Intervention Quick Guide


            The word “intervention” is commonly misunderstood. The Intervention Quick Guide was created to
            help clarify the term "intervention" – and to offer information on how to go about conducting one.

            So, what is an “intervention”?

            Talking to the person you’re concerned about is called an “intervention.” There are two types of interventions –
            informal and formal.

            An informal intervention means having a personal discussion with the person you’re concerned about. This
            could be as simple as asking a few questions or making a couple of observations.

A formal intervention means having a structured conversation with
the person. This involves bringing together a group of people with
the substance user to explore how his or her use has affected all
their lives. The formal intervention is usually used when the person
has repeatedly refused to get help.

The point of any intervention is to ask the person to take concrete
steps to address the problem and lead them to the help they need
(i.e. go for an evaluation, attend counseling, enter in- or out-patient
treatment).

The key point is not to wait for your loved one to “bottom out,” have a
            car crash or develop some serious health problem before you address your concerns. Do something now.
            Remember, addiction is treatable. And there are sensitive, trained healthcare providers who can help you
            decide how to proceed.

            In any intervention – informal or formal – it’s important to approach your loved one when he or she is not high or
            drunk – and when you’re not deeply upset.

            Here are some additional tips:

                  • Stay calm

                  • Use a tone of 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 affected you (“When you drive drunk, I
                    don’t sleep all night.”)

                  • Be prepared for denial and resentment

                  • Be supportive and hopeful about change

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            What are the necessary steps for a formal intervention?

            A formal or structured intervention is a group meeting designed to help the substance user understand the
            problem and the need to take action and seek treatment.

            The first step in a formal intervention is to gather all the significant people in the substance user’s life,
            such as immediate and extended family members, physicians, friends, employers, coworkers, religious advisors,
            neighbors – anyone who can describe the physical and emotional changes and damages they see
            and experience.

            Next this group meets with a professional, such as a family therapist or substance abuse counselor, to learn
            how to express their concern in a constructive way. The professional educates them about what to expect during
            the intervention and afterwards, and how they can organize their comments to avoid blaming and to increase the
            chance that the person will hear their messages.

            Then, the group of concerned individuals and their professional
            guide meet with the substance user for a conversation. They
            express caring and concern, presenting facts about the impact that
            the substance use has had on them. They convey that they are
            unwilling to continue to overlook the damage that substance use is
            having on the person in need and on many others. They press the
            person to admit that a substance abuse problem exists and that it is
            causing many other problems.

            The goal of an intervention is to get the person to agree to get
            help (attend a treatment program) immediately. Just promising to
            stop is considered an unacceptable outcome. Participants must clearly spell out the consequences each will
            impose if the person refuses treatment. These types of ultimatums can have life-shattering implications, which is
            why including a professional guide is so important.

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            10 Tips for a Formal Intervention
            Goal: to have the person begin treatment immediately.

            1. Enlist a professional to help plan the intervention.

            2. Bring together the people most significant to the user (3 to 6 is best, no children) – the people who are
                concerned and who have clout with him or her. Only include people who are comfortable with the process.

            3. Have a plan – decide who is going to say what.

            4. Make all arrangements for the person to begin treatment immediately following the intervention. Know the
                insurance details and which hospital or treatment facility.

            5. Identify the objections you might hear from the substance user and be prepared to answer each one.

            6. Decide what consequences you’re prepared to follow through with if the person refuses to enter treatment.
                For a teenager, it might be: “we will file a petition with the court to have you placed in treatment.” For a spouse:
                “I will no longer cover up for you,” or even: “I won’t remain in this relationship with you.”

            7. Be prepared to follow through with these consequences if treatment is refused.

            8. Tell the person that you care about him or her, but explain what you are concerned about. Bring a list of
                examples.

            9. Rehearse the intervention at least once. Know your roles.

            10. Get a commitment from the person that they’re willing to get help and get them there immediately.

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            Mandating Treatment

The vast majority of people who enter substance abuse treatment do so because
of external pressure. Research has shown that required, or mandated treatment
is an effective motivator. Keep in mind that involuntary treatment can work just as
well as voluntary treatment.

Why would people change if they are being forced? Wouldn’t they change faster
if they sought treatment voluntarily? Perhaps. But by mandating treatment, people
are left with a choice: enter treatment, or lose something important to them.
For example:

      • Individuals arrested for driving while intoxicated may be ordered by the court
        to attend a driver education program and receive weekly counseling to avoid
        jail and keep their driver’s license.

      • Mothers whose ability to care for their children is compromised due to
        substance use disorders may be required to attend treatment so their
        children are not placed in foster care.

                  • Employees found using substances on the job may be required to attend substance abuse treatment or
                    lose their job.

            The threat of losing important relationships, good health or reputation may motivate some to enter treatment,
            even if they are not enthusiastic about doing so. For this reason, the person in need should clearly hear that
            friends and family members will lose trust, respect and even regular contact if the substance use continues.

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            What about requiring abstinence?

            Some families tell the person to stop all drinking and drug use. However, complying can be difficult –
            uncontrollable alcohol or other drug craving, seeking and use is the hallmark of addiction. If you decide to give
            an ultimatum, require treatment, not abstinence. People who engage in treatment will be better able to achieve
            abstinence because they will be given the medical attention and emotional support they need to maintain
            abstinence over the long term.

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            What about people who recover without going to treatment?

            While treatment is not absolutely necessary for recovery, a person’s ability to recover without treatment varies
            widely. Some people use prayer, self-help groups, active church participation, the power of example or a very
            supportive employer or group of friends to recover. Others don’t have the same network or life philosophy. A
            health care professional or substance abuse counselor will be able to help you make treatment decisions.

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            What if my loved one relapses?

            Since addiction is a chronic disease, relapses do occur. If this happens, don’t lose
            hope. A relapse doesn’t mean that the person isn’t trying, or that his/her recovery
            is “failing.” The majority of people with addictions who are in recovery suffer at
            least one relapse along the way.

            If relapse occurs, get back in touch with the professional or self-help group that
            you’ve worked with in the past, and prepare to intervene again. But remember,
            ultimately you are not in control of whether your loved one stays in recovery. You
            can only control how you react to his or her behavior – and how you conduct your
            own life.

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            Intervention Resources

            For more information about formal interventions, or to find someone who can help
            you, contact The National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence National Intervention Network at
            1-800-622-2255 or www.ncadd.org/programs/nin/index.html or the Intervention Resource Center at
            1-888-421-4321 or www.interventioninfo.org.

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            Source:
            www.drugfree.org