Tips on Avoiding and Preventing Relapse

Once an individual has completed rehab and entered the maintenance phase of recovery, the real test begins.  Instead of being surrounded by fellow recovering addicts, counselors and strong family support, the recovering addict finds himself in a brave new world of temptation, pressure and obstacles.  This is true for anyone but these challenges can present difficulties to the newly recovering addict.

Here are a few tips to remember as you begin your new life, clean and sober:

Stay in the Program

Just because you’ve left the rehab treatment center or you are no longer attending daily outpatient therapy sessions does not mean you are on your own.  By staying in a support program, perhaps for years, you can continue to reinforce the skills you’ve learned along the way.  You can apply the principles of recovery to your daily life by consistently reminding yourself there are people to help you. Attend NA or AA meetings every day on your lunch hour or on your way home from work.  You’ll make friends who understand who you are and where you come from, and you can support each other as you face the temptations of everyday life.

Stay Away From Harmful Influences

It is not uncommon for the recovering addict to want to share their new lifestyle with friends or family members who have not yet made the leap into recovery.  Unfortunately, these same “friends” who shared the addiction experience with you may, in turn, bring you back into a lifestyle you would rather avoid.

It is better, at least until you are firmly rooted in your recovery, to refrain from contact with people and locations that bring your former life back into the forefront of your new world.  In order to increase your chances for staying clean, create new connections and new friendships in a healthy community.

Change Habits and Routines

Do you drive to work through a neighborhood where you have used or purchased drugs?  Find a new route to work.  Do you spend every Friday night at a local club because you enjoy the atmosphere and music?  Find a new hobby.  Is your favorite section of the beach a local hangout for the high-powered executives who like to unwind a little on the weekends?  Find new waves.

Making changes in your life is difficult.  Saying goodbye to old ways of doing things and former activities you’ve enjoyed can bring on feelings akin to grieving.  It is perfectly acceptable to grieve for these losses, but it is important that you make the changes you need in order live your life without the everyday temptations that these former aspects tend to bring.

Surround Yourself With Healthy People

One of the most important rules of a drug-free life is that the life is, in fact, drug free.  A zero-tolerance policy concerning drugs is essential to making sure your life is unaffected by the choices of others.  It is easy to believe that everyone has a choice - that you have no right to make choices for others.  If they wish to use casually, they have that right.  As true as this statement may be, you also have rights.  You also have choices.  You can choose to not allow these individuals into your life.  You are not a casual user.  You are a recovering addict. Your life is more important than your friends’ desire to get high.

Ask for Help

Perhaps the most important tip of all, remembering to ask for help can literally save your life.  Especially in the early days of recovery, temptations to use will come in many forms.  Got your job back?  Let’s celebrate!  Your childhood pet passed away?  You may be tempted to escape the pain, as you have in the past, through the use of drugs or alcohol.

It is in these moments that asking for help is so vitally important.  There are several ways you can ask for help:

• Call your AA or NA sponsor, regardless of the day or time.
• Call your pastor or deacon if you’re a member of a church.
• Call a trusted family member.
• Call your rehab facility or get in touch with your counselor.
• Visit a local emergency room and explain the situation.

Before you choose to use, make sure you think about the strides you’ve made and what using will really cost you.

What to Look for in an Executive Addiction Treatment Center

The disease of addiction knows no boundaries.  It can affect children, adults, the elderly, and people of every race, creed, ethnic background and economic status.  In fact, there are a number of highly respected executives who have suffered from addiction.  Because many treatment centers understand the need for privacy and security, there are resources available for individuals who have earned their current status through hard work and dedication.

When looking for an executive addiction treatment center, there are a few questions you may want to ask before you decide which one is best suited to your needs.

