How the Intervention Process Works: What to Expect at Each Stage

There are various reasons why someone who is suffering from substance use disorder (SUD) may refrain from seeking professional help.

Among such barriers are financial limitations, due to the lack or high cost of insurance, location constraints, with most treatment centers concentrated in urban areas, and the stigma surrounding addiction treatment.

Others may be concerned about their information remaining private or worry about losing their job. Some may be scared of what their friends and family members would think or whether they can actually recover.

That said, there are reliable addiction treatment providers that care about your privacy and offer humane, effective, and evidence-based services.

If you share any one of these fears, remember that addiction, like many chronic diseases, can happen to anyone. But it’s treatable and manageable with expert help and intervention.

To help ease some of your worries, here’s an in-depth look at what happens in a professional addiction intervention. Learn the admission process, types of services, and available SUD treatment programs.

Admission Procedure Before Drug and Alcohol Rehab

Attempting to overcome addiction alone carries significant risks. Without medical supervision, the physical and psychological symptoms of withdrawing from drinking or using increase the likelihood of serious health issues and relapse.

Seeking professional SUD treatment is the best step toward lifelong sobriety.

Work with your family and close friends to make an intervention plan. Seek out expert opinion during planning, such as a healthcare professional, a licensed counselor, an intervention specialist, or a social worker.

Having a safe and supportive environment will make the recovery journey less stressful and easier to navigate.

Once you’re committed to addressing your or a loved one’s addiction (with their consent), the next step is to choose the right treatment center.

Find out the type of addiction they can accommodate, the levels of care available, whether they offer services for co-occurring disorders, and the insurance policies they accept. A robust aftercare program is also an important factor you want to prioritize.

The admission process in most rehab facilities is straightforward.

After making the call on your or a family member’s behalf, an admissions team member will walk you through the enrollment procedure. They’ll help you understand your treatment options, as well as verify your insurance.

Depending on the rehab center, you may be required to undergo interviews and pre-entry assessments as part of the intake process.

Trained professional interventionists will collect vital information about your situation, such as the type of drugs, the severity of drug abuse, related medical history, and any co-occurring disorders.

Honesty is essential during assessment, as the intervention team will use it to develop an integrated, holistic, and personalized treatment plan that addresses the unique patient needs.

What Treatment Services Are Offered During Rehab?

The treatment services offered during rehab are carefully tailored to provide those who struggle with SUD the best fighting chance to make a positive change in their lives and those of their families.

When you enter rehab, the goal is to resolve the root cause of substance abuse, build healthier routines, learn coping strategies, and prepare for the lifelong journey of recovery.

Based on your situation, some of the treatment options you’ll be offered can include one or a combination of the following.

Detox Therapy

Detox therapy ensures withdrawal is safely managed under the supervision of medical professionals, alongside round-the-clock support in a secure treatment facility.

Detoxification is the process of ridding the body of an illicit drug or alcohol. However, stopping drinking or using after heavy use can come with a range of physical and psychological reactions, called withdrawal syndrome.

The effects of withdrawal can range from mild to life-threatening, depending on the type of substance you’re taking, the duration of abuse, and your overall health. Here are some examples:

• Difficulty sleeping
• Appetite changes
• Restlessness
• Fatigue
• Irritability
• Mood swings
• Depression
• Anxiety
• Persistent headache
• Body aches
• Nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea
• Tremors and shaking
• Sweating
• Fever
• Mental health issues
• Problems concentrating

Serious cases of drug addiction withdrawal can result in serious health complications, such as psychosis, confusion, seizures, and disorientation. Delirium tremens is a deadly condition from alcohol withdrawal.

How long these uncomfortable symptoms last will depend on factors like the kind of drugs and your physical well-being.

Certain substances, like benzodiazepines, should be tapered off gradually and not abruptly, requiring a longer timetable. Alcohol, on the other hand, may stabilize within a week of abstinence.

In most cases, withdrawal syndrome can last for weeks or months.

Detox therapy, however, is only the initial part of the treatment process, and is followed by a blend of medication and therapeutic intervention.

Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT)

Some types of SUDs may need medication to help with their symptoms. This is what’s called a medication-assisted treatment.

Studies have shown that, when combined with other evidence-based interventions, MAT can increase survival rates, boost long-term treatment retention, and lower opioid-related criminal tendencies.

People who receive treatment combining MAT and other methods are also found to fare better after rehab, improving their ability to find a job and retain their employment.

There are various medications healthcare providers can prescribe to deal with certain symptoms of SUD. For severe alcohol use disorder (AUD), they may recommend:

• Benzodiazepine: Long-acting benzos are a go-to medication for alcohol withdrawal syndrome. Benzodiazepines are a type of central nervous system (CNS) depressant. They replace alcohol in the patient’s system and help mitigate withdrawal.
• Disulfiram: Unlike benzos that replace alcohol, disulfiram aids in AUD recovery by producing unpleasant effects whenever the person drinks. Headache, chest pain, nausea, vomiting, and vertigo are examples of disulfiram reactions.
• Acamprosate: A psychotropic drug, acamprosate can be invaluable in overcoming alcohol dependence. Unlike disulfiram, this prescription alleviates cravings and other discomfort the patient might experience while abstaining.

