Nothing is more heartbreaking than discovering that a loved one is suffering from a problem with addiction or alcoholism, except when that loved one shows no interest in getting help for it.  Once an addiction issue has become known family and friends of the addict or alcoholic become hypervigilant to the behaviors and activity of the sick person.  They watch as their loved one spirals further into their disease wishing they could do or say something to help. It is important to understand that an opportunity to be helpful may be missed without proper tact and strategy.  Flippant comments or criticisms towards the addict or alcoholic will only make matters worse or create more distance.  Without the right approach, attempting to help the addict could cause them become more isolated or dishonest.  In situations like these an intervention can be a valuable tool towards helping your loved one.

What is an intervention?

An intervention is a premeditated and coordinated event requiring the collaboration of friends and family with the purpose of encouraging or convincing an addicted or alcoholic loved one to finally commit to and enter into an addiction treatment center to start their path to recovery.

How an Intervention is Conducted

Interventions can be performed either independently or with the aid and assistance of a professional interventionist. There are essentially four stages to preparing for intervention process which require diligence and coordination.   The Who, What, Where and When of addiction intervention is explained:

Note: If an intervention is to be conducted without the help of a professional interventionist it is ideal to appoint a person to coordinate the entire process.  This person would be responsible for identifying and contacting all the people who would add value to the intervention being a success and scheduling the intervention and setting up the subsequent addiction treatment center where the addict or alcoholic would go should the intervention be successful.

Who: It is important to make a decision of who will attend the intervention.  Typically, the group consists of close family and friends who the addict or alcoholic respects and could be positively influenced by.  Attendees may include coworkers, church members or other people from their social circle.  

What: Each person who attends the intervention should prepare a short presentation to share during the intervention.  Their presentation should discuss how they feel about their loved one and their disease.  They might include things about how much better the addict’s or alcoholic’s life was prior to the substance abuse problem.  They might point out their social, physical and mental deterioration.  They may remind them of what they are capable of if they were to stop and what they are missing out on during their active substance abuse. 

Where:  It is important to pick a comfortable place easily accessible to everyone who will be involved or perhaps a place that has meaning to the sufferer. Make sure there is plenty of space for everyone to gather in a seated group.  It must be a welcoming location but not one that makes your loved one feel trapped.

When: Pick a time when everyone will be able available to attend without any barriers.  Ensure that the person for whom the intervention will be performed is not notified as the element of surprise is important to the intervention being successful.  If the addict or alcoholic has time to think about the intervention prior to the event they will have time to develop reasons and excuses as to why now is not the right time. They may plea if they were just given another chance, they would surely stop this time.