• Is the facility private?
  High-level executives have more at stake in the privacy of their recovery process than personal embarrassment. In many cases, when the highest members of a corporation are deemed to be even temporarily ineffective, stock prices can be affected. The company you have worked so hard to create and the stockholders to whom you owe your very best efforts should not pay the price for your illness. Be certain the executive treatment center you choose knows the meaning of discretion. Consider these questions:
  • Is the facility located in an out-of-the-way place?
  • Are the grounds protected from photographers or others who may have an interest in your situation?
  • Are guests checked prior to entering the compound to ensure they have reasons to be there?
  • Are staff and all delivery personnel subjected to background checks?
• Is the facility accommodating?
  You have worked hard for your current status. You have control over your career and you’ve earned certain rights and privileges. You have come to the conclusion that drug or alcohol use or abuse is not one of these privileges, of course, but you shouldn’t have to give up the luxuries you’ve earned. When choosing an executive addiction treatment center, consider touring the premises, speaking with other residents and ensuring that you will feel comfortable as you spend several months concentrating on your recovery.
• Does the facility understand the pressures of an executive lifestyle?
  Running a large company or corporation contains a host of pressures unique to the profession. A rehabilitation treatment center designed for individuals in executive positions should be familiar with the nature of the career-minded individual. The staff should be able to identify with the needs and desires of the individuals they treat, as well as have the concerned aptitude to address issues head on with their charges by teaching new ways in which to cope with the pressures of daily life.
• Does the facility offer holistic treatments?
  Many executive professionals have worked long and hard to get where they are. The “rat race” of the corporate world often leaves little time to cater to one’s own needs. Holistic techniques like a good diet, meditation, Reiki or other therapeutic massage techniques, and exercise can go a long way to reducing the stress that might lead an individual to relapse into drug abuse. An executive treatment center that offers alternative therapies can teach a recovering executive addict healthier lifestyle choices to carry with them into their pressure-filled lives.

Heroin Addiction Statistics

One of the most prevalent drugs in the United States today is heroin.  Heroin is an opiate derived from morphine.  Generally, it is sold as white or brownish powder, or as a sticky, black substance known as “tar” heroin.  Heroin can be injected, smoked or snorted.  Known as “smack,” “H,” “ska” or “junk” on the streets, it is a highly addictive opiate that has a far reach across the nation with no socioeconomic borders to speak of.

The effects of heroin include a short-term euphoria followed by a “crash” that includes intermittent bouts of insomnia or drowsiness.

The statistics surrounding heroin use can be shocking.  In a 2010 study funded by the National Institute on Drug Abuse, the following discoveries concerned school-aged children in the US:

• Of eighth graders in the United States, 0.8 percent had abused heroin at least once in the year preceding the survey.
• Of 10^th graders in the US, 0.8 percent had abused heroin at least once in the year preceding the survey.
• Of high school seniors in the United States, 0.9 percent had abused heroin at least once in the year preceding the survey.
• Of eighth graders in the US, 1.3 percent had abused heroin at least once in their lifetime.
• Of 10^th graders in the United States, 1.5 percent had abused heroin at least once in their lifetime.
• Of high school seniors in the US, 1.2 percent had abused heroin at least once in their lifetime.

Average Age for First-Time Use of Heroin

According to the same 2010 study by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), there were 140,000 individuals in the United States aged 12 year or older who had begun using heroin or used heroin for the first time that year.  The average age of individuals between the ages of 12 and 49 years to use this powerful opiate for the first time was a mere 21 years of age.  This is younger than the previous study funded in 2009.  At that time, the average age was 25 years old.

Total Number of Heroin Users

The 2009 National Survey on Drug Use and Health reported that 605,000 Americans aged 12 and older had used heroin at least once in the previous year.

Heroin-Involved Emergency Department Visits

In the National Institute on Drug Abuse publication “Research Report Series - Heroin Abuse and Addiction,” the institute states that more than 93,000 individuals in 21 metropolitan areas sought medical treatment for heroin-related conditions in the year 2002.

In 2009, the number of heroin-related emergency department visits increased to 213,000 visits, although it should be noted that the statistics came from separate organizations. Forty-three thousand of these visits combined alcohol and heroin use.

Drug Deaths in the United States

While numbers for heroin-specific deaths are scarce, the number of “unintentional poisonings” in the United States in 2007 was second only to automobile accidents. Of these poisonings, 93 percent were drug-related poisonings, also known as overdoses.

Heroine use is more common in more sectors of the population than the average citizen might think; however, treatment is available for those who have fallen into the illness of addiction.

What Is the Basic Structure of an Outpatient Rehab Program?

When an addict is unable to enter a medical facility or other residential treatment program, the option for outpatient treatment is available.  There are several reasons that an addict may choose an outpatient program, including:

• Cost of the program or lack of insurance
• Severity of addiction
• Lifestyle issues, such as work, school or taking care of family members
• Personal choice based upon modalities

The basic structure of an outpatient rehab program is basically the same regardless of the program chosen and will often include several factors, according to the National Institute on Drug Abuse.