An opiate withdrawal is usually milder and less severe than that of alcohol. For opioid addiction, a recovering patient may receive the following medication:

• Methadone: Methadone is a synthetic opioid used in SUD treatment. When someone who is addicted or dependent on an opioid takes methadone at a controlled dose, it relieves cravings and other withdrawal effects.
• Naltrexone: Used in both alcohol and opioid addiction treatment, naltrexone acts by minimizing the effects of opiates in the brain. It’s an opioid receptor antagonist, which blocks the sedating and euphoric effects of heroin, oxycodone, and morphine.
• Buprenorphine: Buprenorphine is a partial opioid antagonist. Apart from minimizing cravings, the medication also produces a “ceiling effect.” That means it induces a weaker euphoria, making it useful in tapering methods.

Combined with counseling and therapy, medication-assisted therapy produces better recovery outcomes than when either is employed alone.

Behavioral Therapy

Identifying the root causes of drug or alcohol addiction is vital in resolving this chronic mental illness. Determining and resolving unhealthy behaviors, patterns, and triggers are also crucial in preparing for long-term sobriety.

For SUD, healthcare experts and psychiatrists can use various therapeutic methods, such as counseling and talk therapies. Therapy sessions in a rehab facility can use different techniques, such as the following:

• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT): CBT focuses on maladaptive behaviors like substance misuse and is shown to work well with SUD treatment. Patients are taught to name, challenge, and correct negative thoughts and beliefs. The goal is to adopt a healthier mindset that doesn’t rely on drugs or alcohol.
• Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT): A variant of CBT, DBT emphasizes mindfulness and awareness exercises to manage emotions and reduce self-harming actions. The therapist will equip the individual to face and manage the complex feelings their drug use brings to the table.
• Contingency Management (CM): CM employs the classic positive reinforcement to encourage individuals make positive changes in their everyday lives. An interventionist can use tangible prizes to mark milestones and achievements. Sobriety tokens are an example of contingency management techniques.
• 12-Step Facilitation Therapy: Based on the strategies of 12-step support groups like Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) and Narcotics Anonymous (NA), this method highlights the importance of acceptance, surrender, and personal accountability.
• Motivational Enhancement (ME): Recovering from chronic addiction takes time and real commitment. Motivational enhancement therapy helps people to follow through with their treatment plans. It sometimes employs motivational interviewing to boost engagement and motivation.

Group therapy is another common way rehab centers provide a structured and supportive environment for those trying to overcome SUD. By connecting them with peers, group therapy reduces feelings of shame and isolation.

Family Therapy

While often considered a personal battle, addiction affects not just the person but also their family in many ways. These effects can be short-term or long-term.

One of the key impacts of SUD is how it breaks trust and communication between family members.

As drug misuse escalates, the hiding, secrecy, and broken promises that so often accompany it erode the bond between couples, siblings, parents, and children. Unfortunately, this can make them reluctant to engage in treatment efforts.

A growing body of research shows that involving loved ones and friends during intervention makes it more likely to succeed and last longer. Patients with supportive families are more motivated and are less likely to relapse.

Broken relationships and dysfunctional family roles, on the other hand, can impact treatment negatively.

Family therapy or counseling recognizes this and is a crucial component of many holistic and personalized SUD care plans. And it can take on different forms, depending on the person’s unique situation.

Behavioral couples therapy (BCT) is a popular approach for married people with one or both of the couple suffering from substance use disorder.

Family behavioral therapy (FBT) is another model that aims to teach valuable skills and help families establish a healthier and supportive environment for the patient, without relying on toxic role-playing.

Types of Treatment Programs For Drug and Alcohol Addiction

Knowing the available SUD treatment programs may help you make informed decisions about your choice of intervention and provider. Different levels of care can vary in intensity, quality, and the amount of time involved.

• Intensive Inpatient: Intensive inpatient is a short-term medical support for those who have developed a strong dependence on a specific substance. It provides 24/7 support and therapeutic care.
• Residential Treatment: During residential treatment, patients will live in a facility away from their home and work to detox and avoid triggers. Most residential treatments last anywhere from one to a few months.
• Partial Hospitalization (PHP): Also called day treatment, PHP involves attending several hours of SUD recovery support, often five times a week. Patients don’t have to stay in the rehab center overnight.
• Intensive Outpatient (IOP): IOPs are a step-down from PHP, in that they require fewer hours of treatment. In many cases, the individual can schedule their visiting times and continue working or studying.

Follow-Up Services After Rehabilitation

To some, recovery from addiction takes a long time, even after rehab is over. A reliable SUD treatment facility arranges ongoing aftercare services to accommodate this need.

Follow-up plans must consider potential future challenges that could hinder someone’s sobriety. This makes transitioning back to everyday life easier and more manageable.

Family and friends are also invited to support the post-rehab efforts.

There are various aftercare services you can opt for, such as switching from an outpatient program after completing an intensive inpatient plan.

A rehab facility may offer support groups, continuous counseling and therapy, sober living homes, and other alumni initiatives.

Bottom Line: Finding Reliable SUD Treatment Services

Don’t let fear and uncertainties hold you back from seeking reliable SUD treatment. Understanding how the intervention services work can help ease the anxiety and give you confidence to take a step closer to sobriety.

Reach out to Long Island Interventions, and find out how we can help you overcome drug and alcohol addiction in a way that suits you!