Intervention

An intervention is the process by which the addict's family, friends, counselors, or professional intervention specialists can show the addict his or her behaviors in a way that could result in them choosing to get help immediately. Almost anyone close to the addict or alcoholic can attend the intervention. Adult family members, children of the addict or alcoholic, members of the religious community, friends and colleagues of the addict, and significant others are all great people to have at an intervention. It is also a good idea to have a person trained in drug and alcohol interventions there. An intervention specialist can provide family and friends with what they need to conduct a safe and healthy intervention.

The goal of an intervention is not to cause the addict or alcoholic to suddenly get sober and never use drugs or drink again. The goal of an intervention is to convince the addict or alcoholic to get help immediately by entering a rehabilitation program, usually an inpatient rehab.

Interventions should happen in a safe environment with the full participation of every family member, fried or professional who has a stake in the outcome of it. All members of the intervention should write down in advance what they want to say to the addict or alcoholic. For instance they can write down how the addicted person's behavior has affected them, changes they have noticed, the impact it has had, and how much they love them. It is a really good idea to have an intervention specialist there to mediate because a lot of the times the loved ones of addicts and alcoholics have been harmed and as much as they try it can easily lead to anger. This also works in reverse, in which the family has hurt the addict to the point that anything can trigger an out bursts from the addict.

The last step to prepare for an intervention is to make sure there is a place for the addicted person to go should they decide they do want help. During the actual intervention everyone will read what they have written to the addicted person and tell them they think they should get help. They will also tell the addict what consequences will happen if they decide not to go to treatment (parents will stop enabling by providing drugs, money, a place to stay, a vehicle to drive, etc).