When an outpatient rehab program is the best option, it is important that the recovering addict attends all of the scheduled sessions and appointments in order for the program to succeed.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy

Cognitive (meaning thought) and behavioral (meaning actions) therapy is therapy that addresses the individual’s methods for dealing with specific situations. This therapy helps the addict learn new ways to cope and new behaviors to implement in situations that would normally lead to the abuse of drugs or alcohol.  Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is generally held privately in one-on-one sessions with each participant in the program.

Multi-Dimensional Family Therapy

In many cases, this therapy is used for adolescents with drug and alcohol abuse issues that have either stemmed from or affected the overall family dynamic.  However, it can be beneficial for the families of adult addicts when there are children involved.  This therapy helps the family to reconnect in a new sober lifestyle while addressing the issues of anger, abuse, neglect or fear to which the addict’s choices may have contributed.  It can also address these same feelings within the addict which may have led to the choice to use drugs or alcohol to cope.

Motivational Interviewing

The process of motivational interviewing focuses on the individual addict.  It can help determine the addict’s overall preparedness to enter treatment and show whether the addict is truly in an emotional position to change their behavior and lifestyle choices.

Motivational Incentives

In the earliest days of recovery, the desire to use drugs can be their strongest.  In their recent past, addicts see drug use as a reward.  Perhaps they had a very rough day or they suffered through some trauma; drug use is a means to mitigate the damage these events caused and make the addict feel better.  Motivational incentives are the positive reinforcements that can replace the “drug reward” in the mind of the addict.  These may take the form of monetary incentives (there have been programs that offer gift cards donated by local businesses, for instance, for clean drug tests).  In other cases, the incentives are more emotional (such as a visit with an estranged child).

Group Therapy

Trust and sharing are sometimes foreign to a drug addict who has spent a great deal of time hiding behind their drug abuse.  Group therapy with others in a similar position can help the addict understand they are not alone and that they can cope with the issues they face on a daily basis.

Each outpatient program is different concerning how these factors and techniques are implemented, however, the basic structure is the same.  The addict is held responsible for their own decisions while learning about their disease in a productive and encouraging manner.

A List of Aftercare Support Groups for Recovering Addicts

For an addict, one of the most important days of their lives comes when their drug treatment counselor says, “You’re ready for aftercare.”  Aftercare is the part of the process that comes after an addict has successfully completed a drug treatment program.  It means they are ready to begin their lives anew.  That, all by itself, can be a scary proposition.  To help the recovering addict through the ups and downs of daily life, there exists several established aftercare support groups that are available - day and night - to help keep the recovering addict on the straight and narrow.

Narcotics Anonymous

Narcotics Anonymous was founded in the 1950s after the model of Alcoholics Anonymous.  It is an international non-profit organization dedicated to helping drug addicts and anyone who would like to join them along the way to stay clean and sober.  A quick visit to their main website can put the recovering addict in contact with a chapter close by.  If there isn’t a meeting available due to distance restrictions, there are phone numbers available for support.

The concept of this organization is based upon recovering addicts helping recovering addicts.  They do not care how much an individual used, what kinds of drugs were abused or how those drugs may have affected the life of the abuser.  They care about what will happen next, and they have had decades of success helping addicts reach sobriety.

LifeRing

LifeRing is a support network for recovering alcoholics and drug addicts based upon the concept that the positive self can reach out to support the positive selves of others.  In the same manner that two addicts may use together, LifeRing teaches sober individuals to stay sober together.

Alcoholics Anonymous

Alcoholics Anonymous, affectionately known as “AA” around the world, is a place where those addicted to alcohol can celebrate their sobriety, obtain counseling, reach out to others in service, as well as call upon others in their group for help when they need it.

Local Churches

For those addicts who reside in small, rural areas of the country, it is possible that there are no “famous” support groups in the area.  This doesn’t mean there are no places to turn to for support.  Local churches often have a support group that will meet locally, combining modalities and sharing life stories of victory and defeat.  If there are no organizations or support groups, a recovering addict may find support and help by starting a group of their own.

