Intervention

What is an intervention?

An intervention is a formal or informal conversation with loved ones, friends, or the employer about a person addicted to alcohol, drugs, or both. This step is usually taken when the negative consequences of using drugs and alcohol no longer are as important to the person as using the substance.  It also signifies the family’s, friends’ or employer’s public acknowledgement that addiction is interfering with the person’s functioning and that the family, friends or employer are no longer willing to enable the user.

The goal of any intervention is to get the addict into detox and treatment not just to get the user to abstain from drugs or alcohol. Remember that addiction has physical and psychological implications. An addict may be unable to cease consumption on demand. Since addiction is considered a disease of the brain, it requires treatment just as diabetes does. Would you tell a diabetic to remain abstinent without also seeking medical treatment for the disease?

Interventions are either formal or informal

  • Formal Interventions use a structured conversation with the guidance of a professional. A group of specially chosen individuals along with the addict discuss how his or her using has affected everyone’s life.
  • Informal Interventions are conversations with loved ones, friends or the employer who sit and discuss the addict’s problem and pattern of using. No professionals are involved in the informal intervention.

In any intervention whether formal or informal, it's important to approach the addict when he or she is not high or drunk and the group is prepared. While emotions will be expressed the whole dynamic of the discussion must be controlled. Here are some additional tips:

  • Stay calm
  • Couch your comments in concern
  • Avoid labeling the person an "alcoholic" or "addict"
  • Cite specific incidents resulting from the person's substance abuse "You were recently arrested for DWI."
  • Stick to what you know firsthand, not hearsay
  • Talk in "I statements," explaining how the person's behavior has effected you "When you drive drunk, I don't sleep all night."
  • Be prepared for denial and resentment
  • Be supportive and hopeful about change
    (source: Partnership for a Drug-Free America)

Once the formal or informal format has been decided upon, the group must then determine which modality of intervention will be used. A review of some of these intervention methods is below.

Confrontational interventions were developed in the 1960s. Confrontational methods of intervention may produce immediate results but they have not proven to have lasting results. These approaches are extremely stressful for the user, the family, friends or employer.

There are three different types of Confrontational intervention models.

  • Direct Confrontation Model: Loved ones, friends, or employer directly confront the addict/alcoholic about his or her using.
  • Indirect Confrontation Model: Family or friends seek outside help to deal with the user’s addiction.
  • Forcible Intervention: Civil liberties of the user are denied such as getting a doctor to sign for a person’s admittance to a hospital.

Today, research leans more toward motivational interventions.
These modalities of intervention include:

  • Motivational Interviewing: Open ended questions, listening, summaries, affirmations, addict accepts consequence of his or her behavior
  • Systemic: A series of actions that lead the addict to understand it is better not to use, avoidance of nagging, pleading, and threatening, combined with rewards for sober activities
  • Arise (A Relational Intervention Sequence of Engagement): Divided into three phases, 1) intervention meetings, consequences given when treatment is not sought, 2) individual and family get treatment, 3) relapse prevention
  • Craft  (Community Reinforcement and Family Training) Positive communication, rewards for sober behavior, increase family happiness, decrease in addict’s use, motivation for addict to seek treatment

Confrontational vs. Motivational Modalities

  • Confrontational approaches may work more quickly
  • Confrontational approaches tend to address the addict, rather than the entire family unit
  • Confrontational approaches may lead to higher treatment drop-out

Themes of Modern Interventions

  • Utilize motivation rather than confrontation
  • Invitational in nature rather than by surprise
  • Decreases the focus on the addicted individual
  • Focuses on need of entire family system
  • Focus on dignity and respect for the addict and family
  • May be effective in helping the addict decrease use without their direct participation

Interventions are not a one-size fits all event. The family history, the user’s medical and psychological state and a host of other factors will determine how to proceed with an intervention. Whether or not a professional is needed to guide the intervention is also dependent upon many factors. Regardless of whether the intervention is informal or formal, the addict is not to be degraded, criticized or humiliated. The purpose is to move the addict from addiction to recovery by getting him or her medical help and therapeutic treatment needed while exploring family dynamics as well.

Items within an Intervention Guide

Communication is the core of any intervention. It is not a moment to vent anger at the user, or to manipulate him or her with threats, fear, or guilt. It is a time when people share openly and honestly and listen carefully. It is best to be prepared for the intervention, know the goal, how it will be implemented, how to handle objections, or how to handle the addict’s rejection of the intervention to name a few issues that may arise.

Guide Elements Should Include:

Who Initiates an Intervention?

  • Family
  • Friends
  • Employer
  • Employee Addiction Programs
  • Professional licensing agencies
  • Law enforcement and legal means
  • Child protective services
  • Physicians
  • Therapist or counselor

 Call now for your free Internet Guide or down load a copy here. If you need information about getting help for yourself, a loved one, a friend or an employee call now and speak to a trained recovery coordinator. Help is available now.

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