Interventions: A Lifeline for Overcoming Addiction

Addiction is a path of pain, despair, and loneliness. However, there is hope in the form of interventions. Although the road to recovery can be treacherous, you and your loved ones aren’t alone.

We spoke to Suhaika Shereen M. Shariff, who co-founded Hope Valley Malaysia, a rehabilitation centre for various addictions. From a former addict to a Certified Recovery Specialist, an International Certified Prevention Associate, and a Certified Recovery Support Coach, Suhaika gets candid about the journey of rescue and renewal.

1Ttwenty80: What is an addiction?

Suhaika Shereen: According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse in America, an addiction is defined as a chronic, relapsing disorder characterised by compulsive drug seeking and use despite adverse consequences.

When we dissect some terms in the above definition, it gives a clear picture of the severity of an addiction:

• Chronic, which means long-lasting, cannot be cured but can be managed.
• Relapsing, if not properly managed, can become an active addiction again.
• Disease, which in addictions refers to the brain that’s affected.

They go on to say that addictions are similar to other disorders, like heart disease. Both interrupt the regular, healthy functioning of a human organ, both have major negative consequences, and both are, in many situations, preventable and treatable. They can last a lifetime, but if left untreated, they may result in death.

I agree with a simple phrase by Dr. Gabor Maté, a Canadian physician, that says, “Don’t ask why the addiction, but why the pain.”

Assume you come across a drug addict. Don’t ask why he or she is doing drugs. Instead, try to understand what kind of relief are drugs providing them.

1Twenty80: Are there different types of addictions?

Suhaika: When the word addiction is mentioned, the first thing that springs to mind is addiction to alcohol or drugs. However, there are many types of addictions that we are just unaware of.

The Trauma Informed Model of Addiction, often known as The Addiction Tree, graphically depicts many types of addictions. However, not all are recognised in the Fifth Edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5):

• The Addiction Tree
  Like a tree, addiction stems from seeds of shame and feelings of inadequacy. The roots are what keep the tree alive.

• Roots
  The roots of addiction are shame and faulty core beliefs about ourselves and our worth. Our pain, resentments, fear, hurt, selfishness and dishonesty.

• Trunk
  Character defects feed the addiction. Addicts often can ‘chop off’ the ‘branches’ for a time, even for long periods, but without chopping down the trunk, and further killing the roots, the branches keep growing back.

• Branches
  We tend to focus on the branches because it is the ‘acting out’. This refers to using drugs, alcohol, sex, gambling, food etc. These are the symptoms, not the root disease.

My mother spent her entire life trying to save me during my difficulties with substance abuse. She became increasingly dependent on me over time. She was doing well if I was doing well. If I had a bad moment, her life would also fall apart.

She only wanted to save and support me, but she disregarded doing the same for herself. This is a type of addiction as well. We are sometimes unaware that we have become addicted to our own behaviours and traits.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) has agreed to classify “gaming disorder” as a behavioural addiction in the current version of its International Classification of Diseases (ICD).

But being a video game fan isn’t enough to be diagnosed. The WHO standards do not include a specific quantity of time spent playing. Instead, the description is of someone who is unable to quit playing despite the fact that it interferes with other aspects of one’s life, such as family relationships, school, work, and sleep. These issues would normally last at least a year.

Source: BBC

1Ttwenty80: What are some of the challenges faced when trying to recover from addiction?

Suhaika: Addiction recovery is difficult, especially if you lack support. For example, someone who is addicted to alcohol is attempting to abstain. They can refrain from alcohol at home by keeping it out of sight and locked away in a cupboard.

But what happens when they’re outdoors and have no control over their surroundings? Drinking is encouraged in several societies. Occasional drinking is typical in social settings, and don’t forget about peer pressure from those around too. How can such events be avoided?

It is critical to have action plans in place to deal with situations like this. So you want to avoid what they call ‘old playgrounds’. Support groups or trained professionals will walk you through some of these action plans. Some of them may include bringing a friend who knows your situation to social occasions if you think you need extra support.

1Ttwenty80: What are some signs that indicate the need for an intervention?

Suhaika: When your life is disrupted, it can appear as slacking at work and being unable to maintain relationships with family, friends, and loved ones. Your personality may develop into something more abusive and violent. You may be endangering yourself and your loved ones. If this happens to you or a loved one, it may be a sign to get immediate help.

1Ttwenty80: What is an intervention, and how does it help with addiction?

