Crisis intervention is an immediate emergency response to emotional, mental, physical, or behavioral distress. It is used to help restore the person’s equilibrium to its bio-psychological function and minimize the likelihood of any long-term trauma. A certified person normally conducts crisis interventions like an intervention counselor at hospitals, drug rehab centers, clinics, social services, or even at home. It is meant to provide short-term intervention to help the person get assistance, stabilization, resources, and support. A situation that could call for a crisis intervention can refer to any trauma, mental illness, grief, victimization, relationship changes, natural disasters, etc. People can have a hard time coping with that. Often when it comes to mental illness or substance abuse disorders, crises are recurring situations. 
What Happens in Time of Crisis Intervention?
A crisis of any kind can cause someone to lose their ability to cope with the stress, grief, guilt, trauma, or some other thing and causes them to lose their mental balance. When referring to drug use and substance disorders, this could be a relapse back into drug use. A crisis, as well as a crisis intervention, both occur quickly and without much notice. Therefore, it is important to do an assessment as quickly as possible as it could make the difference of whether or not the person regains a sense of control in their life.
More About Crisis Intervention
The very first stage of crisis intervention is called an assessment. During this time, the person will be assessed to determine how the crisis has affected them and their mental state. In this case, the counselor will speak with the patient to determine whether there is a history, how often it occurs, and how it has affected their mental and emotional state. So the three kinds of assessments done are a triage assessment, the crisis assessment, and the social and cultural assessment. There are many different crisis intervention procedures. However, the end goal for all is to restore stabilization for the person who has been afflicted by crisis.
Seven-Stage Crisis Intervention Model
A crisis model is intended to assist in resolving any crises and returning the situation to how it was before the crisis occurred. The seven stages include:
- Plan and conduct a thorough bio psychological and lethality danger assessment.
- Make a psychological contract and establish a collaborative relationship.
- Identify all major problems, including what caused the crisis.
- Encourage the exploration of emotions and feelings.
- Create and explore alternative and new coping strategies.
- Restore their functioning through the implementation of a plan of action.
- Plan for any follow-up sessions.
The seven-stage crisis intervention model is one of many models used to help in a crisis. There is also the SAFER-R Intervention Model and the 10 Stages of Acute Traumatic Stress Management.
Crisis Interventions, Substance Abuse, and Addiction Help
Someone who suffers from addiction may come to a point where their drug use and drinking are causing serious harm to themselves and those around them, making a crisis intervention a necessary tool. It may also be used when someone has gotten sober from the drugs or alcohol and has reached a point where they feel the need to begin using again. Many people who abuse or are addicted to drugs or alcohol may have already lived through a crisis and are using substances to cope with the stress. Crisis intervention can help the person learn healthy coping techniques to replace the substances and learn how to live their life again without the drugs and alcohol.
Overcome Crisis Interventions at Evoke Wellness at Miramar
If you or a loved one have suffered from a crisis and it has lead to some form of addiction, there is still hope. Evoke Wellness at Miramar, can not only help you overcome your crisis through a seven-stage crisis intervention model, but we have addiction specialists and crisis interventions treatment programs to overcome your addiction and get on the path to a happier and healthier lifestyle free from all drug addictions. Contact us today to find out more. We are available around the clock and all calls are free and confidential.
