Addiction Counselor

Many are surprised at the relief that comes from reaching out to a trained pro.

If you’re a family member or friend of somebody in the throes of addiction, you may wonder where you should start. You may know your loved one needs help, but they won’t seem to sit still long enough to have a serious conversation with you. Maybe you’re feeling helpless as you watch somebody you love spiral out of control in his or her addiction. If so, hiring an addiction interventionist could be the key to your loved on getting help.

If you have a loved one who is struggling with addiction, a professionally staged intervention could be the key to helping them. An interventionist can help your loved one understand the effects of alcohol, drugs, and/or other destructive behaviors they may have, and offer them hope for recovery.

What Credentials Should an Interventionist Have?

Like most important decisions in life, you’ll want to take some time to find the interventionist that’s right for you. If you put the term “interventionist” into Google, you will find a lot of people may offer services as “addiction specialists” or interventionists. Some of these people are trained professionals, while others are so-called “self taught”. How can you know whose services are legitimate and whose are not?

This is why credentials are so important when choosing an interventionist. A credentialed profession with excellent references can make a huge difference in the outcome your intervention. Most credentialed interventionists will be listed with the Association of Intervention Specialists (or AIS), a respected credentialing body that also has an AIS Certification Board.2 This Board has a strong code of ethics that must be adhered to for people who bear the credential. You can recognize this certification by checking to see if your interventionist has BRI-I or BRI-II listed after their name. You can contact also AIS to certify a service provider’s credentials.

Many interventionists will have other important qualifications, such as

  • LCSW (licensed clinical social worker)
  • MSW (masters of social work)
  • CCDC (certified chemical dependency counselor)

These credentials, earned through specialized training, are helpful to professionals that work in mental health and substance abuse fields and often demonstrates experience in case management. Case management is an important part of doing an intervention; you’ll want somebody who helps you plan treatment and even aftercare. After all, an intervention isn’t just a one-time event. An interventionist can help you also plan treatment options and, when your loved one is discharged, can help you plan aftercare, too.

Like many other services, it’s important that you take the time to research your options and find the interventionist will work best with your family. An ideal interventionist will have experience, credentials, and a decent list of success stories. Take the time to shop around for the right professional to avoid any potential problems.

An interventionist who has experience in case management or social work can help you plan each phase of recovery.3 They can also help you work with reluctant family members or other challenges you may face when planning the intervention.

Remember that an experienced interventionist has successfully gotten people to go to treatment, even if they were unwilling to discuss the option in the past. This is important, especially if your loved one is in denial about the nature of their addiction.

What Happens When You Contact an Interventionist? 

In order to help plan an intervention, the interventionists you speak with will often need some basic background information about the person you want to get help.1

Be prepared to answer questions about your loved one’s addiction, such as their drug of choice or how long he or she has been using. Was there a specific event that led to your phone call, such as an arrest or overdose? Has your loved one ever gone to treatment before?

You may not have all the answers to the questions the interventionist has about your loved ones, so they may also want to ask questions of other family members or friends who will be participating in the intervention.

Finding an Experienced Interventionist

Finding an experienced interventionist can be hard, and we understand that you’re probably anxious to get started. We’ll be happy to refer you to a qualified professional to help you help your loved one. All phone calls are 100% confidential and we’ll be happy to answer any questions you may have.

References
1.Drug addiction (substance use disorder), available here.
2.Association of Intervention Specialists (AIS) Member Directory, available here.
3.NASW Standards for Social Work Case Management, available here.