Intervention

The Role of Intervention in Addiction Treatments

There are many factors that can go against the progress of one's addiction recovery. Sometimes, an Intervention is needed to bring the problem to light. An interventionist is a professional who can pinpoint substance addiction problems in any home. They are typically called by the family of an addicted individual when they find that they can no longer control the behavioral changes of their loved one. Intervention is also necessary when the family shows "enabling" characteristics which promote, rather than stop an individual's addiction.

Denial is the greatest enemy.

Someone who is addicted to a substance may not see the value of professional Intervention during the initial stages of treatment, because the addicted individual is often the last one to know of the seriousness of his/her situation. Substance-dependent individuals are not in the right frame of mind and may need an outsider to make the situation obvious to them. The declaration may be unwelcome and the addict may brush your advice off, but many also become very agitated and some might even get violent. A professional is experienced in dealing with addicted individuals and their behavior, and is the best equipped to convince them to treatment.

Intervention is crucial especially in a household where every member is affected by one of its members' substance abuse. For example, if the addict's parents are denying their child's alcoholism or addiction regardless of his or her aggressive behavior and social or legal problems, a professional interventionist will be able to confront and help to resolve all of the problems within the family unit.

Families are enabling.

Sometimes, tough love is the best way to help an addict. When this is too difficult, a professional can host an Intervention to help where the family cannot. An Intervention is necessary in all households, even for family members who are extremely close. Family members are often too emotionally attached to the addicted person to help him out of the substance abuse.

Someone who is professionally trained at Intervention can be the level-headed, objective "bad guy." This professional can enforce discipline back into the addicted individual and make him/her see that something is wrong. While some parents or siblings may be able to pull themselves away from the situation and do the right thing, not all family members can steel themselves enough to send their loved one to the rehabilitation center. It is better to call a professional to intervene when you're too emotionally involved to help your loved one recover from his or her addiction.

Keeping things in the right perspective.

Even after detox and in-patient rehabilitation programs, the role of an interventionist is still vital. Family members are oriented about the recovering addict's situation, but they are not always strong enough to provide 100% support. Out-patient counseling offers additional support through group sessions and one-on-one meetings. This way, trained professionals can monitor the recovering addict's progress and give a lending hand if regressions occur.

Frequently Asked Questions about Interventions:

Q: Will my call be kept confidential?
A: Yes, strictly so. It is recorded for quality control purposes only.

Q: How many people need to be involved in the intervention?
A: Only those who are dedicated to carrying out the tough love to the addict in denial. The optimal number may be as few as 1 and as many as want to come to be there and are materially important to the process. We've even conducted interventions with only the interventionist and the addict present, with family members on the phone.

Q: How do I know if the interventionist is the correct one for our loved one?
A: Our intervention coordinator works with a roster of highly qualified, experienced interventionists. She selects one based on the call you have with her. She encourages you to determine whether the selection is appropriate, based on how your questions are answered and an instinctive "chemistry" you feel from your call.

Q: What happens after I select the interventionist?
A: The coordinator will inform the selected interventionist of choice. You will then receive a follow up call from the interventionist, beginning the process of identifying attendees, location for the event, travel logistics, if needed, and the details of the presentations and discussion format that will take place.

Q: When and where does the intervention occur?
A: At a time and place you determine. Usually this is between one and three days after your initial call. The attendees will be informed how to maintain the element of surprise for the addict, which is of the utmost importance. All involved must be prepared to act quickly because saving a life means time is of the essence.

Q: When do we actually get to meet the interventionist in person?
A: He or she will arrive a day early to meet with all attendees to rehearse all parts of the next day's intervention.

Q: What can I expect to happen at the intervention?
A: A lot of openness, rigorous honesty, heartfelt tough love, tears and hugging. You may also see the addict initially display anger, hostility, resentment, a desire to run away from the group and emotional distance.

Q: So what is the purpose of the intervention?
A: Simply put, to get the addict to become willing to leave the intervention and enter detox and rehab immediately, accompanied to the facility by the interventionist.

Q: But what if the addict hasn't yet "hit bottom"?
A: The intervention process is, among other things, a way to bring the bottom to him.

Q: What percent of addicts actually go directly into treatment from an intervention?
A: Our team has a very high success rate, over 90 percent consistently.

Q: What about the few who do not go into treatment?
A: There are times when an intervention may have to be reassembled the following day or a few days later, generally due to the addict "coming to his senses" once the family's post-intervention consequences are put in place. Some decide later to come into treatment without those consequences forcing them to do so. Our success rate permits us to guarantee our interventions.

Q: What does it mean when an interventionist says that their services are guaranteed?
A: The interventionist will refund the cost of the intervention if your loved one does not go into treatment.

Q: Are intervention costs covered by insurance?
A: While interventions are a vital, if not all important part in actually saving someone's life, the insurance industry has yet to adopt this as an insured item.

Q: What does an intervention cost?
A: The cost for intervention services can vary depending on the situation, ability to pay for an intervention should NEVER be the deciding factor. There are programs that will offer free support on setting up an intervention. There are low-cost intervention services as well. Some interventions cost upwards of $4,000 however, these intervention services usually are coupled with long-term follow ups and guarantees. Please remember, no matter what, you and your loved-one can be helped. Finances should not stand in the way of organizing an intervention. If you need assistance, please call theRecovery Now TV helpline.