Families do not realize the complexity of addiction, mental health, and family systems. Families also need to recognize the dysfunctional family role they have acquired, which is holding them back from improving the situation, is primarily the problem. Many family members believe their actions will pay off in the long run. Every family has a mix of family members that compromise the outcome.

Empathy and Understanding

This suggests that the nature of the intervention may be as crucial as the method itself. A person struggling with moderate to full-blown addiction can be harsh to their loved ones. The financial, physical, and emotional consequences of the addiction affect the individual and their friends and family members. In times of adversity, finding the right words to express empathy, understanding, and unwavering support can make an immense difference in the lives of our loved ones and in ourselves. Writing an impact letter is one way of finding those words. I want to start by expressing my deep love and concern for you.

A Letter To The Person Struggling With Addiction

I want things, I want different feelings, I want changes in others, I want, I want, I want. I believe that desire is no different for anyone – for people with addiction and for those without. In 2010, Ron Grover wrote an open letter to his son — and anyone with addiction — that still moves us today. Writing a letter to your child who is struggling with dependence or addiction can be cathartic for both of you. It can also allow you to express the caring and emotion you feel that might be harder to communicate in person.

• The intervention letter is relevant to the planning phase and the actual intervention.
• Every letter should be revised as often as necessary until all the words ring true and have the ability to motivate the person to make real and lasting change.
• This is because substance abuse alters the brain chemistry and can significantly affect how a person relates with others.
• This portion of the letter is designed to remind the person of how wonderful things once were before drugs and alcohol took the stage.

The Importance of Professional Guidance in Crafting Intervention Letters

When you write to your loved one, it’s’ advisable that you choose encouraging words. Craft a letter that shows you offering support and communicates your love to the patient in rehab. Active addiction often leads to poor communication in relationships.

• It may seem selfish, but I believe that the center of one’s being can only revolve around oneself.
• You can find support, answers and resources through Al-Anon, a mutual support group for people affected by a loved one’s addiction.
• With locations around the United States, we want to help people get their loved ones into treatment and get them sober.
• Families can provide a push by devoting a few sentences in the letter to bold pleas for the person to accept help and enroll in care.

The goal is to prompt a commitment to enter a treatment program. Research indicates that interventions, such as contingency management and motivational interviewing, have effectively promoted abstinence and treatment engagement. Once a family member can see the role they acquired and how it contributed to the problem, this section becomes clearer.

Editing and Finalizing Your Impact Letter

” I’ll never forget you sleeping with your trophy for two weeks after you received it. As you grew older, I was amazed to watch you become the person you wanted to be, and I enjoyed listening to you talk about the things you wanted to be and do when you letter to a drug addict friend grew up. In other words, you do not have to give them a specific time frame for their departure or exaggerate how great things will be when they arrive.

• Whether true or false, It is the perception of the person with substance use or mental health disorder.
• Don’t wait — contact a Recovery Advocate today to see how we can help.
• We will not tolerate this anymore, and you need help.
• By reflecting on these challenges and lessons, individuals involved in the intervention process can improve their approach and increase the likelihood of a positive outcome.
• Allow your emotions to flow freely and don’t hold back.
• Families do not realize the complexity of addiction, mental health, and family systems.

When high or drunk, it’s virtually impossible to focus on anything outside the sensation, and when in withdrawal, the rest of the world fades away as the need for more drugs dominates. In the introduction of a letter, state who you are and your relationship to the subject of an intervention. Describe the person in your own words that relate to how you view them — both before and after addiction — as well as what your relationship means. Washington said he wouldn’t drink for the two months or so that he was working on a movie.