Need a way to advise a loved one struggling with addiction?

It takes courage and dedication to face someone whose addictive behaviors have caused you pain or concern.

An intervention letter may be a great way to get your message across.

This article highlights five tips that will help you write an intervention letter to your loved one to help them with whatever harmful behaviors or activities they may be addicted to.

The seconds leading up to an intervention are full of doubt.

It’s impossible to know how your loved one would respond.

When feelings run high, it becomes impossible to come up with the best things to speak.

Most therapy experts consider writing a letter to read aloud at the therapy session or intervention to keep it on track and ensure everyone’s message is understood.

Intervention letters are a valuable tool to make addict sufferers understand how their behaviors affect the people they care most for.

An intervention letter will also serve as a guide to keep you from feeling upset while you’re trying to chat.

There is no correct way to write  an intervention letter, but before you start writing, it’s good to have some direction in mind.

Try to put yourself in your loved one’s shoes when brainstorming.

While you may have been upset by their actions, it is important to note they are still suffering.

Sharing your emotions, both positive and negative, is perfectly acceptable as long as they are presented in a non-confrontational manner.

Seek to share the letter with those who join in the action.

A second pair of eyes may detect words or phrases that could be read as angry or accusatory.

Things to Consider When Writing an Intervention Letter

1. Begin with a statement of compassion.

Consider the relationship you had with your loved one and the moments they had been there for you before their addiction.

“Dad, I know that you really love me, and you are really proud of me. If it weren’t for you, I‘d not be where I am or get what I do. You taught me that before I rely on anyone else to do this for me, I need to learn how to take care of myself. You helped me in my professional ambitions and supported me. This gave me the confidence that I wanted to take on my own work roles in the Midwest.”

2. Outline a specific example of their substance abuse and how it affected you.

It’s important to know how your loved one feels about their acts.

“Dad, your drinking has been a chronic part of our lives. We have not come over here immediately. Your time is running out. When it is so late in the evening, when I call home to check-in, you’re intoxicated. You get on the phone, and there’s a slurred voice. You don’t even mention our discussions when we speak later in the week. You‘re sometimes dead, so we can’t talk at all.”

Use clear, tangible descriptions of the drug abuse your loved one serves to open your mind to the truth of your addiction. Ignore words that might make your loved one feel threatened.

3. Show that you’ve taken the time to understand their addiction.

Let them know that their abuse is a disorder you recognize and acknowledge is not their fault, but that it is time to let them know how important care is.

“…It took me some time to think about chemical dependence and I discovered that this is a disease that requires medical treatment. This is not about your stamina. It’s a case of seeking medical treatment with a particular disorder.”

When you educate yourself about the issue of drug dependence in your loved one, you can be more comfortable about convincing them that recovery is the most successful form of healing.

4. Repeat your love and concern and ask them to accept help.

Bring it all together when explaining the care and healing services to your loved one.

“I respect you and I don’t want to see alcoholism draining away life from you. We‘re all here together, and we want support from you. We are here to assist. Would you want to consider our support today? Love, Tina, Your Friend”

Once you have completed reading your message, continue educating your loved one about the current care services, as well as the potential repercussions if they fail to seek assistance.

5. Clearly define the consequences if treatment is refused

It is imperative to layout your own personal set of consequences and boundaries if your loved one refuses to accept treatment. An example could be, “If you do not get help for your addiction, I will not continue to give you money for your rent.”

Writing an intervention letter isn’t always easy, but if you strive to achieve these five things in your letter, your loved one may be more inclined to listen, and the addiction intervention may be more successful.

Some other tips include:

• Begin the letter with a heartfelt statement full of the love and concern that one truly feels. 
• Communicate gratitude to the person. For instance, if the loved one is a parent, share a memory about when they did something loving, like going to a school play. 
• Think about including a statement that reflects your understanding that substance abuse is a disease. By putting the issue into a medical context, the loved one may feel less guilty. This individual likely feels powerless in the face of the addiction, which is not a moral failing, though the person may feel this way at times. 
• Addiction can make a great person do not such great things. But you can convey that you know the difference between who the person is and how addiction may compel them to behave. Express that you are mindful of the difference between who the individual is and how addiction could force them to behave.
• Include points of fact about the actions of the loved one while on drugs. Providing multiple examples is a smart idea.
• Remind the individual of your feelings and worries. And mention that the community gives them care at the recovery facility.
• Tell the loved one to consent to the care request.

A Life-Saving Message

The letter you read aloud to your loved one during the intervention could be the most important thing you ever write.

Many people who have successfully emerged from addiction would say their tipping point was the day their families and friends heard what they wanted to say.

When a loved one understands all the ones they care for have been affected by their abuse, the next step is to find the best medication that fits their needs.

Everybody needs a second chance, and healing is the only way to restore your health and joy at North Jersey Recovery Center.

Insurance Verification

We believe that each of our clients deserves the best treatment possible.

To ensure that our clients get the best treatments, we craft a custom plan for each client.

We accept PPO payments as well as other private forms of payments for treatment.

Our personnel will communicate with all of the relevant insurance providers on your behalf to ensure that you or your loved one get the treatment you need.

Contact Us

Feel free to contact us for any questions or inquiries that you may have about our services.

We believe that everyone deserves an opportunity to heal fully, and this is what we offer at North Jersey Recovery Center.