If your teen is struggling with substance abuse, they might have difficulty admitting they need help. Staging an intervention can be one way to show your child that they have support they need from family and friends. It might even encourage them to get the treatment they require to overcome their addiction and deal with any underlying concerns that are driving their unhealthy coping mechanisms.
Are you wondering when is the right time to stage an intervention? Wondering what signs and symptoms you should be looking for? Read on today to get advice from the expert clinicians at Ascend Healthcare.
4 Signs That It’s Time For An Intervention
There are a number of behaviors that indicate your child may be struggling with substance abuse. Whether it’s alcohol use disorder or marijuana abuse, here are four signs that it could be time for an intervention:
- Changes in Behavior
- Health Problems
- Issues at School
- Aggression or Irritability
Changes in Behavior
If your teen has lost interest in activities they once enjoyed, is spending time with new friends you haven’t met, or is isolating from loved ones, it could be time to stage an intervention. Hiding their behavior from you or lying about their habits and whereabouts could signal a cause for concern. While many teens go through tough transition phases that may affect their behavior, all of these signs when taken together point towards serious issues.
Health Problems
Drug or alcohol abuse is often accompanied by health problems. Your teen might struggle with withdrawal symptoms when they cannot access these substances or experience side effects from prolonged use. Withdrawal symptoms could include nausea, insomnia, headaches, abrupt weight loss or gain, breathing problems, or even seizures.
Issues in School
Having issues in school is definitely a sign that it’s time to stage an intervention. While this isn’t always the signal of substance abuse, it can point to other traumas that need discussing. If their grades are dropping or you’ve been notified that they’re getting into fights, an open discussion can clue you in on what’s going on. Find out if it’s drugs and drinking or something else that’s bothering them and causing them to act out. It’s not unusual for children struggling with anxiety, ADHD, or depression to have issues in school and turn to drugs when they don’t get the support they need from teachers and parents.
Aggression & Irritability
If you notice your teen becomes unreasonably angry or defensive when you ask them about where they’ve been or how they’ve been spending their time, they could be hiding a substance abuse issue. Be gentle and open with your questions and make it clear you’re not blaming them, you’re simply worried.
When to Stage an Intervention
Staging an intervention when you and your family are not ready can be detrimental to your attempts to get help for your loved one. Before staging an intervention, there are a few things to prepare including:
- Preparing what you want to say ahead of time
- Reaching out to a treatment program beforehand for guidance
- Ensuring your loved one is sober when you start the intervention
- Holding the intervention in an environment where your loved one feels safe
It’s not necessary to wait until your child reaches rock bottom to hold an intervention. Letting your teen know that you are concerned and that you want to support them during treatment can help motivate them to change.
Interventions & Ascend Healthcare
Ascend Healthcare offers residential treatment programs for substance abuse and mental health issues once you and your child are ready to get help. When it comes to interventions, if you think it’s time for an intervention for your teen, our team can help with a referral to an interventionist — a qualified treatment professional who can help you convince your child that it’s time to consider treatment. Find resources for professionals online or reach out to our team today for more guidance.
