Interventions

An intervention is a carefully planned event held in a controlled location with the goal of informing your loved one that their alcohol or substance addiction has harmful effects on themselves, their family, and their friends.

A significant amount of preparation is done in advance of the event not only by the intervention specialist (interventionist) but also by other participants of the intervention.

During the intervention each member of the group will read a personal statement detailing how your loved one’s addiction has affected them. Your loved one is presented with a treatment option and asked to accept that option on the spot. Each team member will say what specific changes he or she will make if your loved one doesn’t accept the plan.

A great deal of patience is required as the intervention can become frustrating for all parties involved.

An intervention can be a stressful event for all parties involved. It is critical that is be facilitated by an experienced interventionist to minimize the potential for negative outcomes.

Your loved one should not feel ambushed therefore the timing and location is crucial to the success of the intervention. During the intervention, each member of the group provides specific examples of destructive behaviors and the impacts they have had on them.

The intervention is a highly emotional event, and an experienced interventionist is key to keeping things on track while respecting the feelings of all parties. In order to achieve a successful outcome each person must spell out what will happen if your loved one refuses to accept treatment. Don’t threaten a consequence unless you’re ready to follow through with it.

An intervention is needed when your loved one is starting to show serious signs of addiction, when they start to lose themselves to the drugs and substances, abusing them and letting them take a toll on their life. In most cases, they don’t even realize what it’s happening, or if they do realize they are so wrapped up in their world that don’t recognize the possibility of living a normal life again, to be treated and be well again. That is the role of an intervention, to help them wake up and see what is happening to them and people around them.