Finding the Right Interventionist

An interventionist plays a key role in the health of a family that’s been touched by addiction. These are the professionals who can help families to make sense of how an addiction develops and what sorts of help the loved one might need in order to recover. Since they do play such an important role, it’s vital for families to take their time during the selection process and really look for the person who will be most likely to provide the right kind of help.

Pulling Together a Short List

There are a number of interventionists at work today, and many of them promote their expertise online. They might have flashy websites that outline their experience and education, and they might sign up for directory sites, so their names will be a little easier to find. Some families simply browse, and they pull together a list of interventionists to interview after that search.

Other families ask treatment centers for advice about interventionists to use. According to an article in Addiction Professional, it’s not uncommon for interventionists to form tight partnerships with addiction treatment programs, and when they do, they might refer each family to that treatment program for care. The practice can be a little controversial, especially if interventionists refer clients to a facility that doesn’t really provide the right kind of help, but families that may have already chosen a treatment facility might not have any difficulty with using the interventionist the facility suggests.

Testimonials from friends, family members and participants in online forums might also be a good source of information for families to consider. Interventionists who do good work might have a very vocal fan base that’s eager to discuss the process at length, and that might allow the family to get a sense of what working with that person is like and how enjoyable it might be.

Background and Education

Once families have a short list of professionals they’re interested in hiring, they can begin to dig deep and understand how the person works and what sorts of talents they might bring to the table. Finding out more about the person’s education and ethics could be vital.

Some people delve into the field of intervention after overcoming their own battles with addiction. People like this may be quite effective in a discussion about addiction, as they have their own stories of strife to share, but a truly skilled intervention has much more than simple life experiences. Skilled interventionists also have an education about addiction, and they have clinical experience that allows them to guide a family without causing more trouble. Families can ask interventionists about their clinical backgrounds, or they can look for certification.

Someone who holds a BRI-I status from the Association of Intervention Specialists, for example, has:

  • At least two years of experience in conducting interventions
  • At least three evaluations by peers
  • Agreed to perform five hours of continuing education each year
  • Completed at least 14 hours of training on interventions
  • Passed a written or oral exam (in some cases)

If you’d like to find out more about what you’ll need to look for in an interventionist or you’re interested in hearing a few recommendations about interventionists who might help your family, please call us at 706-909-9811. We’d love to help.

The Role of Support Groups in Recovery

Addiction often leads to a lonely lifestyle with cycles of difficult interactions and emotions. Substance abuse and dependence often leads to isolation, and resulting mood and health changes often stretch addicted individuals to the brink of their coping skills. Life with a looming presences of addiction is not usually a pleasant one.

However, the road back from the abyss does not have to be bleak at all. There are people who want to help and support each other through recovery in every city and town in the world. Support groups can be a huge asset to anyone who wants a better life.

Support groups can be made up of people who see the same therapy team, who share 12-Step goals, or who want to reach similar milestones. Support groups offer a ready system of encouragement, help, and accountability. Whatever the addiction and whatever the condition, support groups play a fundamental role in recovery for you or your loved one.

What Makes a Support Group?

Most substance-use support groups consist of people who share similar experiences and perspectives. Members of groups may have a common goal or are mutually on the path of rehabilitation after a substance abuse problem.

Most support groups come in one of two forms. The first type is a group therapy session put together by a psychotherapist. These groups tend to be conducted with a definite treatment plan in mind, and all attendees of the group are usually at similar points in their recovery plans. Groups that are put together by a counselor may also be known as group counseling or group psychotherapy.

Other support groups are peer-led. These groups are usually held in a more casual and informal setting, where members (on varying places of the recovery spectrum) share their individual stories for the benefit of other attendees. Attendance is voluntary, as is leadership.

Why Do Support Groups Matter?

Isolation is a problem that only contributes to addictive and harmful substances. Support groups are important because they let each participant know that they do not have to be disconnected from other people. They also offer a network of advice, assistance, and skill-building activities.

Members of support groups will not be judged for their choices or actions, because the other people in the support group have committed to non-judgment and may have similar life experiences. New group members can look to other participants who have been able to make successful changes. The experience of others can aid in future goals.

The exchange of information in support groups may also open new doors for coping strategies. Simply knowing that someone else has been through the same process, and may have insights into the many different stages and elements of recovery brings a vital and much-needed dimension to anyone’s successful rehabilitation.

Support groups are also important for accountability. Even someone who has successfully completed a rehabilitation program will always be in danger of relapse. Having people who can keep each other on track for sobriety and abstinence is an incredibly important asset. This is made all the more meaningful when the accountability is assisted by people who already know the dangers of relapse. They understand the risks and temptations their peers face, but they can also use their respective voices of experience to impress the importance of staying clean, and do so without using shame or guilt.

Groups offer encouragement, a powerful force that motivates us all to do better in life. Someone new who joins the group might be inspired and similarly motivated to stay healthy if they hear the stories of others– not just the successful parts, but also the difficult parts – and how those difficulties led to improvements. The knowledge of this might encourage a person to remain stronger in recovery, knowing that someone in the support group is depending on them as well.

Open and Honest Participation

Both types of support groups are beneficial. Groups led by licensed therapists can offer greater structure and direction, along with targeted healing for mental health concerns or recovery plans. Peer support groups may offer more convenient scheduling, and a possibility to continue group support for years at a time. In any setting, groups that consist of people who have been through similar experiences help others feel encouraged to share stories and perspectives.

Support groups work. The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration estimated that an average of five million people attend a self-help support group each year in the U.S., and of that number, almost 50 percent abstained from using drugs or alcohol in the 30 days before their interview.1

Support groups are for people of all ages and backgrounds. A report by the National Survey on Drug Use and Health found that people as young as 12 years old attend support groups to help heal from substance abuse problems.2

What Problems Can Support Groups Address?