Local Hospitals

Because of the health implications involved in drug and alcohol abuse and recovery, it is not uncommon for local hospitals to have a list of nearby support groups.  A visit to a local emergency room when a recovering addict fears they may relapse is a better choice than the alternative, of course.  However, finding a support group prior to that situation is a better course of action.

There are many support groups available that can offer a recovering addict a safe place to talk with others who have been through similar life experiences.  This can be a crucial piece of the recovery plan and has proven to be beneficial in a great majority of successful recoveries.

Can You Cope With Withdrawal Symptoms Without Medication?

The detoxification process in early drug rehabilitation can be a difficult time for many addicts.  Depending upon the drugs used, an addict may experience many severe symptoms that can bring great risk to the individual sufferer.  Because of these factors and the overall painful side effects of withdrawal, many facilities use medication-assisted detoxification as the first step in the recovery process.

Not all addicts wish to introduce more medications into their systems.  There are ways to cope with the serious symptoms of withdrawal without using prescribed or over-the-counter medications.  However, choosing to undergo detoxification without the help of medical professionals and medication can be unnecessarily harmful in some cases.

Meditation

One of the most basic truths about the human condition is that the human mind is a powerful instrument. Focusing attention and creating an atmosphere of quiet can bring an attitude of calm to an individual through the use of meditation techniques.  It is important to remember, however, that someone not experienced with meditation might have more difficulty implementing it during the difficult detoxification process.  Many facilities that offer alternative therapies will have meditation guides and experts on hand to help the addict through the difficult moments.

Relaxation Techniques

There are many forms of relaxation techniques that have been shown to help individuals suffering withdrawal.  Reiki, therapeutic massage and other techniques can help soothe the person going through withdrawal, combating the sleeplessness and restlessness that are common during the first few days of detoxification.

The individual addict should make the decision of whether to use medication or relaxation techniques based upon how well they know themselves.  However, the individual should listen to the advice of others based upon the addict’s history of drug use and the memory lapses that may have occurred. Many addicts do not know themselves as well as they might like to simply because they have been operating under the influence of drugs and alcohol.

Education and Understanding

It has been said that knowledge is power.  Learning as much as possible about their addiction can help an addict fight through those first, intense days of life without drugs.  Understanding that the withdrawal phase is temporary and that once the drugs have metabolized out of the body, the immediate and acute illness will pass, can give can them strength to make it through.

The choice of whether to use medication during the detox period is a very personal one.  The important aspect is that the addict receives the treatment that is right for them.  If they are more likely to successfully complete detox through the use of medication, it is important that the option is available. If they are adamant that they will defeat their personal demons without that help, it is still important that the properly trained experts are available for assistance and guidance.

None of these alternatives to medication will completely alleviate the symptoms associated with withdrawal. Like medication, unfortunately, they can only help the individual sufferer make it through those harrowing hours.  Rather than eliminating medications altogether, an option may be to prepare a contingency plan for specific withdrawal symptoms and how each should be addressed-either with or without medication.

What Happens at a Medical Detoxification Facility

When an individual becomes dependent upon or addicted to the use of drugs, their physical body becomes so accustomed to the presence of the drug that they feel they cannot function without it.  The need to obtain the drug becomes so strong in some cases that the individual is unable to begin a treatment program without the help of a medical detoxification facility.

The First Step

When the addict first arrives at the medical detox facility, he or she will be searched for any items that may harm them or any member of the staff.  This may include:

• Shoelaces
• Clothing with drawstrings
• Nail clippers or tweezers
• Medications or drugs
• Other personal belongings

It is important to remember that this not a judgment against the individual being admitted but a practice based upon the experiences of others.

Entering Detox

The detoxification process lasts approximately three to five days.  During this time frame, the addict will suffer many serious side effects caused by the withdrawal of the drugs from their body.  As the body purifies, the individual may suffer from a variety of symptoms, including:

• Shaking, trembling and seizure-like spasms
• Nausea and vomiting
• Sweating and fever
• Irritability that can lead to violence
• Diarrhea
• Severe bone, joint and muscle pain

A medical detoxification facility is staffed by medical doctors, nurses and others who are trained in how to help an addict through this painful and frightening process.

Medication

As with prescription medications, it can be dangerous for an addict to stop using illegally obtained or non-prescription drugs “cold turkey.”  A medical detoxification facility has the ability to help the addict by weaning them off some substances through the use of synthetic medications designed for this purpose.

