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Intervention

An intervention is a planned process by which change is introduced into a person’s thoughts, feelings and behaviors.  There is a belief among some that interventions “do not work” and that the addict needs to “hit bottom” in order to be able to accept getting help.  Helping the addict or alcoholic face and confront his or her destructive behaviors in a safe, facilitated and planned environment–guided by a licensed interventionist–often times is the easier way to the bottom.

Alcoholism/drug addiction is progressive; why not intervene on the addict/alcoholic in a safe and contained atmosphere by a licensed interventionist where the outcome is getting your loved one into treatment immediately?  Without early intervention services, the consequences for the addict/alcoholic can be grave:

› Arrests (including long and short-term incarcerations)
› Accidents (auto, personal injury, work-related, harming others)
› Relationships severed (family arguments, separation, divorce, loss of time with children)
› Financial losses (business failures, legal and personal debt)
› Job loss or impairment (including professional license suspension)
› Progressive mental and health problems

The advantages of a facilitated intervention can be profound. The outcome of a successful intervention will be significant, meaningful, and positive changes to the addict’s life including:

› Superior education about the disease and recovery
› Less progressive destruction to the addict and the family
› Painful, devastating consequences halted and reduced
› Support and mediation for the addict and family
› Earlier treatment supporting a likelihood of successful recovery

Types of Interventions:

Emergency/Crisis Intervention
If the family feels that the addict is an imminent threat to him or herself–or others–a quickly organized intervention may occur. These interventions can be organized in merely hours, and aim to stop the immediate self-destructive and dangerous behaviors. This may be appropriate for someone on a drug or alcohol binge.

Executive Intervention
Workplace interventions may be performed in an attempt to help a colleague or employee salvage a career. These interventions are similar to the classic family intervention, but the intervention occurs with work colleagues, and is designed to clearly demonstrate to the addict how his or her use is affecting their career, the work of their colleagues, and the performance of the company. The addict is forced to accept that their abuse has compromised their ability to perform at work, and recognize that if they don’t accept help, then they are likely to lose their career.

Adolescent Intervention
An adolescent intervention can be more complicated, and as such, the services of an adolescent interventionist are often used. Adolescent intervention therapy works very similarly to a family style intervention.

Family Intervention
The most traditional style of intervention is the very effective family intervention. This type of intervention is planned thoroughly by an intervention specialist in advance, and is best for chronic users who, although displaying a destructive pattern of use, pose no immediate threat to themselves or others.

Intervening professionally often times saves the family and addict from ugly and progressive consequences. Although the choice seems clear as to whether an intervention sounds like the right thing to do, we understand that every individual case can be very complicated. At Recovery Hub, we are here to support you through the process every step of the way.