step for parents considering a teen drug intervention for their child should be to contact a professional interventionist.   An interventionist is an individual who assists in the process and makes sure everything goes smoothly.   Among the important elements a teen drug interventionist brings to the table are:

• Getting organized.   Helping everyone involved in the intervention better understand their role – and plotting out a basic agenda for the meeting.
• Keeping things positive.   When a family is involved, an intervention can quickly deteriorate into a passionate confrontation.   The interventionist helps remind everyone involved that they need to stay positive and productive if they are going to help get the teen into treatment.
• Keeping things safe.   The interventionist also helps maintain a high level of personal safety throughout the meeting.   Things can often get heated during a drug intervention, and the interventionist makes sure that cooler heads always prevail.

The Importance of Teen Drug Interventions

Teen drug addiction is a serious problem.   At that age, teens create a “perfect storm” of rebelliousness and the desire to experiment and push the boundaries.    A teen drug intervention not only lets the teen know that their actions are impacting others, but is also a kind of “white flag” that tells the young person how much they are loved.   It may take a couple of tries, but the hope is the intervention will make the young person more aware of what is at stake – and how they can enjoy a fresh new start – with limitless possibilities – if they enter into a teen drug rehab program.