Almost any condition, disorder, health issue or other ailments can be addressed, and its effects mitigated, by a support group.

Across the entire country, people are getting together to talk about and offer solidarity for:

  • Mutually coping with grief and bereavement
  • People who want to gain coping skills and reach goals
  • Providing LGBTQ populations with a safe place to talk about their sexual identity and orientation
  • People freshly out of substance abuse rehabilitation programs
  • People looking to curb bad or destructive habits, like gambling or shopping addiction
  • People dealing with stress, anxiety, or depression

Any problem, concern or issue you may be going through is also being suffered through by someone else. You are not alone.

How Do I Find a Support Group?

There are a number of ways you can find support groups if you are, or someone you love is, going through recovery:

  • Your treatment facility and doctor may know of a support network
  • Churches and other places of worship sometimes host, or even arrange, support groups
  • Libraries and community centers often host support groups or offer relevant resources
  • Your city or county may have a local organization specifically for your addiction or diagnosis
  • Other people who have been through similar experiences may offer resources

These days, there are a number of online resources that can help you find the right support group for you, or your friend or family member. Many of these websites, blogs, bulletin boards, or social networks are frequently used by people in recovery who share their stories in the hope that other people who need help will feel emboldened to get in touch and start attending group sessions.

Call Us Today

Finding the way back from the depths of addiction can seem daunting and intimidating for you or your loved one, but it doesn’t need to be. Not only are there other people who have firsthand knowledge of what that feels like, but these people are also willing to share their lessons. Here at Black Bear Lodge, we know that recovery is a process, not simply an event. Contact us today at 706-909-9811 to learn more about how support groups can augment your recovery process.

Addiction Treatment Support Groups in Georgia

When it comes to continued care after addiction treatment, support groups are the best way to help counteract the feelings of loneliness that often occur on the road to recovery. Support groups also create a community of people committed to each other’s health and wellness. Connecting with others who can relate to similar struggles increases the odds of long-term treatment success and future abstinence rates. Different support groups exist for individual needs.

Some of the support group options available in Georgia include the following:

  • The Seven Challenges: adolescent addiction support
  • ASAM Level 1: meets American Society of Addiction Medicine Level-1 standards
  • SMART Recovery: non-profit with a focus on abstinence
  • AA and NA: The well-known 12-Step groups, Alcoholics Anonymous and Narcotics Anonymous
  • Celebrate Recovery: a Christian recovery group

Choosing the right support group can mean the difference between relapse and a new life free from the control of drugs or alcohol. The following information can help you find the best fit for your unique situation.

The Seven Challenges

The Seven Challenges is an evidence-based program designed to help adolescents between the ages of 14 and 19 struggling with drug addiction. The group encourages adolescents to take responsibility and ownership of their lives and futures. The program works with young people to help them make a commitment to changing their lifestyles and remaining drug-free. The program is available through a variety of addiction counseling facilities as well as through Georgia’s Youth Development Campuses throughout the state.3

ASAM Level 1 Groups

ASAM Level I classes are designed based on the American Society of Addiction Medicine criteria for treatment. Classes provide those struggling with addiction a supportive and instructive environment where they develop insights into the causes of their addictive and abusive behaviors. According to the American Alternative Court Services, some of these issues can include emotional regulation, diagnosable affective disorders, or other socio-cultural, environmental and genetic factors.4

There are several groups meeting the American Society of Addiction Medicine (ASAM) Level 1 standards in the state of Georgia. ASAM includes five separate levels of care with level one being outpatient recovery services. These clinicians are certified to help facilitate support groups for recovering addicts focusing on a defined and standard set of procedures, medical protocol, and policies. Several of these groups meet throughout Georgia, and many fulfill court-ordered mandates.5

SMART Recovery

SMART Recovery meetings are open to the public, unless otherwise specified, and offered at no cost. SMART stands for Self-Management and Recovery Training, and these recovery groups offer peer support for those seeking to control their addictions and maintain abstinence. SMART Recovery is an alternative to AA or other 12-Step programs and a national non-profit program that also offers a free online discussion tool. There are several different groups meeting in Georgia, some for students, some for women only, and other open groups.6

Alcoholics Anonymous and Narcotics Anonymous

Alcoholics Anonymous, commonly known as AA, is a well-known organization with the purpose of supporting men and women who wish to maintain sobriety. AA is a non-profit organization open to everyone. It focuses on the 12-Step model, which includes a group of principals designed to help a person live a more fulfilling and sober life. Those struggling with alcohol are encouraged to share their stories; they are paired up with a sponsor who acts as a sympathetic ear and is available to them at all times.7 Narcotics Anonymous is another branch of the program designed to help those recovering from drug abuse.8

Celebrate Recovery

For a church-based and biblical approach, Celebrate Recovery is a viable option. Celebrate Recovery is faith-based and designed to help break bad habits and overcome hurt in a church setting. A specific curriculum is used, and groups are typically small and gender-specific. Groups are formed based on specific needs, and childcare is available where children are also taught about the recovery process. Celebrate Recovery programs are offered in many churches throughout Georgia.9

Comprehensive Treatment for Drug and Alcohol Addiction

Support groups are an important part of the process of recovery, but they cannot take the place of appropriate drug treatment. The best drug treatment programs begin with medically-supervised detox and follow with diagnosis and treatment in an addiction facility. If you’re ready to step away from alcohol and drug abuse, we can help here at Black Bear Lodge. Call us now at 706-909-9811 to talk with one of our admissions coordinators about available treatment options.

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Ready to Begin Healing?

If what you’ve read here gives you hope, we’d love to talk. Our admissions team is available 24/7 to answer your questions, verify your insurance and help you or your loved one get started.