For people who are abusing drugs or alcohol, but whose use has not yet progressed to the level of dependency or addiction, sometimes a brief and casual intervention can influence a substantial change in behaviors. This brief intervention, run by a doctor or other trusted figure of authority, educates as to the dangers and reveals a level of concern; and amazingly, this brief and minimally disruptive form of intervention works more often than not.
The longer abuse is allowed to continue, the more difficult and comprehensive the ultimate treatment needs be.
Once an alcohol or drug abuser has achieved a level of dependency, there are unfortunately few easy paths to abstinence, and better living will almost always require professional help and a determined and life changing commitment to sobriety; but when abuse has not yet become addiction, there is a narrow window of time in which a very minimally intensive and very brief intervention can offer great assistance.
What is a brief intervention?
A brief intervention is simply an informal meeting between a person abusing (but not yet addicted to alcohol or drugs) with a person of authority, ideally known and respected by the abuser.
A family doctor, a trusted therapist, or other known and respected professional can do a lot. The meeting is simply a brief expression of concern over the level of abuse and a session of education as to the dangers of continuing abuse. Normally, some reading materials are included for later perusal, and the doctor or counselor will follow up by email in the days and weeks to follow.
It's so simple, but studies show that these types of meetings can have a powerful impact; and for a lot of people, this brief meeting and expression of concern is enough to influence a change of behaviors, and a reduction in use and abuse.
Don't wait
It won’t work for everyone, but it helps enough people to make it well worthwhile, and it's much easier than waiting for abuse to proceed to addiction, and at that point necessitate far more intensive and disruptive therapies for betterment of the problem.
If you know of someone abusing drugs or alcohol, and seemingly at risk for addiction, but not yet addicted; you should arrange for a brief intervention. It may not work, but if it does, it's the easiest possible way to better the situation.
Sometimes a brief intervention from a family member or concerned friend can be enough to influence change, but studies show that when a more authoritative figure, ideally known and trusted, delivers the intervention, the results are better.
We always hesitate to get involved, and watch as spectators as use becomes abuse, and abuse becomes addiction. It goes against our better natures to interfere in the personal business of another, but when the stakes are so high and the pains of addiction loom, acting out of concern and compassion and getting involved is always the right thing to do.
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