When your loved one has an addiction, it can be difficult to know what to say or do.

You want to do what is best for them, but you may not know what that is. Instead, you may feel like you are walking on eggshells, but if you do that, nothing is likely going to change. If you want to get your loved one into a drug detox center, you need to take the right action. Especially if you decide to stage an intervention, you need to know what to say at the drug intervention so that it can be a success.

The Best Things to Say During an Intervention

Your goal for an intervention is likely to get your loved one into residential addiction treatment or another program so they will quit. Although you want to help your loved one, an intervention can also be beneficial and cathartic for those who participate as well. Both goals can be met so long as you know what to say during an intervention and you stick to it.

If you want the intervention to be successful, focus on:

• Reminding your loved one that you love them and they are valuable
• Speaking calmly and rationally
• Following a pre-written script
• Recounting your experiences from their addiction
• Telling your loved one why you are worried about them
• Explaining that addiction is a disease, but addiction treatment works
• Outlining treatment options that you have already looked into
• Setting consequences if they decide not to get treatment
• Offering your support in their recovery

Things Not to Say at an Intervention

Along with the best things to say at an intervention, there are plenty that shouldn’t be said at an intervention. If you are partaking in a substance abuse intervention for your loved one, here are some things to avoid.

• Accusing the addict
• Pointing out their mistakes or failures
• Speaking out of your emotions
• Name-calling or swearing
• Rationalizing their problems
• Accepting excuses
• Using all “you” statements instead of “I” statements
• Negotiating treatment
• Lessening the fact that addiction is a disease
• Focusing only on the problems and not solutions

Unfortunately, not everyone may know what to say during an intervention, and even if they do, it doesn’t mean it will go well. Many people can get carried away by their emotions and say something they shouldn’t. This could derail the entire intervention and end up making matters worse. The best way to keep this from happening is to have a professional lead the intervention. A Treasure Coast drug intervention specialist could help keep the meeting on track and ensure that everyone says the right thing.

At Banyan Detox Stuart, we help addicts and their loved ones move on with their lives. If you or someone you care about has a substance abuse disorder, get help. Call us today at 888-280-4763.