Supervision, Safety and Security

Addicts who are discontinuing certain drugs, like stimulants, can often become violent and angry.  Their bodies want the drugs they have become used to and the individual will go to great lengths to get them.  A medical detoxification facility has the security and supervision to prevent the addict from harming themselves or others during the withdrawal process.

Sleep Detoxification

Some medical detoxification facilities offer the option to use general anesthesia for the first few hours of detox as a means to alleviate some of the pain of the withdrawal process. An article published by the National Institute of Drug Abuse, however, references a study that shows those who underwent this option had very similar complaints during the remaining detox period as those who were treated with more traditional methods.

When an individual admits himself into a medical detoxification facility, he can expect that the next few days will be difficult.  There is no easy road to recovery.  However, with the right facility and an experienced staff, he can also expect to come out on the other side of the detox period physically ready to enter the rehab phase of the process.  Drug detox is not rehab; this is the process that an addict must go through in order to be sober when they enter rehab.  The rehabilitation portion of the process begins when the detox period ends.  They are both important steps towards recovery.  An individual who goes through the detox process and does not follow up with the drug treatment program will, most likely, relapse.

How Long Is a Vicodin Addiction Treatment Program?

As with any type of recovery process, the length of time an individual addicted to Vicodin may need for recovery depends upon many factors, including:

• How long the individual has been addicted to or used Vicodin
• Whether the individual has other addictions that must be addressed
• Whether the individual has a dual diagnosis that has led to the addiction
• Whether the treatment program is inpatient or outpatient in nature

A treatment program can be designed specifically for an individual person.  The recovery center may tailor the needs of the addict with the available resources and suggest an amount of time to attend the program.

There are several steps to the recovery process that are based upon statistical medical fact which are roughly the same for every person, such as the length of time it takes the human body to detox from heavy drug use.

Detox

The first stage of any recovery from an addiction to Vicodin or other opiates will be the detoxification period.  This generally lasts four to five days, depending upon the health of the individual and the amount of Vicodin normally consumed.

The most severe withdrawal symptoms begin as soon as the effects of the Vicodin wear off or metabolize out of the addict’s system.  The symptoms can range from severe bone and joint pain to nausea and vomiting, sleeplessness, restless muscles and sweating.  This withdrawal period can be undergone at home, at a hospital or in some rehab centers that have facilities to care for detoxifying patients.

Drug Rehab

Once the individual’s system has purged the immediate effects of Vicodin abuse, the actual drug rehab  process can begin.  The individual may still suffer some pain in the bones and joints because Vicodin and other opiates actually create physical pain.  This is one reason why so many individuals who might not otherwise consider the use of street drugs find themselves addicted to their legally obtained prescriptions.

According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, there is no exact time frame for successful rehabilitation from any type of drug.  Their studies have shown, however, that any treatment less than 90 days in length will have minimal effects.  Therefore, it is recommended that an individual remain in treatment, either inpatient or outpatient, actively for at least three months.

If the treatment beings in a residential facility, it is important to continue that treatment on a daily basis with intensive outpatient therapy for the remainder of the recommended time period.  The actual length of time that the recovering addict should spend in treatment will ultimately hinge on their dedication, diagnoses and other personal factors.

Recovery

The recovery process for Vicodin addiction can last the addict’s entire lifetime.  Depending upon how much drug abuse the individual experienced, the length of time the addiction lasted, the emotional stability of the addict and their newfound ability to handle the stresses of daily life, some addicts struggle less or more than others.

The most important aspect of finding a path to freedom from addiction is seeking help in the first place.  Regardless of how long the process actually takes for each individual, the journey must begin with a single step.

Types of Alternative Therapies Used in Addiction Recovery

Addiction recovery is a multi-layered process that deals with many aspects of the human condition. Unlike other illnesses that may require a shot or some new miracle drug to fix them, the illness of addiction needs to be treated on varying levels. Addiction recovery must address:

• The physical aspects of recovery
• The mental and psychological aspects (including the possibility of dual diagnoses)
• The spiritual aspects of recovery
• The forgiveness aspects of recovery

In order to better address these many different parts of the recovery process, many treatment centers have instituted alternative therapies to help the recovering addict learn coping skills, forgiveness, and how to reach a state of consciousness they can enjoy without the use of dangerous drugs or alcohol.

