Addiction does not just affect the afflicted individual; it can tear apart entire families and cause decades of stress and heartache. Drug and alcohol dependency are ongoing problems in the United States and especially in Ohio, which had more than 4,000 unintentional overdose deaths in 2016 alone. With many families facing the challenge of addiction, some are turning to professional interventionists to confront loved ones about their substance abuse and get them some help.
See Related: Addiction Resource Guide For Family & Friends
What Is an Intervention?
An intervention is a planned conversation in which family members and friends ask a loved one to accept help for a substance use problem. The goal is not to shame or corner the person. It is to show them, clearly and with care, how their drinking or drug use is affecting them and the people around them, and to offer a specific path to treatment.
Interventions can be led by family members, but many families work with a professional interventionist, especially when there is a history of violence, mental illness, suicidal thoughts or past failed attempts.
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Types of Interventions
- Confrontational (Johnson-style) intervention: a surprise meeting where loved ones share prepared statements and ask the person to enter treatment right away.
- Invitational intervention: the person is invited to take part in planning from the start, so there is no surprise. The ARISE model is one example.
- Family systems intervention: focuses on how addiction affects the whole family and encourages everyone to make changes, not just the person using.
- CRAFT (Community Reinforcement and Family Training): not a single meeting but a structured approach that teaches family members how to encourage treatment through positive communication. Research shows it often helps people agree to enter treatment.
Role of an Interventionist
A role of an interventionist is to:
- Support friends and family of the addicted
- Teach safe intervention techniques
- Provide support before, during, and after an intervention
- Facilitate and guide the intervention
- Provide aftercare to the addicted person
If you are considering staging an intervention for a loved one with the help of a professional, there are a few things to consider.
With a rise in popularity of shows like TLC’s “Intervention,” many people are stepping into this arena without the proper training. This, unfortunately, means that there is a saturated market of untrained “interventionists” who can do more harm than good if unleashed unto an unsuspecting addict and his or her family. Moreover, these people can often charge thousands of dollars for their “services”. While addiction care and intervention are worth investing in, you must be careful when hiring someone and make sure that you have done your research on their qualifications and experience before trusting them to move ahead with an intervention. Make sure you thoroughly review an interventionist’s website, their reviews, and meet them in person before you use their services.
Choosing the Right Interventionist
Questions you should ask a potential interventionalist include:
- What are your credentials?
- How many interventions have you done?
- What intervention model(s) do you use?
- What steps do you take leading up to an intervention?
- What is your fee?
Speaking of credentials and qualifications, those in this field should hold a current ICRC/NAADAC certification or Ohio-recognized certification as well as malpractice insurance, 14 hours of training, and two years of experience conducting interventions in supervised settings.
Your Role in an Intervention
One of the most important things for an addicts family to remember is that just because they are paying an interventionist does not mean their responsibilities end there. It is up to loved ones to gather information, find out the extent of the addict’s problem, form a supportive network of family and friends, and make mindful choices on how to approach the problem. The interventionist’s role is to help guide you through all of this, but there is still substantial legwork to do if you want the intervention to be useful at getting the addicted person into rehab or a treatment program.
After you have done your research and your preparation, the actual intervention is the hardest part. This can be an emotionally charged interaction for all parties, especially because the addict will usually not be aware that an intervention is coming. With this in mind, it is imperative that you take the advice of your interventionalist and allow him or her to mediate the interaction. Similar to a family therapist, the interventionist’s job is to moderate the “panel” and give everyone a chance to share their thoughts and feelings honestly, but also respectfully and in a productive way.
A good interventionist’s job does not stop after the intervention meeting. Make sure you are following up with the interventionist at agreed-upon intervals because it is critical that he or she provides ongoing support to the addicted person and his or her loved ones to prevent a relapse. They should also be providing guidance on changing everyday living patterns to keep the addicted person on a positive path to recovery.
How to Stage an Intervention: Step by Step
- Get help planning. Talk with an interventionist, counselor or addiction professional about the best approach for your situation.
- Choose the team. Include people your loved one respects and trusts. Leave out anyone likely to lose their temper or who is using substances themselves.
- Learn about the problem. Understand the substance, the risks and what treatment involves.
- Line up treatment before the meeting. Check insurance, confirm a program can admit your loved one and plan transportation, so they can go the same day if they agree.
- Write what you want to say. Keep it short, specific and caring. Describe how the person’s use has affected you, and ask them to accept help.
- Decide on consequences. Each person should know what they will do if the answer is no, and be ready to follow through.
- Hold the meeting at a private time and place when your loved one is sober.
What to Say (and What to Avoid)
Use “I” statements that describe what you have seen and how it has affected you, such as “I was scared when you drove home after drinking.” Focus on love and concern, and end with a clear request: “Will you accept help today?”
Avoid labels like “addict” or “alcoholic,” blame, threats you won’t keep and arguing about details. If your loved one gets angry or leaves, stay calm. The conversation may still plant a seed.
After the Intervention: Getting Your Loved One Into Treatment
If your loved one agrees to get help, act quickly while they are ready. The Recovery Village Columbus admissions team can answer questions, verify insurance and arrange admission, often the same day when it’s medically appropriate. Walk-ins are also welcome. Most people start with medical detox and then move into inpatient rehab.
If your loved one says no, keep following through on the boundaries you set, and take care of yourself. Support groups such as Al-Anon and family therapy can help, and many people agree to treatment later.
Want to help a loved one struggling with addiction? Contact us to talk through your next steps and how to get your loved one into an addiction treatment program.