Suhaika: Essentially, this individual has most likely been in denial for a long time and refuses to recognise that they have a problem. This is when their relatives and friends are forced to act on their own. The ultimate purpose of an intervention is to help people obtain help and recover from addiction.

How does this aid in the treatment of addiction? Addiction is a difficult and personal battle. A loved one’s intervention can act as a nudge into seeking assistance and getting healthier.

When your life is disrupted, it can appear as slacking at work and being unable to maintain relationships with family, friends, and loved ones. Your personality may develop into something more abusive and violent.

1Ttwenty80: Are there different types of interventions?

Suhaika: Yes, there are different types of interventions. They include:

• Simple Intervention
  A simple intervention, also known as a brief intervention, is designed for those who engage in risky or problematic behaviors associated with drugs or alcohol.

• Classic Intervention
  This is a confrontational intervention in which the addicted individual is compelled to listen to a network of people who are all invested in that person’s recovery.
  
  This type of intervention could benefit anyone, but it may be most effective for people who have been through previous, gentler approaches and have not been inspired to change. It may also suit those with strong social ties and a large number of stakeholders.

• Family System Intervention
  A systems intervention is intended to aid a person’s family in changing so that they can assist the addict in their recovery path.
  
  This type of intervention is most effective with adolescents, but it can also be beneficial with adults who have close familial relationships. A systems approach may benefit those who live with their parents, grandparents, siblings, or cousins.

• Crisis Intervention
  The family discusses how the addiction caused the issue, and they ask the addicted individual to enter treatment as soon as the hospital/clinic/jail or prison allows the addicted person to leave the location.

1Ttwenty80: What are the key steps in preparing for and conducting a successful intervention?

Suhaika: Some questions that you can ask yourself before conducting an intervention are:

• Who is going to be there?
  Those present should ideally be immediate family or close friends. Once they have been identified, they should each prepare themselves and how they’re going to get involved in the intervention.

• How do you speak to them?
  It’s important to always speak in the ‘I’ format. Instead of saying how useless and terrible the addicted person is, talk about how much hurt they have caused you. You could explain that you’re heartbroken to see your loved one in such a condition.

• What’s next?
  You should always have a game plan. If the addicted person agrees to get help, make sure you know where you can enrol them for treatments. It’s crucial to do your research because you want to get them as soon as they agree.
  
  So pack their clothes and prepare important documents and medications if necessary. Look up a few facilities and healthcare professionals that can help.

1Ttwenty80: What is the one challenging aspect of your work?

Suhaika: Dealing with the client’s family would be one of the more difficult aspects. Some families may be overly controlling when it comes to finances. In such circumstances, we remind them that the client is ultimately our priority.

1Ttwenty80: What is the one rewarding aspect of your work?

Suhaika: With my addiction, I’ve had my fair share of dark days. So I understand how the client and their loved ones feel. I watch clients walk in, dejected and without a will to live. Then, a few months later, they’ve gained weight and have that pop of colour in their skin. They are alive.

That is something you cannot put a price on. That’s why I started working with the rehabilitation center in the first place. Every week, I see new people coming in. A few months later, you see an entirely different individual with a lot of potential.

I’m still working on getting better. I’ve been through a lot in my life. Right now, I’m very content. I have a career, an amazing son, and a family. Recovery is completely worthwhile, and it is more than just abstaining from drugs and alcohol. If I were to describe it in three words, it would be “freedom,” “contentment,” and “peace.”

When approached with compassion and expertise, interventions can be a powerful catalyst for transformation. We hope our chat with Suhaika will serve as a reminder that recovery is possible and that every step on that journey is worth celebrating.

With my addiction, I’ve had my fair share of dark days. So I understand how the client and their loved ones feel.

Suhaika Shereen is the co-founder of Hope Valley. She is also a Certified Recovery Specialist, an International Certified Prevention Associate, and a Certified Recovery Support Coach. She is currently pursuing an Executive Masters in Addiction Studies from Asia Metropolitan University.

Suhaika approaches each individual with a fresh set of eyes, always thinking of creative ways to prescribe treatment. Knowing the harms of addiction first-hand, she is determined to raise awareness of addiction and be an advocate for those who are afflicted with this disease.

To know more about Hope Valley and their services, check them out at their:

Website: www.hopevalley.my
Instagram: @hopevalley.my
Facebook: Hope Valley MY