Equine Therapy

The use of horses in several therapeutic areas has become more popular in recent years.  In the case of alcohol and drug rehab, the addict may be asked to care for the needs of an animal or to care for the animal itself.  One possible benefit from this type of activity has to do with learning to communicate effectively.  For instance, when a horse doesn’t want to do something, it takes compassion, deliberateness, confidence and control to convince the horse to cooperate. These skills are all beneficial to someone who has felt out of control for quite some time.

Meditation and Yoga

The quiet times during a treatment program can be the most profound.  Many people afflicted with drug and alcohol addictions have avoided being alone with themselves for a long period of time. Meditation and exercise, like yoga, can reconnect an individual to their inner self and help them figure out healthy ways to find the peace they seek.

Reiki and Massage

Reiki is an energetic healing modality that is centuries old.  The Reiki practitioner places their hands either on or directly above their clients to move physical energies into alignment.  Several institutions, including the National Institute of Health (NIH) and the National Center for Complimentary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM), have conducted studies regarding the use of Reiki to treat pain, stress, nausea and other symptoms that might come into play in a rehabilitation setting.

While the jury is still out because of the small size of the participant groups, those who prefer energy healing have found great benefit in the use of Reiki and traditional massage therapy during the recovery process.

Art

Art therapy can include learning the basics of playing an instrument, painting, sculpting and other forms of artistic expression, including writing.  According to Dr. James W. Pennebaker of the University of Texas at Austin, “Writing about emotional upheavals in our lives can improve physical and mental health.”  He spoke of the benefits of creating and artistic writing with the National Institute of Health’s News in Health publication in 2008.

Entering a recovery center is a very personal choice.  Choosing one that offers alternative therapies as well as traditional modalities for treatment can make the experience more personal, less “medicinal” and create the avenues of expression to help the recovering addict remain healthy in the future.

The Benefits of Hiring a Professional Drug Interventionist

When a family decides to intervene in the overall health and welfare of a family member or friend who is addicted to drugs or alcohol, the steps taken can truly save the addict’s life.  The notion that a person suffering from addiction must “hit rock bottom” has been replaced with the concept of “raising” the bottom to meet the addict.  In order to do this effectively, however, it is important to understand the risks involved.  In fact, it is a good idea to hire a professional drug interventionist who has experience and training in the process of intervention.

Trained in Drug and Alcohol Counseling

When you choose an interventionist to help your loved one, you should look over their training and certifications.  One group, The National Association of Drug and Alcohol Interventionists, required as many as 300 education hours and 6,000 hours of experience as well as a bachelor’s degree in a related field of study before they will include a member in their organization.

Training for the Family and Friends

One of the most important aspects of helping an addict enter recovery is to truly understand what the addict is going through.  What is addiction?  How does addiction affect the way a person thinks and feels?  Once the family members and friends of an addict can understand the illness that is addiction, they can better help their loved one.

A trained interventionist will teach the members of the intervention group about their loved one’s disease. This helps the family members and friends to become far more productive during the actual intervention.

The Experience to Know Where to Find Help

Until an individual has experience in the drug and alcohol recovery community, he may not know where the resources for help are located.  A professional interventionist is familiar with a wide range of resources that can help the addict enter recovery. They can also point the family and friends towards the help they need so they can remain strong for their loved one.

An Interventionist Knows What “Not” to Say

While the individuals who are performing the intervention have the purest and most productive intentions, it is possible for the intervention group to scare the addict into becoming a recluse from family and friends as a defense mechanism.  A simple statement of fact may sound to the addict like an accusation.  A declaration of love might become an admonishment of guilt.

Sitting down to confront someone who is addicted to drugs and alcohol can be an emotionally risky endeavor.  A trained professional interventionist will teach the intervention group the right way to talk to someone who is in such a fragile and emotional state.

Often, the family and friends of someone who is addicted to drugs and alcohol will be at their wit’s end, unable to speak with their loved one without becoming angry.  It is important that the positive aspects of health and healing are the forefront of the discussion.  A professional interventionist is just far enough away from the immediate emotions that they can control the discussion and make sure it is productive, rather than destructive.

A trained interventionist can spend time with the family and friends prior to the date of the intervention to help them focus their thoughts and words into productive and intelligent communication techniques.  You may only have a few minutes of time to make your point before the addict rebels and uses artful manipulation to change the course of events.

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